Tech News Weekly 420: CES's Best Smart Home Tech (January 15, 2026)

Host: Micah Sargent
Guests: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy (The Verge), Carry One (ZDNet)

Episode Overview

This episode of Tech News Weekly dives deep into the latest and greatest in smart home technology unveiled at CES 2026, offering listeners an inside look at both innovation and oddities in the sector. The show spotlights how smart home products have evolved from niche gadgets to viable, practical tools now firmly rooted in daily life, largely thanks to industry standards like Matter. The conversation with Jennifer Pattison Tuohy covers standout products, smart home trends, and some truly weird robots, while Carry One discusses his immersive NBA viewing experience with Apple's Vision Pro. Host Micah Sargent rounds out the show with a vital warning about major Bluetooth security flaws affecting millions of devices.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of Smart Home Tech at CES 2026

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([02:26])

Main Theme:
2026 marked the year smart home technology really became mainstream at CES, shifting from pie-in-the-sky concepts to practical, functional consumer products.
Industry Maturation:
The introduction and adoption of the Matter standard has finally allowed manufacturers to stop worrying about compatibility and instead focus on real innovation.
Quote:

"This was the year that the smart home kind of went from being a bit of a quirky oddity to being really quite mainstream in CES... now they can just use the standards. So like Matter." — Jennifer [02:26]

Timestamps

[02:26] — Smart home moves from fringe to mainstream
[04:51] — How standards (like Matter) have enabled real-world products

2. Current & Next Trends: Smart Homes that Learn

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([06:11])

Adaptive Intelligence:
Discussed emerging features that allow smart homes to react based on user behavior (adaptive routines, behaviors, “hunches").
Apple Home’s Adaptive Temperature:
New features let thermostats adjust based on any connected sensor—not just proprietary ones—leveraging data across the whole smart home.
Quote:

"Now they have the foundation... Apple can be confident that if a sensor works with Matter, it will be compatible with their system. Then they can layer this extra experience on top..." — Jennifer [08:13]
Next Frontier:
Generative AI and ambient intelligence are poised to make homes even more responsive and personalized, though this may still be a year or two out.

Timestamps

[06:11] — Progress in home automation and proactive routines
[08:13] — Apple Home’s adaptive heating/cooling feature
[10:51] — Ambient AI and future "intelligent" smart homes

3. CES 2026: The Weird and the Wacky

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([14:48])

Robot Pets:
Cute, cuddly, and... pointless? Many robots were designed to be companions, but did little more than look adorable (and sometimes creepy).
Quote:

"We actually were all quite captivated by Little Milo, which was a bit weird. I kind of felt like, this is weird that I am interested and attracted in weird ways to this thing... but it doesn't really do anything." — Jennifer [14:48]
Robot Mishaps:
Jennifer recounts an incident where a 170-lb humanoid robot (Jupiter, from Xeroth) collapsed on her due to a power-off error:

"Apparently the person that was controlling it accidentally hit the off button and it just went straight onto me." — Jennifer [16:53]
Legged Robots: A Bad Idea?
Most household robots on wheels/tracks are safer than humanoids with legs, which often fell over at the show.

Timestamps

[14:48] — Cute but functionless robot pets
[16:48] — Robot (Jupiter) falls on Jennifer
[19:04] — "Why do they need legs?" discussion

4. CES’s Best Smart Home Tech: Highlights

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([20:36])

Top Picks:

Roborock Saros Rover
The first robot vacuum that can climb and clean stairs.

"This is the most exciting part—clean the stairs as it climbs them." — Jennifer [21:06]
Aqara U400 Smart Lock
First to support Apple Home Key hands-free unlock via UWB, and ready for cross-ecosystem compatibility via the new Allegro standard.

"The first smart lock to work with Apple Home's hands free unlocking Home Key feature... As you walk towards your door, it unlocks." — Jennifer [22:22] "Tested this lock... It's a really great experience. No, it will not unlock as you are walking from inside your house to the door, it knows direction." — Jennifer [24:13]
LIFX Smart Mirror ([27:48])
A smart mirror with ambient lighting and programmable Matter-connected buttons—can even link to garage doors or other devices.

"There’s one currently Matter compatible garage door opener... you could hit the button on your way out and it would open your garage door for you." — Jennifer [28:37]

Timestamps

[20:49] — Roborock stair-climbing vacuum
[22:22] — Aqara U400 smart lock w/ UWB
[27:48] — LIFX smart mirror

5. Bluetooth Security Warning: Whisper Pair Vulnerabilities

Host: Micah Sargent ([29:58])

Critical Vulnerability:
Hundreds of millions of Bluetooth audio devices using Google's Fast Pair protocol can be hijacked, tracked, or have microphones activated remotely.
Scope:
Includes major brands—Sony, Google, JBL, Jabra, and more.
Details:
Attackers within 50 feet can:
- Hijack audio streams/play their own sounds.
- Secretly activate microphones.
- Link devices to their Google accounts for tracking via FindHub.
Quote (Google):

"We worked with these researchers to fix these vulnerabilities and we have not seen evidence of any exploitation outside of this report’s lab settings..." — Google ([36:46])
Patching Issues:
- Many devices unlikely to get updates.
- Some vendor patches already circumvented by researchers.
- Most users unaware of firmware update process.
Advice:
Check the published device list for vulnerabilities and request updates from manufacturers.

Timestamps

[29:58] — Intro to the Bluetooth vulnerability segment
[33:55] — Details on attack methods and scope
[36:46] — Vendor responses, patch status, and call to action

6. Immersive Courtside NBA in Apple Vision Pro

Guest: Carry One, ZDNet ([41:12])

Spectrum Front Row:
New Vision Pro feature lets users watch NBA games "courtside" in immersive mixed reality.
Immersion:
Viewers can appreciate details like "textures of the players' jerseys, sweat drippings," and interactively experience player interactions between plays.

"You're essentially in the front row of a basketball game... as close to basically front row as you can get without spending upwards of $10,000." — Carry One [41:59]
Social Aspects:
The experience is more solitary than traditional sports viewing, lacking the communal effect and live social feeds.

"It does feel very isolating... you don't have a person sitting next to you that you could high five." — Carry One [44:08]
Hardware & Comfort:
Wearing the Vision Pro for an entire game is manageable, especially with the new dual knit headband, but breaks are advised.

"Maybe 30 minutes in or an hour in... I felt like I just needed to take the headset off, take a breather..." — Carry One [46:22]
Broadcast Production:
Multiple camera angles are produced for the viewer, similar to a live broadcast, handled automatically:

"The big similarity... is that it is fully produced... all sort of controlled and programmed for you, so you don't actually have to manually select which camera angle you want." — Carry One [49:07]
What’s Missing:
No integrated social media or live stats, so avid fans may miss the broader experience of sports chatter and live commentary on platforms like X (Twitter).

"There are all elements that were absent from the experience..." — Carry One [51:01]
Future of Immersive Sports:
These experiences are unique and likely to expand, but hardware price is still an obstacle.

Timestamps

[41:12] — Introducing Vision Pro’s NBA courtside feature
[44:08] — Social & communal experience discussion
[46:22] — Hardware comfort and usability
[49:07] — Production quality and camera angles
[51:01] — Lacking live social components
[52:45] — Prediction for the future of immersive sports

Notable Quotes

On Smart Home Standards:

"Once we have these standards, then we can start to build more value on top of the smart home. And I feel like this year that was kind of the first year where we really saw that foundation actually bearing some fruit." — Jennifer [04:51]
On Robots at CES:

"My takeaway from CES robots was we do not need ones with legs... you have this a full-size human man, basically, that fell on me." — Jennifer [18:20]
On the Aqara U400 Smart Lock:

"The first smart lock to work with Apple Home's hands free unlocking... and it's going to, I think, make smart locks make so much more sense to everyone." — Jennifer [22:22]
On Bluetooth Security Flaw:

"Most consumers are probably not going to install [patches]... this is a problem that's going to exist for who knows how long, you know, as long as people have these devices." — Micah [36:46]
On Immersive NBA Experience:

"You’re essentially in the front row of a basketball game... it is as close to basically front row as you can get without spending upwards of $10,000..." — Carry One [41:59]
On Disconnection in VR Sports:

"You don't have a person sitting next to you that you could high five every time someone makes a shot or... other people cheering alongside of you. So sometimes when you are cheering, it can feel more awkward than anything." — Carry One [44:08]

Where to Find the Guests

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy:
- TheVerge.com
- Instagram/TikTok: @mathomema
- See the video of the robot falling on her: The Verge YouTube channel ([29:28])
Carry One:
- ZDNet.com

Episode Flow

[00:00] Introduction and rundown of episode themes
[01:19] Jennifer Pattison Tuohy on the mainstreaming of smart home tech
[14:48] CES oddities: robots, mishaps, and the reality of humanoid machines
[20:49] The best new smart home tech: robot stairs vacuum, hands-free smart locks, and smart mirrors
[29:58] Security warning: Bluetooth Fast Pair exploits affecting millions
[41:12] Courtside in Mixed Reality: Vision Pro’s immersive NBA experience, pros and cons
[54:47] Closing thoughts, where to find the guests

Summary Takeaways

Smart home technology is now mature, reliable, and accessible thanks to standards like Matter.
New innovation is focusing on leveraging sensors, AI, and automation for more personalized and proactive smart homes.
CES 2026 had no shortage of robots—some practical, some bizarre, and some hazardous.
Top new products include a true stair-climbing robot vacuum, advanced hands-free smart locks, and an adaptable, programmable smart mirror.
A serious Bluetooth vulnerability affects millions of audio devices; users should check their devices and update firmware.
Immersive VR sports viewing like Apple's Spectrum Front Row offers a stunning, quality experience, though it feels isolating without social integration and is hampered by Vision Pro’s high price.

For more details and the full experience, listen to Tech News Weekly 420 or visit TWiT.tv.

Tech News Weekly 420: CES's Best Smart Home Tech (January 15, 2026)

Host: Micah Sargent
Guests: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy (The Verge), Carry One (ZDNet)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of Smart Home Tech at CES 2026

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([02:26])

Main Theme:
2026 marked the year smart home technology really became mainstream at CES, shifting from pie-in-the-sky concepts to practical, functional consumer products.
Industry Maturation:
The introduction and adoption of the Matter standard has finally allowed manufacturers to stop worrying about compatibility and instead focus on real innovation.
Quote:

"This was the year that the smart home kind of went from being a bit of a quirky oddity to being really quite mainstream in CES... now they can just use the standards. So like Matter." — Jennifer [02:26]

Timestamps

[02:26] — Smart home moves from fringe to mainstream
[04:51] — How standards (like Matter) have enabled real-world products

2. Current & Next Trends: Smart Homes that Learn

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([06:11])

Adaptive Intelligence:
Discussed emerging features that allow smart homes to react based on user behavior (adaptive routines, behaviors, “hunches").
Apple Home’s Adaptive Temperature:
New features let thermostats adjust based on any connected sensor—not just proprietary ones—leveraging data across the whole smart home.
Quote:

"Now they have the foundation... Apple can be confident that if a sensor works with Matter, it will be compatible with their system. Then they can layer this extra experience on top..." — Jennifer [08:13]
Next Frontier:
Generative AI and ambient intelligence are poised to make homes even more responsive and personalized, though this may still be a year or two out.

Timestamps

[06:11] — Progress in home automation and proactive routines
[08:13] — Apple Home’s adaptive heating/cooling feature
[10:51] — Ambient AI and future "intelligent" smart homes

3. CES 2026: The Weird and the Wacky

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([14:48])

Robot Pets:
Cute, cuddly, and... pointless? Many robots were designed to be companions, but did little more than look adorable (and sometimes creepy).
Quote:

"We actually were all quite captivated by Little Milo, which was a bit weird. I kind of felt like, this is weird that I am interested and attracted in weird ways to this thing... but it doesn't really do anything." — Jennifer [14:48]
Robot Mishaps:
Jennifer recounts an incident where a 170-lb humanoid robot (Jupiter, from Xeroth) collapsed on her due to a power-off error:

"Apparently the person that was controlling it accidentally hit the off button and it just went straight onto me." — Jennifer [16:53]
Legged Robots: A Bad Idea?
Most household robots on wheels/tracks are safer than humanoids with legs, which often fell over at the show.

Timestamps

[14:48] — Cute but functionless robot pets
[16:48] — Robot (Jupiter) falls on Jennifer
[19:04] — "Why do they need legs?" discussion

4. CES’s Best Smart Home Tech: Highlights

Guest: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy ([20:36])

Top Picks:

Roborock Saros Rover
The first robot vacuum that can climb and clean stairs.

"This is the most exciting part—clean the stairs as it climbs them." — Jennifer [21:06]
Aqara U400 Smart Lock
First to support Apple Home Key hands-free unlock via UWB, and ready for cross-ecosystem compatibility via the new Allegro standard.

"The first smart lock to work with Apple Home's hands free unlocking Home Key feature... As you walk towards your door, it unlocks." — Jennifer [22:22] "Tested this lock... It's a really great experience. No, it will not unlock as you are walking from inside your house to the door, it knows direction." — Jennifer [24:13]
LIFX Smart Mirror ([27:48])
A smart mirror with ambient lighting and programmable Matter-connected buttons—can even link to garage doors or other devices.

"There’s one currently Matter compatible garage door opener... you could hit the button on your way out and it would open your garage door for you." — Jennifer [28:37]

Timestamps

[20:49] — Roborock stair-climbing vacuum
[22:22] — Aqara U400 smart lock w/ UWB
[27:48] — LIFX smart mirror

5. Bluetooth Security Warning: Whisper Pair Vulnerabilities

Host: Micah Sargent ([29:58])

Critical Vulnerability:
Hundreds of millions of Bluetooth audio devices using Google's Fast Pair protocol can be hijacked, tracked, or have microphones activated remotely.
Scope:
Includes major brands—Sony, Google, JBL, Jabra, and more.
Details:
Attackers within 50 feet can:
- Hijack audio streams/play their own sounds.
- Secretly activate microphones.
- Link devices to their Google accounts for tracking via FindHub.
Quote (Google):

"We worked with these researchers to fix these vulnerabilities and we have not seen evidence of any exploitation outside of this report’s lab settings..." — Google ([36:46])
Patching Issues:
- Many devices unlikely to get updates.
- Some vendor patches already circumvented by researchers.
- Most users unaware of firmware update process.
Advice:
Check the published device list for vulnerabilities and request updates from manufacturers.

Timestamps

[29:58] — Intro to the Bluetooth vulnerability segment
[33:55] — Details on attack methods and scope
[36:46] — Vendor responses, patch status, and call to action

6. Immersive Courtside NBA in Apple Vision Pro

Guest: Carry One, ZDNet ([41:12])

Spectrum Front Row:
New Vision Pro feature lets users watch NBA games "courtside" in immersive mixed reality.
Immersion:
Viewers can appreciate details like "textures of the players' jerseys, sweat drippings," and interactively experience player interactions between plays.

"You're essentially in the front row of a basketball game... as close to basically front row as you can get without spending upwards of $10,000." — Carry One [41:59]
Social Aspects:
The experience is more solitary than traditional sports viewing, lacking the communal effect and live social feeds.

"It does feel very isolating... you don't have a person sitting next to you that you could high five." — Carry One [44:08]
Hardware & Comfort:
Wearing the Vision Pro for an entire game is manageable, especially with the new dual knit headband, but breaks are advised.

"Maybe 30 minutes in or an hour in... I felt like I just needed to take the headset off, take a breather..." — Carry One [46:22]
Broadcast Production:
Multiple camera angles are produced for the viewer, similar to a live broadcast, handled automatically:

"The big similarity... is that it is fully produced... all sort of controlled and programmed for you, so you don't actually have to manually select which camera angle you want." — Carry One [49:07]
What’s Missing:
No integrated social media or live stats, so avid fans may miss the broader experience of sports chatter and live commentary on platforms like X (Twitter).

"There are all elements that were absent from the experience..." — Carry One [51:01]
Future of Immersive Sports:
These experiences are unique and likely to expand, but hardware price is still an obstacle.

Timestamps

[41:12] — Introducing Vision Pro’s NBA courtside feature
[44:08] — Social & communal experience discussion
[46:22] — Hardware comfort and usability
[49:07] — Production quality and camera angles
[51:01] — Lacking live social components
[52:45] — Prediction for the future of immersive sports

Notable Quotes

On Smart Home Standards:

"Once we have these standards, then we can start to build more value on top of the smart home. And I feel like this year that was kind of the first year where we really saw that foundation actually bearing some fruit." — Jennifer [04:51]
On Robots at CES:

"My takeaway from CES robots was we do not need ones with legs... you have this a full-size human man, basically, that fell on me." — Jennifer [18:20]
On the Aqara U400 Smart Lock:

"The first smart lock to work with Apple Home's hands free unlocking... and it's going to, I think, make smart locks make so much more sense to everyone." — Jennifer [22:22]
On Bluetooth Security Flaw:

"Most consumers are probably not going to install [patches]... this is a problem that's going to exist for who knows how long, you know, as long as people have these devices." — Micah [36:46]
On Immersive NBA Experience:

"You’re essentially in the front row of a basketball game... it is as close to basically front row as you can get without spending upwards of $10,000..." — Carry One [41:59]
On Disconnection in VR Sports:

"You don't have a person sitting next to you that you could high five every time someone makes a shot or... other people cheering alongside of you. So sometimes when you are cheering, it can feel more awkward than anything." — Carry One [44:08]

Where to Find the Guests

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy:
- TheVerge.com
- Instagram/TikTok: @mathomema
- See the video of the robot falling on her: The Verge YouTube channel ([29:28])
Carry One:
- ZDNet.com

Episode Flow

[00:00] Introduction and rundown of episode themes
[01:19] Jennifer Pattison Tuohy on the mainstreaming of smart home tech
[14:48] CES oddities: robots, mishaps, and the reality of humanoid machines
[20:49] The best new smart home tech: robot stairs vacuum, hands-free smart locks, and smart mirrors
[29:58] Security warning: Bluetooth Fast Pair exploits affecting millions
[41:12] Courtside in Mixed Reality: Vision Pro’s immersive NBA experience, pros and cons
[54:47] Closing thoughts, where to find the guests

Summary Takeaways

Smart home technology is now mature, reliable, and accessible thanks to standards like Matter.
New innovation is focusing on leveraging sensors, AI, and automation for more personalized and proactive smart homes.
CES 2026 had no shortage of robots—some practical, some bizarre, and some hazardous.
Top new products include a true stair-climbing robot vacuum, advanced hands-free smart locks, and an adaptable, programmable smart mirror.
A serious Bluetooth vulnerability affects millions of audio devices; users should check their devices and update firmware.
Immersive VR sports viewing like Apple's Spectrum Front Row offers a stunning, quality experience, though it feels isolating without social integration and is hampered by Vision Pro’s high price.

For more details and the full experience, listen to Tech News Weekly 420 or visit TWiT.tv.

Tech News Weekly 420: CES's Best Smart Home Tech

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Summary

Tech News Weekly 420: CES's Best Smart Home Tech (January 15, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of Smart Home Tech at CES 2026

Timestamps

2. Current & Next Trends: Smart Homes that Learn

Timestamps

3. CES 2026: The Weird and the Wacky

Timestamps

4. CES’s Best Smart Home Tech: Highlights

Timestamps

5. Bluetooth Security Warning: Whisper Pair Vulnerabilities

Timestamps

6. Immersive Courtside NBA in Apple Vision Pro

Timestamps

Notable Quotes

Where to Find the Guests

Episode Flow

Summary Takeaways

Summary

Tech News Weekly 420: CES's Best Smart Home Tech (January 15, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of Smart Home Tech at CES 2026

Timestamps

2. Current & Next Trends: Smart Homes that Learn

Timestamps

3. CES 2026: The Weird and the Wacky

Timestamps

4. CES’s Best Smart Home Tech: Highlights

Timestamps

5. Bluetooth Security Warning: Whisper Pair Vulnerabilities

Timestamps

6. Immersive Courtside NBA in Apple Vision Pro

Timestamps

Notable Quotes

Where to Find the Guests

Episode Flow

Summary Takeaways