9 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

Hands-on

Let me tell you about this very excellent USB-C wall chargerLet me tell you about this very excellent USB-C wall charger
Elgato’s new HDMI 2.1 capture cards are finally here for Xbox Series X and PS5 streamingElgato’s new HDMI 2.1 capture cards are finally here for Xbox Series X and PS5 streaming
Google’s Pixel 8 phones now come in a new mint colorGoogle’s Pixel 8 phones now come in a new mint color
Apple Vision Pro hands-on, again, for the first time

I know what I saw, but I’m still trying to figure out where this headset fits in real life.

Victoria Song
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Wearing a German Bionic exoskeleton was an awesome and deeply weird experience.

The German Bionic Apogee+ is designed to protect backs of medical workers lifting patients out of beds and wheelchairs. It robotically lifts 66 pounds from lower back onto hips and legs, plus adds handles for patients to grab. Hours of use from a small Makita power tool battery!

It didn’t make me feel stronger or faster — except the new robotic spine automatically lifting me upright. It’s designed to be shared among a crew of workers for $9,900.

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
I can confirm GeForce Now works better with new G-Sync support.

The service will soon support Nvidia-blessed VRR monitors, and — if your game’s running above 40fps but struggling to hit 60 — it helps! I saw a lil less tearing and visual weirdness as I moved around in Cyberpunk.

It’s less helpful if you’re not in the sweet spot, cuz Nvidia auto-lowers resolution when framerate goes too low. G-Sync is also exclusive to Nvidia’s Ultimate tier, but that’s the only flavor I recommend anyhow.

Nvidia had two identical setups on display, one with G-Sync and one without. Both were running on MacBooks, BTW.
Nvidia had two identical setups on display, one with G-Sync and one without. Both were running on MacBooks, BTW.
Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
The Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair’s “6D lumbar” isn’t just a gimmick.

I’ve poked some fun at Razer’s me-too gaming chairs since the beginning, but the new Razer Iskur V2’s lumbar support is nice!

I tend to lean left and right in my seat, and the “6D” lumbar comfortably tilted with me at CES. The other “Ds” are how lumbar can adjust in/out/up/down with big dials on left and right. Does it stay this comfy after hours of sitting? Here’s hoping!

Pulling up on one side of the cushion in an attempt to show that it tilts left and right as you move.
Pulling up on one side of the cushion in an attempt to show that it tilts left and right as you move.
Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
I rode in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 with wheels that go sidewaysI rode in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 with wheels that go sideways
Corsair, Asus, and others are making it easier to build a beautiful PCCorsair, Asus, and others are making it easier to build a beautiful PC
Sony’s Afeela needs to be more than a feelingSony’s Afeela needs to be more than a feeling
Movano’s smart ring is the rare CES health gadget that will actually shipMovano’s smart ring is the rare CES health gadget that will actually ship
Anker’s new Qi2 chargers deliver MagSafe speed without MagSafe pricingAnker’s new Qi2 chargers deliver MagSafe speed without MagSafe pricing
MSI Claw hands-on: the Steam Deck rival with Intel insideMSI Claw hands-on: the Steam Deck rival with Intel inside
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Sharge’s newest sci-fi power banks look pretty sweet in person.

I’m a sucker for Sharge’s charging gear because it looks like nothing else, and that continues to be true of the new Sharge 170 model and especially the “Internet Hostkey” in my CES hands-on gallery below. Be warned that the Hostkey comes in a wimpy 40Wh capacity model in addition to its reasonable 72Wh one. Here’s my video with a few earlier Sharge products.

<em>The $119 Sharge 170 is bigger and more powerful than its predecessors — with a nicer screen, too.</em>
<em>Capacity is 86.4W, actually less than the</em><a href="https://thevergetoday.pages.dev/2023/10/6/23906552/sharge-sharegeek-storm-retro-mac-sale-best-price"><em> old Sharge 130</em></a><em>, but it can output faster.</em>
<em>All the input and output specs you crave printed right on the side.</em>
<em>Bet you haven’t seen a battery like this — it’s straight out of sci-fi film The Wandering Earth 2, and tops out at a 72Wh capacity. The buttons either show actual output on the screen, or a list of “passcodes” from the movie.</em>
1/4
The $119 Sharge 170 is bigger and more powerful than its predecessors — with a nicer screen, too.
Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
We finally touched Thunderbolt 5 and Qi2 (but not meaningfully).

Here at CES 2024, Hyper, J5Create, and Belkin have items on display with the latest in docking and magnetic charging technology — but sadly, none of it is plugged in. Maybe because we’re still waiting on Windows laptops and Android phones to adopt the tech. (There’s nothing to dock yet, right?)

I’m seriously looking forward to 240W charging and 120Gbps speeds from my USB-C ports, though, not to mention a “MagSafe for Android.”

<em>J5Create’s Thunderbolt 5 Dual 8K60 Display. </em>
<em>It offers 140W charging, not 240W charging, but does support 120Gbps of bandwidth and apparently fits an NVMe SSD.</em>
<em>Full specs for the J5Create. I didn’t see a price but I’ll ask.</em>
<a href="https://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperdrive-next-thunderbolt-5-dock’"><em>Hyper’s Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock</em></a> appears to be $400. It’s got up to 120Gbps data speeds as well and also has room for an NVMe SSD inside.
<em>The front, with two of the three TBT5 ports.</em>
<em>Here’s the NVMe slot.</em>
<em>Belkin’s Q2 charger folds down into a little puck.</em>
<em>The first of Hyper’s two Qi2 chargers.</em>
1/17
How Lego builds a new Lego setHow Lego builds a new Lego set
Sean Hollister
This company just put the air in Apple’s MacBook AirThis company just put the air in Apple’s MacBook Air
Polestar makes the rear window obsolete with its new crossover coupePolestar makes the rear window obsolete with its new crossover coupe
Sony’s Pulse Explore earbuds deliver immersive audio and one very useful trick

The first wireless earbuds from Sony’s PlayStation unit have unique planar magnetic drivers and an equally unique style.

Chris Welch
Sony’s PlayStation Portal gives a confusing first impressionSony’s PlayStation Portal gives a confusing first impression
Sony’s new ‘slim’ PlayStation 5 is smaller but also weirderSony’s new ‘slim’ PlayStation 5 is smaller but also weirder
The Finals beta was a hit, and I already miss the destructive chaosThe Finals beta was a hit, and I already miss the destructive chaos
This giant Duracell battery is an absolutely packed portable charging stationThis giant Duracell battery is an absolutely packed portable charging station
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
What we shot with a truly pocketable Game Boy Camera.

Sure, it looks cool, but what can you do with a mini Game Boy Camera? Vjeran and I hit the streets of San Francisco to capture a few landmarks. Want one? The DIY design is ready if you’ve got fine soldering skills!

Intel’s new 14th Gen CPUs get a boost to gaming performance with APO featureIntel’s new 14th Gen CPUs get a boost to gaming performance with APO feature
Dave the Diver is one of the year’s best games, and it’s still great on SwitchDave the Diver is one of the year’s best games, and it’s still great on Switch
We built the $150 Xbox 360 made of Lego-like Mega bricksWe built the $150 Xbox 360 made of Lego-like Mega bricks
Google’s new Pixel 8 is a little bit smaller and a little bit smarterGoogle’s new Pixel 8 is a little bit smaller and a little bit smarter
Play
The Pixel 8 Pro has better cameras, a brighter screen, and a lot of new AI tricksThe Pixel 8 Pro has better cameras, a brighter screen, and a lot of new AI tricks
Play
The Pixel Watch 2 adds new sensors, longer battery life, and better accuracyThe Pixel Watch 2 adds new sensors, longer battery life, and better accuracy
Play
SteelSeries enters the gaming microphone market with AliasSteelSeries enters the gaming microphone market with Alias
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses hands-on: in pursuit of content

Unlike the original, I kind of see where Meta’s going with its second-gen smart glasses.

Victoria Song
The Meta Quest 3 is sharper, more powerful, and still trying to make mixed reality happen
Play

An upgraded VR game console with an extra feature.

Adi Robertson
The Lamborghini-inspired Dry Studio Black Diamond 75 gaming keyboard is more cool than cringeThe Lamborghini-inspired Dry Studio Black Diamond 75 gaming keyboard is more cool than cringe
Meta’s Horizon Worlds is surprisingly decent on the web and mobileMeta’s Horizon Worlds is surprisingly decent on the web and mobile
Echo Hub hands-on: It’s all about the widgetsEcho Hub hands-on: It’s all about the widgets
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
The new Echo Show 8 is smarter, speedier, and knows when you get closeThe new Echo Show 8 is smarter, speedier, and knows when you get close
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar hands-on: it’s loud and inexpensiveAmazon Fire TV Soundbar hands-on: it’s loud and inexpensive
Amazon’s new Echo Frames hands-on: lighter, louder, still all AlexaAmazon’s new Echo Frames hands-on: lighter, louder, still all Alexa
Cyberpunk 2077 is finally where it should have been from the startCyberpunk 2077 is finally where it should have been from the start

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. Alex Jones has uncovered another massive conspiracy
  2. 360-degree cameras have a new superpower
  3. You’re about to feel the AI money squeeze
  4. Musk vs. Altman is here, and it’s going to get messy
  5. THE PEOPLE DO NOT YEARN FOR AUTOMATION
    Video