CES 2026 (Jan. 6–9 in Las Vegas) didn’t feel like a “future tech” show as much as a “right now” show. The big shift: AI wasn’t treated like a standalone product category anymore. It was the invisible layer powering everything from streaming discovery to robots that can actually do work.

For STM Daily News readers who live in the overlap of Entertainment and Tech, here are the exhibitors and trends that stood out most—plus why they matter beyond the show floor.

1) Sony Honda Mobility (AFEELA): The car as a rolling entertainment platform

Sony Honda Mobility’s AFEELA presence reinforced a direction CES keeps leaning into: the next generation of vehicles is competing as much on software and in-cabin experience as it is on horsepower.

What made it stand out:

• AFEELA represents the “car as a connected device” idea taken seriously—where the cabin becomes a screen-first, service-driven environment.
• It’s a clean example of how mobility and entertainment are merging: navigation, safety, personalization, and media all living in one interface.

2) Netflix + Amazon Prime Video + Roku + Xumo: Streaming is evolving into ecosystems

CES 2026’s Content & Entertainment story wasn’t about “who has the most subscribers.” It was about streaming as an ecosystem: bundling, ad-supported growth, and smarter discovery.

What made it stand out:

• CES highlighted how streaming platforms are pushing beyond simple libraries into bundles, premium originals, and integrated experiences.
• FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) continues to gain traction, and device/platform players are positioning themselves as the front door.

3) Dolby: The quiet power behind the best-looking, best-sounding experiences

Dolby isn’t always the flashiest booth, but it consistently shows up as the tech that makes everything else feel “premium.”

What made it stand out:

• In a year where screens, XR, and immersive venues are everywhere, audio and imaging standards are the difference between “cool demo” and “wow.”
• Dolby’s relevance keeps growing as entertainment moves across phones, living rooms, cars, and wearables.

4) Meta + XREAL: Smart glasses keep inching toward mainstream

Wearables at CES 2026 weren’t just about steps and sleep. The momentum was in smart glasses and AR—especially as generative AI voice interfaces make hands-free use feel more natural.

What made it stand out:

• CES noted smart/AR glasses evolving with features like real-time translation, recording, and AI voice interfaces.
• For entertainment fans, this is where “watching” and “doing” start to blend—live overlays, creator tools, and new ways to capture experiences.

5) Samsung + LG + TCL: Screens are still the show’s main stage

Even in an AI-everywhere year, CES still belongs to display tech. Big brands kept proving that TVs aren’t just TVs—they’re hubs for gaming, streaming, smart home control, and ambient experiences.

What made it stand out:

• Display leaders continue to set the tone for how entertainment is consumed at home.
• The conversation is shifting from specs to experience: personalization, AI-powered recommendations, and multi-device continuity.

6) NVIDIA + AMD + Lenovo: The “AI PC” era is no longer theoretical

CES 2026 made it clear that the next wave of consumer computing is built around on-device AI. That matters for creators, editors, and anyone who lives in content.

What made it stand out:

• CES highlighted AI’s move from “digital transformation” to “intelligent transformation,” including edge/enterprise and physical AI in robotics.
• AMD’s CES keynote emphasized AI across devices from PCs to data centers, underscoring how quickly this is becoming standard.

7) Unitree + Richtech Robotics + Hyundai: Robots were the surprise crowd-pleaser

If CES 2026 had a “you had to see it” category, it was robotics. Not just novelty bots—machines built for real environments.

What made it stand out:

• CES framed robotics as “physical AI,” where generative AI and simulation training help robots learn faster than traditional programming.
• Humanoid robots, in particular, are moving from single-task demos toward more collaborative assistant roles.

The big takeaway for STM Daily News readers

CES 2026 wasn’t about one killer gadget. It was about convergence:

• Entertainment is becoming more interactive, more personalized, and more portable.
• Cars are becoming screens.
• Wearables are becoming interfaces.
• Robots are becoming the next “device category” people actually want to watch.

And underneath it all: AI is becoming less of a headline and more of the operating system for modern life.

Here’s a list of what stood out to us at CES 2026:

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• Sony Honda Mobility (AFEELA): The car as a rolling entertainment platform
• Netflix + Amazon Prime Video + Roku + Xumo: Streaming is evolving into ecosystems
• Dolby: The quiet power behind the best-looking, best-sounding experiences
• Meta + XREAL: Smart glasses keep inching toward mainstream
• Samsung + LG + TCL: Screens are still the show’s main stage
• NVIDIA + AMD + Lenovo: The “AI PC” era is no longer theoretical
• Unitree + Richtech Robotics + Hyundai: Robots were the surprise crowd-pleaser

Sources

• CES press release recap and exhibitor/topic highlights (Jan. 9, 2026): https://www.ces.tech/press-releases/ces-2026-the-future-is-here

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Last Updated on October 16, 2025 by Daily News Staff

News You Can Use This Moment! | STM Daily News

The 2025 Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo lit up downtown Phoenix last month with an empowering mix of celebrity inspiration, local entrepreneurship, and creative energy. Held September 28–29 at the Phoenix Convention Center, this year’s expo drew thousands of women from across the Southwest to explore, connect, and celebrate.

Among the weekend’s standout moments was the appearance of pop icon Debbie Gibson, whose presence on the main stage brought both nostalgia and inspiration. The singer-songwriter, who rose to fame in the late 1980s with hits like “Only in My Dreams” and “Lost in Your Eyes,” shared her personal journey through the music industry, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Attendees were treated to an intimate and uplifting conversation, followed by meet-and-greet sessions and photo opportunities — including one lucky attendee who met Gibson personally and captured the moment with several photos.

A Weekend of Empowerment and Discovery

The Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo, part of a national event series produced by the Ultimate Events Group, featured more than 400 exhibitor booths and dozens of workshops across health, finance, fashion, and wellness. Visitors explored everything from skincare innovations and artisan goods to self-development seminars and business networking lounges.

Sponsors and partners have historically included Chevrolet, Humana, Mary Kay, Massage Envy, and the Arizona Republic, reflecting a diverse mix of corporate and local support. The 2025 edition once again sold out exhibitor space, signaling renewed enthusiasm among small businesses and women-led ventures in Arizona.

Record Attendance and Growing Momentum

While official numbers haven’t been released, estimates place attendance at over 20,000 visitors — a notable increase from roughly 17,000 in 2024. Organizers cited record booth sales and packed speaker sessions as evidence of the event’s continued post-pandemic growth.

Phoenix’s event mirrors a broader trend of rising participation in women-centered expos nationwide, as more entrepreneurs and creators seek in-person opportunities to share ideas, products, and inspiration.

Why It Matters

The Women’s Expo is more than just a shopping or networking event — it’s a platform for women to connect, elevate one another, and rediscover their voices in business and life. Whether through a celebrity keynote, a local business success story, or a spontaneous encounter on the expo floor, attendees leave with a sense of empowerment that lasts long after the weekend wraps up.

As Debbie Gibson reminded the crowd:

“Reinvention isn’t about starting over — it’s about owning every version of yourself.”

🖼️ Photo Gallery: Moments from the 2025 Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo

(Captured by Rebecca Jo Washington, a contributors to STM Daily News)

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(Editor’s note: Photos courtesy of STM Daily News contributor Rebecca Jo Bigham. If you attended this year’s expo and would like to share your images, please email them to editor@stmdailynews.com for feature consideration.)

🔗 

Related Links

Explore more stories from STM Daily News and around the web:

• Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo – Official Site
• Phoenix Convention Center Events Calendar
• Debbie Gibson Official Website
• Women’s Business Success Stories – STM Daily News
• Empowerment Events & Lifestyle Features – STM Daily News

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

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Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by Rod Washington

Join host Mike “Sleeves” Sliwa as he sits down with Kelsea Thompson, Tournament Director of PickleCon 2025, for an inspiring conversation about passion, pickleball, and one of the sport’s most anticipated events.

In this engaging episode, Kelsea shares her personal journey into the world of pickleball – from her first time picking up a paddle to becoming the driving force behind PickleCon’s tournament operations. Discover how her love for the sport evolved and what led her to take on the massive responsibility of organizing tournaments for thousands of players.

Kelsea provides an insider’s look at PickleCon 2025, taking place August 7-10 in Kansas City, Missouri. Learn about this all-inclusive pickleball paradise that transforms 400,000 square feet of convention space into the ultimate destination for players of every skill level. From competitive tournaments and pro clinics to glow-in-the-dark matches and social events, PickleCon truly offers something for everyone in the pickleball community.

Whether you’re a competitive player, casual enthusiast, skill-building learner, industry professional, or simply a pickleball fan, this episode will give you the inside scoop on what makes PickleCon a must-attend event. Kelsea discusses the unique challenges of organizing such a comprehensive event and shares her vision for creating an unforgettable experience that celebrates everything we love about pickleball.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the key figures making PickleCon 2025 possible – and start planning your trip to Kansas City this August!

PickleCon 2025: August 7-10, Kansas City, MO

Learn more: https://www.picklecon.com

Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. 

https://sleeves-spr.com/

STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world. 

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