• Snowflake announces its intent to buy observability platform Observe

    January 9, 2026

    Snowflake plans to acquire Observe, an observability platform that has been built on Snowflake’s databases from day one. (Observability platforms help companies monitor their software systems and data for performance issues and bugs.) The cloud data company announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Observe, subject to regulatory approval, on January 8. Snowflake will integrate Observe’s product into its own to give customers a unified place to collect and store their telemetry data (logs, metrics, and traces from software systems) and better spot potential bugs and issues in their data and software. Observe was founded in 2017 by Jacob…

  • Emerson Smart brings offline voice control to lamps and fans

    January 9, 2026

    Perhaps you like the idea of controlling your home appliances with your voice, but aren’t super keen on a data center processing recordings of you. Fair enough. The trade-off for most smart home conveniences is relinquishing at least some of your privacy. Today at CES, I saw a line of voice-controlled home appliances from Emerson Smart that adjust power and setting via voice commands. But commands are recognized on the devices themselves, not carried through Wi-Fi and processed elsewhere. The huge array of smart plugs, fans, heaters and even air fryers require no app for setup and don’t need access…

  • Nvidia’s reportedly asking Chinese customers to pay upfront for its H200 AI chips

    January 9, 2026

    Nvidia is now requiring its customers in China to pay upfront in full for its H200 AI chips even as approval stateside and from Beijing remains uncertain, Reuters reported, citing anonymous sources. The chipmaker isn’t leaving any room for refunds or changes to orders, the report said. While some customers may be allowed to use commercial insurance or asset collateral, the terms are far stricter than Nvidia’s earlier policies, which sometimes permitted partial deposits, Reuters reported. Nvidia declined to comment.   China is expected to allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips in the country, per Bloomberg, though Beijing wants…

  • Skoda teases Kodiaq-sized EV to be revealed later this year

    January 9, 2026

    Skoda has rung in 2026 by teasing an “Epiq new year”, and confirming the reveals of two all-new electric SUVs. CEO Klaus Zellmer presented the two cars under wraps in a new video published to the Czech brand’s media site today, both of which will be revealed this year. The first is the production version of the Skoda Epiq, a compact electric crossover roughly the same size as the existing Kamiq. Revealed in near-production form last September in Munich, the Epiq boasts the Czech brand’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design language and has been tipped by Skoda to offer price parity…

  • The weirdest tech we’ve seen at CES 2026 so far

    January 9, 2026

    The usual suspects always show up at CES — new TVs, laptops, chips, robots and the like. But CES is also a place where companies feel free to ask some very strange questions about how technology could further infiltrate our lives. For example, should your toilet analyze your poop? Should your nails change color on command? From experimental laptops to health tech that probably didn’t need a camera, these are the weirdest gadgets we spotted at CES 2026. Also, be sure to check out our list of the best CES tech we saw this year at the show. Throne toilet…

  • The most bizarre tech announced so far at CES 2026

    January 9, 2026

    While CES 2026 is full of tech giants unveiling their latest innovations, the real excitement comes from discovering unexpected, quirky gadgets that make you ask, “Who thought of this?” We’re here to spotlight the wildest products we’ve found so far at CES 2026, from an AI-powered panda that responds to your touch, to Razer’s holographic anime assistant, and plenty more weirdness that makes you do a double-take. An AI anime companion that watches you from your desk  Razer’s Project AVA, originally introduced last year as an esports AI coach, has evolved into something new: a 5.5-inch animated holographic desk companion…

  • The biggest new TV announcements at CES 2026 from Samsung, LG and TCL

    January 9, 2026

    TVs are a staple of CES, and so far, manufacturers have not disappointed with their announcements at CES 2026. Companies including Samsung, LG and others came to the event ready to show off updates to existing display tech and some genuinely new technologies. OLED and Mini LED remain central to most lineups, while Micro RGB has emerged as one of the most talked-about developments at the show so far, especially at the higher end of the TV market. Below are the TV announcements that stood out most from the pre-show events and early press conferences, with more expected as CES…

  • Disney+ is launching short-form videos this year

    January 9, 2026

    Following the success of TikTok and Instagram Reels, Disney announced that it’s bringing short-form video content to Disney+ in the U.S. this year in a bid to boost daily engagement. Disney made the announcement at its Tech + Data Showcase event at CES 2026. The company said in the blog post that the experience “will evolve as it expands across news and entertainment and delivers a more personalized, dynamic experience that reinforces Disney+ as a must-visit daily destination.” Disney told Deadline that the videos could include original short-form content, repurposed social clips, scenes from TV shows or movies, or a combination.…

  • MG Australia gets new leadership as local boss exits top role after almost a decade

    January 9, 2026

    MG Motor Australia has new leadership, as the Chinese auto brand encounters teething troubles as it works towards its previously stated goal of being a top-three marque locally by 2030. Peter Ciao, who has been in the top role since 2018, is moving into an advisory role in which he will “ensure a smooth transition for local staff, dealers, partners and customers”. Parent company SAIC Motor, which has been present in Australia for a decade now, has announced Qing Zhang will head up the automaker’s operations in Australia and New Zealand, which includes leading the MG brand. Mr Zhang will…

  • 19 CES gadgets you can buy right now

    January 9, 2026

    CES 2026 is nearly over and it’s been a fruitful one with a lot of new, weird and impressive tech. But you don’t have to wait until later this year to get your hands on some of the things announced this week in Las Vegas. A surprising number of gadgets are up for pre-order, if not outright available to buy already, from chargers and docks to projectors, keyboards and smart home gear. CES remains a place for companies to showcase concepts and big ideas, but these are the gadgets that have real prices and real order buttons as of today.…