Consumer Tech Review: December Releases and 2026 Projections
This report summarizes notable consumer technology products released or reviewed in December and offers projections for tech trends in 2026. The review period highlighted new gadgets and anticipated future developments in the technology sector.
December Technology Highlights
Several devices became available or were reviewed in December:
- Shark FacialPro Glow: A home facial device designed for skin exfoliation, pore tightening, and circulation enhancement. It features multiple attachments and is noted for ease of use despite numerous components.
- Soundpeats Air5 Pro+: Earbuds priced at $130, recognized for comfort, clear audio quality, and robust active noise cancellation (ANC).
- Antigravity A1 Drone: A drone featuring a 360-degree camera and an augmented reality (AR) headset, providing an immersive flying experience. It utilizes an aim-and-fly controller intended to simplify operation for new users.
- MCON Mobile Controller: A mobile gaming controller that attaches via MagSafe, designed for portability with a pop-open mechanism revealing gaming controls, TMR joysticks, and analog triggers.
- Boox Note Air 5C: An e-notetaker with a color E Ink display (4,096 colors) and a stylus. It is presented as a cost-effective option for reading and note-taking with color capabilities, despite display and speed limitations compared to non-E Ink devices.
- SN Operator: Priced at $60, this device allows users to play physical Super Nintendo or Super Famicom cartridges on PC, Mac, or Steam Deck. It facilitates game file ripping, supports saves, and includes features for cartridge authenticity verification and RetroAchievements integration.
- Snowsky Disc MP3 Player: A modern MP3 player equipped with a circular touchscreen, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks, and USB-C connectivity. It supports up to a 2TB microSD card and is being considered for future release in the U.S. market.
- JLab Epic Pods: ANC earbuds costing $100, notable for their extended battery life, offering approximately 13 hours per charge and up to 50 hours with the charging case.
- Pebble Index 01: A stainless steel ring designed for voice recording. It features a single button to activate a microphone and operates without internet connectivity or a subscription. The device has a non-rechargeable battery and is intended for return to the manufacturer for recycling upon depletion.
- Robosen Soundwave Figure: A self-transforming robot figure of Soundwave that converts into a tape deck. While it functions as a Bluetooth speaker, it does not play cassette tapes. The figure is priced at $1,400.
An AI translator device was noted for not performing as advertised, leading its manufacturer to request the non-publication of a review.
2026 Technology Outlook
Predictions for 2026 include a significant introduction of new products at CES 2026, with companies such as LG and Samsung expected to unveil new televisions and monitors. The forecast also indicates an increase in new laptops, speakers, AR glasses, and various gadgets incorporating AI. Concurrently, an ongoing RAM shortage, attributed to the expansion of AI data centers, is projected to increase prices across computing products, including desktops, laptops, and game consoles.