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Eric Migicovsky has been thinking a lot about friction. Specifically, hes been thinking about how too much friction in the way of using a device can put people off wearing it altogether. The founder of Pebble is here at CES 2026 with a few new devices from the company he recently started to bring back the beloved smartwatch brand, including the Pebble Round 2 and the Index 01. That second one is a simple ring with a button on it that you push down to talk to Pebbles AI whenever you want it to help you remember something. In the sea of AI gadgets that clutter the showfloors of CES (and the current tech industry in general), the Index 01 is refreshingly simple. The prototypes I saw here in Las Vegas werent connected to phones, so they werent actually working. They also seemed a little unfinished, like there was still some polishing to do. But I was able to put a few on and push their buttons. I also checked out the one Migicovsky wears more on that in a bit.I have to caveat that the rings that Migicovsky and his team had for us to try on were way too large for me. I did manage to get sized and found out I was a Pebble size 7, while my colleague Dan Cooper was determined to be a size 11. These demo rings sat loosely on my finger and Migicovsky was particular that I wear it on my index finger and not my thumb or middle finger. I suspect that has to do with how you reach for and press the button. Its much easier to push the key if its closer to your thumb. Since the idea of the Index 01 began as an app on the Pebble watch, Migicovsky has been working hard to figure out how best to make it easy to access. Back when it was an app, friction points were having to use your other hand to press the screen, he said. We also experimented with gestures and voice activation, wake words, he added. But as many of us are painfully familiar with, those triggers dont always work well. The whole thing that drives this ring is it being something that you can rely on. It being something that you can incorporate into your habits, Migicovsky said. So putting a button right by your thumb not only makes sense, but might even be, in my opinion, a bit more accessible for people with, say, speech impediments or only one hand. I have to admit I initially found the Index 01s design to be a bit bulky-looking, and the rubbery button protrudes a lot more than I expected from looking at it in its glamor shots. Its like in place of a diamond or a gemstone on the ring, theres a weird little nipple that you twiddle around until you want to push it. I did find the button easy to press, if that allays any of your concerns at all. But, really, the Indexs powers arent visible. Its what happens after you push the button that matters. Using the Pebble Index 01 ringThe actual demo was brief. Migicovsky prefaced things by telling me what he was about to ask, held up his hand to his mouth, pushed the button and asked me Whats your favorite book these days? I explained I had recently been reading Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi and then Migicovsky let go of the button. After a few starts and stops due to internet woes, the companion app on his phone responded, showing a transcription of what we said, followed by an answer That sounds like a fun read! I can create a note about the book you are reading if youd like.I didnt get to ask many more questions, and I think Id need to live with an actual unit in my life to start to rely on it more. But I love the idea of a second brain or an AI assistant thats always ready for my random thoughts at the push of a button. Migicovsky said the Index 01 is water resistant, so you never have to take it off, even in the shower. So for those times when youre sudsing up and have a random stroke of inspiration about soap art, you can still tell the Index 01 to remember your Eureka moment.Depending on how you use it, Migicovsky said the Index 01 can last for years up to three if youre not too heavy of a user. Since he doesnt want for you to have to place the ring on a charger and forget to put it back on again, the device is not rechargeable. When youre about a month away from running out of juice, the app will send you a warning and ask if you want to order a replacement. Youll also be offered the option of sending it in for recycling.That still feels a bit wasteful and potentially expensive, but Migicovskys thinking is that if you still are using the ring enough after two years to be thinking about extending its battery life, the price might be justifiable to you.Why a Pebble AI ring instead of others?Its things like this that make me think Migicovsky (and the Pebble team) have the right approach to making an AI ring. Though the hardware is not the most advanced and there is a quaint simplicity to the software, there is a level of thought and care that feels important to any products success. Migicovsky is quick to acknowledge that Pebble watches wont be for everyone. That if you want a health-tracking device or something with a bright, colorful screen, you should consider something else. Hes even considering placing ads for other smartwatches on the website listing the new Pebble devices.Look Im the first person to call myself out when I fail, Migicovsky wrote in a blog he posted last November. And when he spoke with Engadget, he also recognized that Pebble at one point might have tried to do too much. These days, there are other companies making smart rings that are all about tracking your sleep and fitness, and the Index 01 is not that. And Pebble is absolutely 100 percent not that company. Maybe with a renewed focus on a sustainable business model, Pebble actually has a chance to survive and continue making its AI ring and other devices. Nowadays, Migicovsky just wants to make gadgets that will make you smile. And when I look at a cute little nyan cat wiggling about in its lo-fi, lo-res and low-frame-rate glory on the new Pebble smartwatches, I just feel warm inside. The Index 01 is available for pre-order now at an early bird price of $75 and will cost $100 after it starts shipping in May.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/pebbles-founder-might-be-just-the-right-person-to-make-an-ai-ring-170104222.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
Last year, PocketBook rocked up at CES with a series of large e-paper displays to display art on the walls of your home. This year, the company has turned up with a far larger, A1-sized model called the Duna, which it says mimics the texture, depth and tonal richness of printed paper. Its intended to act as an upmarket alternative to those big screen TVs which display art when theyre not being used for their intended purpose. Unsurprisingly, such a fancy product also needs some fancy accessories, so its recruited Italian design house Pininfarina to help. It claims the credit for the Dunas precision-engineered aluminum frame and its elegantly stitched Alcantara. To celebrate the pairing, the InkPoster App will enable you to view original design sketches from the Pininfarina archives on your screens. At last years CES, I saw the three smaller models in person and found them to be very promising. The colors are vibrant in a way you dont expect from an e-paper display, and at a distance you could easily mistake these for a real canvas. Just dont get too close to the screen itself, since youll still be able to see the pixels rather than brush strokes. Im no expert, but I suspect the technology suits bold, blocky art styles think modern artists like Modigliani better than delicate, more antiquated forms.As before, each InkPoster can be hung for up to a year on a single charge, refreshing from its library of licensed artwork according to your whims. Plus, you can use it as a digital photo frame, if you want to display your selfies at art gallery or movie poster sizes.If youre interested in buying one of the new models, youll have to wait until April, after the frames are exhibited at Milan Design Week in April. While we dont have full pricing details right now, you can expect to pay something in the region of $6,000 for one.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/inkposter-launches-a-premium-41-inch-e-paper-display-for-your-home-170000292.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
The following article discusses themes of an adult nature.Lovense has turned up to CES with a companion doll, a life-size sex doll thats designed to be more than just a life size sex doll. The company has equipped it with its proprietary AI engine and promises human-like cognition, emotional awareness and expressive behavior. The doll, which in the marketing video is called Emily, is Lovenses answer to the global loneliness crisis. It says, over time, a users relationship with the system will grow deeper as it learns to adapt to their needs. And that the doll is the natural evolution of the virtual companions that have, until now, existed only on phones and screens.From a hardware standpoint, the doll uses a standard user posable skeleton for everywhere but inside the skull. Up top, there are various servos and mechanisms to give the doll the ability to slightly move their mouth while speaking, as well as some basic facial expressions. (You havent lived until youve seen Emily attempt a smize or a wink in a matter few would describe as flirtatious.) The company hasnt spoken about the less delicate parts of her anatomy, but did say her built in Bluetooth can integrate effortlessly with the full Lovense ecosystem and can run for eight hours on a single charge.The major focus, however, is on the AI part of the equation, explaining it will remember details of previous conversations to enable users to build a deeper bond with its user. In addition, you can even engage with the AI when youre out and about, messaging it via the Lovense app. Oh, and you can even get AI-generated selfies that mirror her real-world appearance should you want. The company, in its materials, say that the doll will hopefully lead people out of their comfort zone and better equip them to engage with real people. Of course, its worth noting that Lovenses track record with peoples most intimate data isnt the best. In 2017, a Reddit user discovered the Lovense app was recording a private moment between them and their partner. In July 2025, another security flaw enabled hackers to hijack accounts without a password. The company addressed both issues at the time, but its one to consider if youre thinking about forming a long-term relationship with one of its bots.Theres no word on pricing or availability just yet the company will be launching a pre-sale in the near future but you can probably expect it to be fairly expensive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lovense-launches-an-ai-companion-doll-at-ces-170000490.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
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