At CES 2026, the smart home brand Govee has unveiled an appliance that proves artificial intelligence can be found in the most unexpected places. Its sub-brand, Govee Life, introduced a countertop Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro. Designed for hosts who want trendy nugget ice for cocktails, the machine can produce ice in six minutes and make up to sixty pounds of ice per day, storing 3.5 pounds at a time. Its AI feature is dedicated to noise reduction. The system is trained to identify freeze-ups, a common issue with nugget ice makers that causes unwanted sounds. When detected, the AI automatically starts a defrost cycle to keep the ice flowing quietly.
In other news, Clicks has expanded beyond its popular keyboard case. The company debuted two new devices, including its first smartphone. The $499 Communicator is designed as a second device and strongly resembles a classic BlackBerry. Clicks also launched a $79 slide-out mobile keyboard that can be used with any smartphone in either portrait or landscape mode.
Ahead of the show, smartwatch maker Pebble announced its latest device, the Pebble Round 2. Priced at $199, this watch features a rounded screen and a battery life of up to two weeks on a single charge. It offers basic health and activity tracking for steps and sleep but does not include a heart rate monitor. It will be available in three colors: black, silver, and rose gold, supporting either 14 mm or 20 mm bands.
The TechCrunch team has arrived in Las Vegas for CES 2026. While the official show does not begin until January 6, announcements from major tech companies like Amazon, Bosch, and LG are already underway. The team is meeting with startup founders and exploring the innovative and unconventional technology that defines the annual Consumer Electronics Show, with more updates to come.