Key insights

• AI in consumer tech is shifting from cloud-based software features to hardware-embedded intelligence, with dedicated chips and sensors doing the work on-device
• Cross-device continuity like Lenovo Qira signals the end of the app-by-app era, where users expect AI to follow them across devices seamlessly
• The smart glasses market is growing fast, but the $600-700 price point keeps these products in enthusiast territory until costs come down

In Brief

Forbes consumer tech editor Rebecca Isaacs breaks down five ways AI is showing up in everyday products in 2026. The roundup covers Lenovo's new cross-device AI software, XGIMI's MemoMind smart glasses, Samsung's Vision AI Companion for TVs and AI-powered fridges, and LEGO's sensor-equipped Smart Brick. All five products are launching in 2026, and together they paint a picture of AI moving from apps and cloud services into the physical objects people use every day.

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Laptops that follow you across devices

Lenovo announced new AI software called Qira, coming to its branded laptops and Motorola phones this year. The idea is simple: start work on your laptop, shift to your phone, and open the same documents without downloading or transferring files. Qira handles the handoff automatically.

Alongside the software, Qualcomm debuted its Snapdragon X2 Plus processors with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 80 TOPS (tera operations per second, a measure of how many AI calculations the chip can run). These chips will appear in laptops from Acer, Microsoft, and others. Stronger NPUs mean more AI tasks can run directly on the device rather than sending data to the cloud, which also improves battery life.

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Smart glasses with a built-in teleprompter

The smart glasses market saw a wave of new entries from Rokid, TCL, Even Realities, and others. One standout was the XGIMI MemoMind glasses.

MemoMind includes a heads-up display and integrates multiple AI models, including OpenAI and Qwen. The glasses automatically select the best model to answer questions and respond to voice commands without pulling out a phone. They also feature built-in speakers that let users listen to music while still hearing ambient sounds.

The feature that stood out most to Isaacs was the built-in teleprompter. Users can load a speech or presentation and have the text scroll in front of their eyes as they read. The glasses are expected to launch later this year at around $599-700, placing them firmly in enthusiast territory.

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Samsung's AI-powered living room and kitchen

Samsung expanded its AI strategy in two directions: the TV and the fridge.

Vision AI Companion (VAC) is Samsung's upgraded smart TV assistant. It goes beyond voice commands by combining Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity to show visualized responses directly on the TV screen. VAC can also personalize viewing recommendations, translate Samsung TV Plus channels in real time, generate decorative wallpapers with AI, and let users turn off sports commentary. Samsung is shipping VAC with its 2026 TV lineup and committing to 7 years of updates.

In the kitchen, Samsung's Bespoke fridges now include an AI Food Manager that reads labels on products placed inside. The AI can suggest recipes based on what you actually have, nudge you to use ingredients before they spoil, and recommend when to restock frequently used items.

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LEGO's Smart Brick brings builds to life

The LEGO Smart Brick is a small, sensor-packed unit that features sound, motion, and light sensors. It uses a smart tag to identify which set it is connected to. Attach it to a Star Wars set and it plays Star Wars sounds. When multiple Smart Bricks are nearby, they detect each other and interact with coordinated sounds and lights.

The Smart Brick launched on March 1, 2026 as part of LEGO's Smart Play line. Battery life lasts about 45 minutes of full play. The brick is not backwards compatible with older LEGO sets, but more compatible sets are expected later this year.

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Glossary

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