Good Morning, Builders.
AI is pushing deeper into commerce and the home, regulators are tightening the screws globally, and geopolitics is back on the balance sheet. We’re also breaking down the tech and tools from CES 2026 that are actually worth your attention. Let’s get to work.
I. Here’s What’s Inside
The Headlines:
Apple turns to Google to fix Siri’s AI gap, Amazon prepares to put Alexa+ everywhere, and 𝕏 takes the music industry to court. Meanwhile, Trump escalates trade pressure over Iran, Hollywood dealmaking heats up, and regulators continue drawing sharper lines around power, platforms, and profits.CES 2026: What’s Actually Worth Your Attention:
CES was a lot. We cut through it. From smart Lego and chore-ready robots to AI assistants that finally feel useful, here’s what crossed the line from flashy demo to real-world leverage, and how founders should think about adopting AI without sacrificing quality or credibility.
II. The Headlines
1. Paramount Sues Warner Bros Amid Netflix Battle
Paramount just threw down in its fight for Warner Bros, suing WBD for Netflix deal details and planning to nominate directors to the board. The studio giant says its $108.7B all-cash offer beats Netflix’s cash-and-stock deal, but Warner Bros calls the move “meritless” and warns Paramount hasn’t upped its bid. With the tender offer ticking toward Jan. 21, this proxy fight could come down to shareholder votes, leaving Hollywood’s biggest content libraries hanging in the balance. (Reuters)
2. Apple Taps Google for Siri AI
Apple is leaning on Google’s Gemini to power AI features like Siri, marking a rare partnership for the pair. The multi-year deal (reportedly worth around $1 billion) will integrate Google’s models and cloud into Apple’s foundational AI systems while keeping privacy tight. The move comes after Apple tested OpenAI and Anthropic tech and amid criticism that Siri lags behind competitors. A “more personalized Siri” is now expected this spring, finally giving Apple users a taste of the AI upgrade they’ve been waiting for. (TechCrunch)
3. Any Country Doing Business with Iran Faces U.S. Penalty
Donald Trump is doubling down on economic pressure: any country doing business with Iran will now face a 25% U.S. tariff, “effective immediately,” he announced on Truth Social. Details are sparse, but the move comes amid Iran’s anti-government protests and Trump’s repeated threats of military action. He framed it as supporting Iranian “freedom.” The announcement also precedes a Supreme Court review of Trump’s prior tariffs, leaving markets and trading partners to wonder how this latest action will shake global trade. (CNBC)
4. 𝕏 Sues the Music Industry Over Licensing Fees
𝕏 has filed an antitrust lawsuit against major music publishers, arguing they coordinated through the NMPA to pressure the platform into signing broad music licensing deals. 𝕏 says music usage on the platform is limited and that publishers are leveraging DMCA takedowns to force higher payments. Publishers counter that 𝕏 should license music like other major platforms. As 𝕏 leans further into video, the case could shape how music rights are priced across social media. (Social Media Today)
5. Alexa+ Will Soon Be in Almost Every Amazon Device
Amazon says 97% of its devices can run Alexa+, giving it a built-in leg up in the AI game. At CES, VP Daniel Rausch emphasized the advantage of millions already familiar with Alexa, now offering smarter voices, web knowledge, and task-performing agents. While exact rollout dates are TBD, Prime members get first dibs. With partnerships across Samsung, BMW, and more (and the acquisition of AI wearable Bee), Amazon is doubling down on home integration to make Alexa+ the “foundational AI” in your life. (TechCrunch)
III. CES 2026: What’s Actually Worth Your Attention
4,000 exhibitors flocked to Las Vegas this year. Even more visitors. And, endless demos.
I’m talking about CES 2026.
I know, it’s got some mixed reviews, but it would be a shame not to talk about some of the really cool things the tech world is getting up to.
Not because everything was revolutionary, but because a lot of tech finally crossed the line from impressive demo to real-world useful.
Here’s what stood out.
Lego Gets Smart (Literally)
Lego Smart Play was probably one of the best things I’ve seen come out of CES 2026.
This looks so cool, it might actually make kids want to spend less time in front of a screen. This Lego Smart Play packs tiny sensors, lights, and speakers into the bricks themselves. The blocks can sense motion, color, and proximity, and even react when paired with other pieces or minifigures.
The best part is that it requires no setup and no apps, you just build and play.
Refreshing, right?
Star Wars sets are leading the rollout, but the potential feels huge.
Robots That Actually Help With Chores
“The robot revolution is already here.”
If you’ve always dreamed about having a robot take care of all your chores for you, then you might just be in luck.
SwitchBot’s Onero H1 humanoid‑style home assistant is designed to help with the things we’d all automate if we could, including picking up clothes and loading a washing machine. It’s not instantaneous (and it’s still expensive), but unlike many CES robots that never reach consumers, SwitchBot plans to sell Onero before the end of 2026 for a whopping $10000.
Now that we’ve covered the fun stuff (Legos and Robots), we’re also going to cover a few items that can make your workspace a lot smarter, depending on how much you’re willing to spend.
Make Your Home Office & Team Tools Smarter
AI‑Enhanced Transcription Tools
Products like Subtle Voicebuds claim to go beyond standard earbuds by using AI-trained voice transcription that works even in noisy environments.
Unlike AirPods, which focus on noise cancellation for listening, these are designed to isolate your voice and turn speech into usable transcripts in real time.
If they deliver as promised, they could be useful for capturing impromptu ideas and brainstorming without needing to be at your desk.
Cross‑Device AI Assistants
Lenovo’s Qira platform claims to go beyond single-device assistants by working across phones, laptops, and tablets. The pitch is better context awareness, suggested follow-up actions, and less friction when moving between apps and screens.
If it works as described, it could make switching devices feel a lot less fragmented.
Next‑Gen Headset Tech
Razer’s Project Motoko packs dual 4K cameras into gaming headphones, meaning you could link rich visual context (or real‑time environmental awareness) into communication apps, not just audio.
Presence & Spatial Sensors
Devices like the Aqara Spatial Multi‑Sensor (which detects presence without cameras) could be pulled into home offices or team spaces to automate lighting, focus modes, or even meeting statuses without fuss.
The Takeaway or Should I Say “Tech-away”
My biggest takeaway from CES 2026 is that we might finally be entering the Jetsons-era future we were promised as kids.
For years, the biggest obstacle to the robot revolution has been getting them to operate in the messy, semi-structured world we actually live and work in.
That’s what AI is starting to change.
By making machines better at understanding nuance, uncertainty, and intent, AI is expanding the robot revolution into roles that are either too dangerous, too repetitive, or too dull to be reliably filled by humans.
Is it too early to say whether we’re in an “AI bubble”? Probably.
But bubble or not, we’re seeing a lot more tech cross the line from concept to capability. And whether you’re building products, running teams, or just trying to buy back time, that’s worth paying attention to.
At the very least, this stuff is getting genuinely exciting again.
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To the Arena,
- Founders Daily Brief Team