Here’s a breakdown of the facts from the provided text:
Key Takeaways:
* “Worst in Show” Awards: At CES 2026, products where awarded “Worst in Show” based on how uniquely bad they are, potential negative impact, and being worse than previous iterations.
* Judges: The judges are independent and represent organizations like Consumer Reports, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and iFixit. their goal is to encourage manufacturers to improve.
* Amazon Ring Doorbell: Won “Worst in Show” for privacy. New features like “AI Unusual Event Alert” (including facial recognition) and an app store for third-party apps were criticized for increasing surveillance and potentially invading privacy.
* LG AI Refrigerator: Mentioned in the opening sentence as one of the ”Worst in Show” products, with the company stating “security and privacy are foundational” to its AI features.
* Ami AI Companion: Won the “People’s Choice” award for worst product. This desk-based AI avatar tracks eye movements and emotional signals, marketed as a “soulmate” for remote workers. Critics found the ”always-on” aspect unsettling despite a physical camera shutter.
* Lollipop Star: Criticized for environmental waste due to its non-rechargeable/reusable stick that plays music through bone conduction.
