From the first foldable iPhone to Google’s smart glasses, up to agentic AI: 2026 promises to be the year of hybrid gadgets and advanced artificial intelligence.
2026 will be a turning point for consumer-side technology, intertwining gadgets and artificial intelligence. Companies are focusing on more natural interactions between AI and everyday objects, without forgetting entertainment. The new year promises to be full oftechnological hybridization.
Foldable iPhone and HomePod Touch
In addition to the classic line of iPhonepersistent voices from Bloomberg indicate the first Foldable iPhone for 2026. With a book shape, in Samsung Z Fold style, it represents a turning point for Apple after years of prudent waiting in perfecting the hinges: Cupertino could finally convince many consumers to adopt foldable displays. The details are not known, but it should be equipped with fingerprint recognition via the side Touch ID button instead of the face one with Face ID.
At the same time, a HomePod Touch is being developed, a smart speaker with a touch display with a design similar to theiPadwith AI support from Apple Intelligence.
Steam Machine, the console-PC hybrid
Valve announced three new hardware devices for 2026, but the most interesting is the new one Steam Machine. The company that owns Steamthe web platform that holds approximately 75% of the digital distribution market for PC video games, has thought of a hybrid between computers and consoles to return to the living room after the unfortunate first version of 2015. With a modern cube aesthetic, with an interchangeable magnetic front to customize it as you like, it will have the advantage of being plug and play like a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series He will accompany him SteamFramea VR headset with wireless streaming, the new controller and the already tested one Steam Decksthe portable mini PC.
Google’s smart glasses
With the success of Ray Ban Metayou can’t miss the smart glasses from Google who tries again after the failures Glass. The company of Mountain View has made two models official for 2026: one with audio only and one with a display inside the lenses, developed with partners such as Samsung. Without the bulk of VR headsets, they will rely on Android XRthe specific operating system for wearable devices, and you can communicate with Geminithe AI of Googleto ask for information about the surrounding environment, show real-time information such as navigation or manage and read smartphone notifications.
OpenAI’s intelligent gadget
OpenAIfather of ChatGPTis developing a small, screenless hardware device similar to the old iPod Shuffle, in collaboration with Jony Iveex Apple. A compact gadget that will sit next to smartphones and laptops, equipped with cameras to analyze the surrounding environment and microphones to interact vocally with artificial intelligence. It will have to be a portable device always with you and constantly active.
Agentic AI that acts autonomously
Agentic artificial intelligence is the evolution of AI assistants: it doesn’t just answer questions, it takes action independently on your behalf, such as booking travel, shopping online or paying bills. Already in 2025 there are browsers like Comet Of Perplexity or Atlas Of OpenAI that use artificial intelligence to complete simple tasks, but the 2026 generation will be able to complete more complex processes independently beyond simple web browsing software.
