CES has always been about showing what’s possible with technology. At Samsung’s First Look session for CES 2026, the company leaned into that idea—not by unveiling a single hero product, but by showing how its entire ecosystem can work as one.

Samsung showcased plenty of familiar hardware. Robot vacuums. Washer-dryer combos. The Frame TVs. Even the attention-grabbing Galaxy Z Trifold made an appearance. But the real focus wasn’t any one device.

It was how all of these products connect end-to-end—and how easily they can be controlled through a Samsung Galaxy phone or watch.

This is what Samsung now calls its vision of being a “companion to AI living,” and at CES 2026, it was less about futuristic promises and more about everyday flow.

AI as an ecosystem, not a feature

At The First Look, Samsung framed AI not as a checkbox feature, but as a foundation that runs across mobile, displays, home appliances, and services. The idea is simple: devices shouldn’t feel like separate tools. They should behave like one system that understands routines, preferences, and context.

That theme carried across the exhibition floor, where displays showed how TVs talk to kitchen appliances, how wearables feed into home routines, and how SmartThings quietly connects it all in the background.

Samsung executives positioned this scale as the company’s advantage. With hundreds of millions of connected SmartThings users worldwide, the ecosystem has enough real-world data to move AI from reactive to assistive—and, eventually, proactive.

The TV becomes an active companion

On the display side, Samsung’s vision pushes TVs beyond passive viewing. The company introduced Vision AI Companion, a system designed to guide what you watch, listen to, and even eat—based on what’s on screen and what’s happening around you.

At the center of the showcase was the massive 130-inch Micro RGB display, a statement piece that set the tone for Samsung’s 2026 TV lineup. But more interesting than its size or picture quality was how Samsung wants users to interact with their screens.

From adjusting sound levels during sports broadcasts to pulling up recipes inspired by a cooking show, the TV becomes a hub for lifestyle decisions. Those recommendations can then be sent directly to other devices—like kitchen appliances or mobile screens—without breaking the flow.

Samsung also confirmed that its 2026 TVs will support seven years of Tizen OS upgrades, positioning the TV as a long-term platform rather than a disposable display.

When appliances start doing the thinking

In the home, Samsung’s AI push focused on reducing friction in daily chores. The upgraded Family Hub refrigerator now uses AI Vision powered by Google Gemini to better track food items as they go in and out, making meal planning more automatic.

Features like “What’s for Today?” turn the fridge into a decision-maker, suggesting meals based on what’s available—or offering something random when you’re tired of choosing. Those recipes can then be sent to connected cooking appliances, creating a surprisingly smooth loop from planning to execution.

Laundry and cleaning also got similar treatment. The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo removes the need to transfer loads, while the AirDresser tackles wrinkles with minimal effort. Even the robot vacuum now doubles as a home monitor, capable of recognizing spills, navigating intelligently, and responding to conversational voice commands.

It’s all designed to make the background tasks of daily life fade into the background even more.

From reactive care to proactive wellness

Samsung also outlined a longer-term vision for health, where phones, wearables, and home devices work together to spot patterns before they become problems.

The company highlighted future plans around personalized exercise and sleep coaching, nutrition suggestions tied to what’s in your fridge, and early detection of potential health concerns. If something looks off, the system could alert users and connect them with healthcare providers through integrated platforms.

It’s an ambitious shift—from reacting to health issues to preventing them—and one that leans heavily on trust, data security, and accuracy.

Security as the quiet backbone

Underpinning the entire ecosystem is Samsung Knox and Knox Matrix, which the company positions as essential to making AI feel personal without feeling invasive. As AI models evolve, Samsung says its security systems are evolving alongside them, focusing on protecting data not just in use, but also during training and processing.

It’s a necessary reassurance, especially as AI becomes more embedded in private spaces like homes, kitchens, and bedrooms.

Tech, culture, and the Samsung brand

Ahn Hyo Seop at Samsung’s First Look event for CES 2026

The event also leaned into culture as part of the experience. Actor Ahn Hyo Seop (KPop Demon Hunters, Business Proposal) appeared as Samsung’s TV ambassador, while K-pop elements were woven throughout the exhibition. Several displays featured the Studio Choom performance of IVE’s “XOXZ.” One of their members — Jang Wonyoung — is a long-time Samsung Galaxy ambassador.

It was a reminder that Samsung’s vision of AI living isn’t just about efficiency—it’s also about entertainment, identity, and how technology fits into modern lifestyles.

A quieter, more confident CES message

At CES 2026, Samsung didn’t try to win attention with one loud announcement. Instead, it presented a calmer, more cohesive idea: that the future of AI isn’t a single breakthrough device, but a network of products that understand each other—and, ideally, you.

If Samsung can make that ecosystem feel as seamless in real homes as it did on the CES floor, “AI living” might finally start to feel less like a buzzword and more like a daily convenience.

OPPO Singapore celebrated the island’s 60th birthday through a vibrant SG60 campaign. This multi-dimensional initiative was designed to honor the milestone through youth creativity, technology, and community engagement.

One of the campaign’s major highlight was inviting the local photography community to capture the nation’s unique spirit. The theme for this contest was “Super Every Singapore Moment.”

The initiative invited Singaporeans to capture and celebrate the spirit of the nation through the lens of their smartphones. Moreover, the campaign is also part of the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025, so entries will have a shot at further distinction.

A social video was also published by OPPO later on to celebrate SG60. This clip highlighted how camera technology can empower creative expression and bridge connections with local creative communities.

Local celebrity Romeo Tan was featured in the video that highlighted the works of 20 enthusiasts. Their images reflected Singapore’s everyday beauty, diversity, and spirit.

More than just a tribute, OPPO says the video is a visual letter to the nation, crafted through the creative lens of local talent.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans can still join the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025. Entries are accepted until October 15 through the official contest platform. Winners can get up to US$ 5,000 and have their work exhibited globally.

Lastly, OPPO has partnered with Nanyang Technology University (NTU)’s veNTUre program to launch the OPPO Creative Studio.

This campaign was organized jointly with NTU’s Career & Attachment Office. It equips students with industry insights, strategic marketing guidance, and potential internship opportunities.

Moreover, the program challenges participants to answer “What does SG60 mean to you?” Students are encouraged to explore and express their reflections on nationhood using the new OPPO Reno14 Pro.

Soulslikes are a dime a dozen these days. People just can’t get enough of ultra difficult RPGs that can rip your hair out. This year alone has seen the launch of Elden Ring Nightreign, The First Berserker: Khazan, and Lies of P: Overture. Today, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers joins this crowded list, touting flowing combat and a dense story. Is it a worthy addition to the Soulslike tradition, or have we finally reached genre fatigue?

An audacious debut

With only a modest VR game released in the past, Leenzee makes its true industry debut with Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. As with all Soulslikes, Wuchang will endlessly tempt players into flinging their expensive controllers into the wall over its difficult boss fights. To entice players to keep going, the game also has a rich backstory they can carve out only through drip-fed lore nuggets.

Bai Wuchang, a female pirate, wakes up with amnesia (a perennial disease of every Soulslikes protagonist) in the lands of Shu. She also finds herself infected with a disease called Feathering. However, unlike other infected individuals, Wuchang remains lucid and doesn’t turn into a demonic monstrosity. Armed with her changdao (and an assortment of other weapons she can find along the way), she must traverse this awful land in search of answers to her mysterious disease.

Combat that caters to a true variety of play styles

Even if they offer enough weapons to fill an armory, Soulslikes can easily fall into the trap of making only a few options viable to play through the entire game. Wuchang avoids this problem by making each available weapon type as exciting as the others.

In the game, players can pick up longswords, one-handed swords, dual blades, spears, and axes. Each of these comes with a dedicated skill tree which unlocks new attacks, combos, and weapon upgrades. The spoke-like skill tree also has one additional branch catering to general upgrades such as the number of healing flask uses.

Personally, I prefer using one-handed swords and dual blades. But each weapon type is just as exciting because of how many combos you can chain together in combat.

Plus, there’s an interesting Skyborn Might system. Every successful dodge (or as triggered by some effects) grants you a charge of Skyborn Might, which you can then spend on powerful skills and spells. Because of how powerful these abilities are, it’s impossible to ignore this system. Most of my boss battles involved a rinse-and-repeat of recharging my Skyborn Might, expending them on one powerful attack, and backing away to do it again.

The Madness system also needs a big shoutout. The more she dies, the more Wuchang’s madness meter fills up. Higher madness means higher damage dealt… and taken. Certain skills are also unlocked based on madness level. A completely filled up madness meter results in an evil manifestation which hunts players down. It’s an excellent risk-reward system that rewards and punishes aggressive play styles. This is the game’s bright spot in my opinion.

Imbalanced difficulty cheapens the experience

That said, Wuchang has a difficulty problem. Now, as my colleagues and friends can attest to, I love the Soulslike genre. I thrive under the extreme challenge and the thrill of conquering a difficult boss. However, this game just pushes the boundaries of what’s acceptable.

A balanced diet of difficulty spikes is crucial to how enjoyable a Soulslike is. My favorite games in the genre often feature a gradual escalation of difficulty. Spikes are always designed to teach valuable mechanics in the game. For example, a rather difficult early-game boss (see: Father Gascoigne from Bloodborne) wants to teach players how to dodge properly, instead of just mashing the attack button.

Wuchang doesn’t feel balanced in this way. Right from the beginning, the game pits you against difficult enemies and unrelenting traps.

The difficulty is a problem because of poise. Now, poise is an 0ft-hidden mechanic in Soulslikes, which determines whether a character staggers when attacked. A character with high poise, for instance, can tank through an enemy’s hits to land a counterattack. Meanwhile, a low-poise character will stagger and have their animations cancelled. Wuchang has as much poise as a butterfly beelining towards a plane’s turbine. Every enemy attack, especially in the early game, staggers her, leading to an uninterrupted barrage of blows and (often) a game over screen. On the other hand, enemies have the poise of a brick wall. The imbalance is too much like a game of attrition where you constantly have to dodge with very little chance to launch a counterattack.

The traps, on the other hand, are way too many. It’s normal for a Soulslike to lure players into seemingly innocent situations, only to spring a surprise enemy. Wuchang relies on this too much. Every corner feels like it houses a hidden monstrosity. Having too much of traps is just the same as having none at all — but it’s worse because I have to pussyfoot everywhere.

Unoptimized engine creates too much load times

Normally, I don’t complain about the lack of optimization. I’m usually patient enough to withstand longer loading times. So, when I complain about Wuchang‘s lack of optimization, it’s saying something.

Loading times are longer than what most games take on modern hardware. Even the act of resting at a shrine (and thereby resetting the world) feels like it takes way longer than it should. Ironically, the game itself only has a modest file size, so it’s not like it has a huge pool to draw resources from.

Additionally, the graphics are strangely wonky. Don’t get me wrong; Wuchang is a beautiful game. But the odd dips in quality takes me out a bit. Now, I prefer playing on framerate mode, but I’m still losing frames. Certain UI elements, such as the meter that determines when an enemy staggers, become too pixelated to be of much use.

For reference, I played the game on a PlayStation. This is the first time I’ve ever experienced quality this poor on this machine.

Should you play Wuchang: Fallen Feathers?

In a segment as saturated as the Soulslike genre, having a truly revolutionary title is out of the question already. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers doesn’t add much to the segment, but it does get combat right. Among its peers, it has one of the most dynamic systems that can chain moves and combos easily with an abundance of skills and spells. Plus, the inspired madness system makes death much more impactful than other games.

That said, I wouldn’t call this an extremely polished game. The imbalanced difficulty and unoptimized engine prevent this game from achieving significant heights. However, Leenzee can easily fix this with a couple of patches. At its current state during my review, it still needs tweaking. I don’t think I’m tired of the Soulslike genre, but games like Wuchang don’t really help.