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From Smart Blinds to Robotic Pool Cleaners: CES 2026 Recap!
Episode 21267th January 2026 • Around the House® Home Improvement: A Deep Dive into Your Home • Eric Goranson
00:00:00 00:13:23

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This week, we're diving into the whirlwind of wild and wacky tech coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where all the nerds get to show off their latest shiny toys. Eric G is our fearless guide through this chaotic wonderland, highlighting everything from Lutron's new smart wood blinds that can tilt like they're auditioning for a role in a sci-fi movie, to some seriously sleek robotic vacuums that can practically do the cha-cha under your couch. Seriously, if you've ever wished your home could just clean itself while you sit back and scroll through social media, your dreams might just come true. We’ll also touch on some killer partnerships in energy management and smart home security that could make your life just a tad easier—because who doesn’t want that? So grab your headphones and let’s get this tech party started! We're kicking off the New Year with a bang, and who better to guide us through the wild world of home improvement than our pal Eric G? After a much-needed holiday break (which, let's be honest, we all know was just a glorified excuse to eat too many cookies and binge-watch our favorite shows), Eric dives headfirst into the latest and greatest from the Consumer Electronics Show. You know, that fancy event where tech nerds gather to drool over gadgets we never knew we needed? Yeah, that one. Among the shiny new toys, Eric highlights the Casita Smart Wood Blinds - because why manually adjust your blinds when you can let technology do it for you? These beauties promise to optimize natural light like some kind of wizard, and all for a price that won't make you cry. If you’ve been dreaming of a home that practically runs itself, Eric’s got you covered with all the latest trends in smart home tech. So grab your toolbox, or, you know, just sit back and listen while you ponder the mysteries of who actually needs a robotic pool cleaner. Spoiler: it's definitely not me, but it sure sounds fun!

Takeaways:

  1. Eric G is back from a holiday break and ready to dive into CES, where all the cool gadgets are being unveiled this week.
  2. Among the highlights at CES is Lutron's new Casita Smart Wood Blinds, which are totally DIY-friendly and optimize natural light like a pro.
  3. Dream Technology is introducing their new robotic cleaners that can reach under the couch, because apparently that’s the new frontier in cleaning.
  4. The MyQ SecureView lock combines a smart lock and doorbell into one, because why not make life just a bit more complicated with tech?
  5. CES is showcasing a ton of partnerships aimed at smarter home energy management, so get ready for a future where your house knows more about your energy use than you do.
  6. Eric G warns us about recalls on power strips and above-ground pools, because nothing says 'Happy New Year' like a safety hazard!

Links referenced in this episode:

  1. aroundthehouseonline.com
  2. youtube.com/@aroundthehousewithericg

Companies mentioned in this episode:

  1. Lutron Electronics
  2. Dream Technology
  3. Mammotion
  4. aipeer
  5. Govee
  6. Chamberlain
  7. Ecoflow
  8. Homey by LG
  9. Bosch
  10. Nest
  11. Goy

Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen

If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support

We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/

Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Mentioned in this episode:

Around the House Top Products!

Producer Jim shares an insider look at Eric G's hand-curated Top 10 products for 2026. From smart locks and app-controlled garage openers to precision tools and energy-saving water heaters, these are the game-changing items Eric personally recommends to make your home smarter, safer, and more efficient. Head to AroundTheHouseOnline.com/Top-Products to see the full list, click the product links for exclusive Amazon deals, and upgrade your home today!794msFast

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Transcripts

Speaker A:

Foreign.

Speaker B:

The House with Eric G. Your go to source for everything home improvement.

Speaker B:

Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking to make your space shine, Eric.

Speaker A:

G. Is here to guide you through.

Speaker B:

The latest tips, tricks and trends.

Speaker B:

So grab your toolbox, put on your thinking cap, and let's get to work right here on around the House with.

Speaker A:

Eric G. Welcome to the around the House show.

Speaker A:

Happy New Year, everybody.

Speaker A:

Eric G. Here, man.

Speaker A:

We are diving into the first full week and I tell you what, Monday was hard to come back to work this week.

Speaker A:

Hope everybody got through the holidays.

Speaker A:

I sure had a great time out there.

Speaker A:

Headed to Southern California last week.

Speaker A:

That's why we didn't have a midweek special because I just wasn't gonna try to do it on the road.

Speaker A:

It was tough and just didn't make sense trying to travel with all the stuff and give you a subpar performance of that.

Speaker A:

We are back at it again this week.

Speaker A:

There are so many things going on.

Speaker A:

This is a big week this week with the Consumer Electronics show.

Speaker A:

And that is what's taken over the news of the week this week.

Speaker A:

Great example.

Speaker A:

There's a ton of products coming out.

Speaker A:

Really?

Speaker A:

I thought this was an interesting one.

Speaker A:

Lutron Electronics, we they're a friend of the show, not a sponsor, but a friend.

Speaker A:

They really have the lighting control and automated shading stuff covered for residential stuff just for the homeowner grade stuff out there.

Speaker A:

They do a great job of that with their Casita line and they just came out with their launch of their Casita Smart wood blinds.

Speaker A:

So this is designed for you, the DIY homeowner looking for something convenient, connected natural light control.

Speaker A:

And what's cool with these things is they're going to give you the reliability and quiet movement that you're expecting, but at a decent price point.

Speaker A:

$429 for windows up to 48 inches wide and 80 inches tall.

Speaker A:

One wire free installation and simple app setup make for an easy DIY DIY upgrade to any home.

Speaker A:

And so what's cool with these blinds?

Speaker A:

They come with the natural light optimization feature that automatically tilts blinds throughout the day according to the sun's position, bringing natural light into the home exactly when and where it's wanted.

Speaker A:

They have a customized button rail so you can actually manually lift and lower the blinds with ease if you want to.

Speaker A:

And the night, the Natural Light optimization, or they call it nlo, automatically adjusts the tilt of the blinds like I said, based on the position of the sun relative to the geographic location of the home.

Speaker A:

So it really thinks for you it is, hey, it's the hot of the day, it's going to shut them down and when you want to see out, it can open them up.

Speaker A:

So it's a really good deal.

Speaker A:

You can get wider sizes, an additional cost, so super DIY friendly.

Speaker A:

You can find those over@casita wireless.com and then just take a look at their smart shades area.

Speaker A:

One of the things that I'm noticing is a trend and I just can't come back from the holidays and run down to ces.

Speaker A:

It's always tough with our schedules because this is trade zero season.

Speaker A:

Boy, I tell you what, there's some great stuff that's been coming out here and I thought it was interesting.

Speaker A:

So there is a lot of robotic stuff that I'm seeing out here right now.

Speaker A:

So this is interesting.

Speaker A:

There's just a ton of stuff that you're seeing out here from robot facts to outdoor solutions really that are great example.

Speaker A:

So there's a whole new home smart ecosystem that's being brought out by Dream D R E A M E technology.

Speaker A:

They're a leader in smart home cleaning innovation.

Speaker A:

So they're coming out with a new ecosystem there.

Speaker A:

They're really coming out with some really thin vacuums that can go under the couch.

Speaker A:

So it's this old X60 series.

Speaker A:

So basically it's something that can go underneath that couch just a few inches tall.

Speaker A:

And there's a lot of great stuff out here.

Speaker A:

So take a look, you'll see it coming out.

Speaker A:

There's so many different pool cleaners.

Speaker A:

I wouldn't want to be a deck, a pool deck cleaner or pool cleaner out there.

Speaker A:

Any of you guys out there.

Speaker A:

Because I tell you what, this autonomous pool care stuff is getting really crazy.

Speaker A:

Mammotion unveils the Spino S1 Pro, an advanced pool cleaner with on deck self docking and underwater stable connectivity for hands free pool care.

Speaker A:

This thing is amazing looking.

Speaker A:

And then aipeer who you've seen probably out there before, they're another one that is pioneering the carefree and reliable smart home ecosystem.

Speaker A:

Basically they have got the outdoor robots covered.

Speaker A:

They've got the small pool one, they've got the yard one, they've got all these different things going on and, and really a homeowner friendly system right there.

Speaker A:

Really cool.

Speaker A:

So They've got the CES:

Speaker A:

first quarter with basically:

Speaker A:

So:

Speaker A:

So there's really a lot of great stuff coming on.

Speaker A:

They've got a new lawn care system, the IRASENS 2.

Speaker A:

It's the 4 in 1 multi zone smart irrigation system.

Speaker A:

So really we're really starting to see some of this stuff hit the mainstream products out there with stuff that's really getting better and better and better.

Speaker A:

Some new partnerships like ecoflow and Homey by LG announced partnership to enable smarter whole home energy management.

Speaker A:

So they're really working on that.

Speaker A:

I like to see some of these partnerships because they can work really well.

Speaker A:

So you get the ecoflow brand and then you're getting this whole alliance.

Speaker A:

So they've got Bosch Nest, Goy homie.

Speaker A:

All these different people are working together as one.

Speaker A:

So really it's gonna start helping if you, especially if you got solar.

Speaker A:

That's something that's gonna really make a big difference.

Speaker A:

So a lot of great stuff.

Speaker A:

We're gonna start seeing even more information out there as it comes out later in the week.

Speaker A:

But like my friends over at Chamberlain, they have a new smart home security with launch of the MyQ SecureView 3 in one smart lock.

Speaker A:

So they've got their own smart lock which will work with the garage door opener.

Speaker A:

So it's all in that MYQ system, which is cool and I think that's really cool and innovative.

Speaker A:

2K HDR video doorbell with color night vision.

Speaker A:

So it's the lock, the doorbell all in one.

Speaker A:

All right.

Speaker A:

In that.

Speaker A:

So really you can talk, see and unlock all from the same app.

Speaker A:

That's really cool.

Speaker A:

So you've got five entry methods.

Speaker A:

Face access, fingerprint rec, so you can see with a fingerprint pin entry, mobile app control, and a traditional key access.

Speaker A:

So it's all built as one.

Speaker A:

So my thing with that is I hope the battery is solid because I hope that goes.

Speaker A:

You don't have to keep charging that.

Speaker A:

But this will be coming out to the myq users on January 6th, which is today, and then to all customers beginning January 13th on select retailers.

Speaker A:

So we'll see how that goes.

Speaker A:

But that looks really cool.

Speaker A:

I don't see a price on it.

Speaker A:

So I'm curious to see what that is in their press release that showed up over here.

Speaker A:

But that is another one of those great products that could be really cool.

Speaker A:

And again, I like stuff that's integrated.

Speaker A:

I don't want to sit here and see stuff that is just one off.

Speaker A:

It's nice to see everybody working together and so I'm really excited about some of that stuff.

Speaker A:

That is great things happening right there.

Speaker A:

A lot of stuff coming out this week.

Speaker A:

There's a lot of new products, a lot of new things happening out there.

Speaker A:

Govee came out with new lighting innovations, with smart lighting.

Speaker A:

There's just a ton of stuff.

Speaker A:

So once I get all of it in here, I've got friends down there that are taking a look at CES for me.

Speaker A:

So we'll see what comes back out of it.

Speaker A:

But it's one thing to see it here, but it's another to have it working in front of you and take a look at it.

Speaker A:

So I'll be curious to see what comes out.

Speaker A:

There'll be more announcements in the next couple days because we're in the middle of ces, the Consumer Electronics show, so that will be a good one.

Speaker A:

We got a great show coming up this weekend, guys I'm excited about.

Speaker A:

There are some great things happening on the show.

Speaker A:

We're gonna have some fun, looking forward to getting back at it.

Speaker A:

And we're going to be talking about some stuff around your home, some projects and some great stuff there.

Speaker A:

Let's take a look real quick and see if there's any recalls out there because those recalls are something that I like to stay on top of for you so you can get an idea of what's going on.

Speaker A:

Because sometimes these things get pretty ugly out there and you hear about it too late.

Speaker A:

And so I'd rather hear you have you hear about it sooner than later.

Speaker A:

Usually it's a lot of kids stuff like nothing really new.

Speaker A:

The Blue Wave recalls their above ground pools due to drowning hazards.

Speaker A:

So they've got a repair kit for that.

Speaker A:

And really nothing much over the holidays.

Speaker A:

It kind of looks like the CPSC was pretty, pretty, pretty quiet over the holidays here.

Speaker A:

And if you didn't hear me talk about it, the Ancon brand power strips are black with the yellow plugins.

Speaker A:

Recall due to risk of serious injury or death from fire.

Speaker A:

Sold on Amazon.

Speaker A:

Amazon should have reached out for you, but there's about 11,200 of those that are that are recalled, so be careful of that.

Speaker A:

Otherwise we're good to go.

Speaker A:

I wanted to give you a quick sneak peek of what's going on at ces, the Consumer Electronics Show.

Speaker A:

That show is really cool.

Speaker A:

Usually it has a lot of homeowner stuff.

Speaker A:

It's got a lot of residential stuff there.

Speaker A:

But then it gets into commercial, it gets into automotive.

Speaker A:

So it's everything electronics.

Speaker A:

And that is stuff that can be a little interesting.

Speaker A:

But it takes a while to really see how good this stuff is.

Speaker A:

And is it actually gonna work?

Speaker A:

I've gotten stuff in the past from the CES show that I'm like, oh, this is great.

Speaker A:

And it lasts a couple months and I throw it away.

Speaker A:

And I've got more than one light fixture from some serious brands out there that couldn't hold up long term.

Speaker A:

And that's never good for them or for you as the consumer.

Speaker A:

All right, guys, have a great rest of the week.

Speaker A:

Happy Wednesday out there.

Speaker A:

We're gonna have a busy week this week.

Speaker A:

Can't wait to share the show on Friday with you.

Speaker A:

What's coming up?

Speaker A:

And we got a lot ahead and we got some great interviews coming up with people we've never talked to before in the next coming weeks.

Speaker A:

So stay tuned for that.

Speaker A:

And one little note, too.

Speaker A:

You're gonna hear me talking to a lot of our new listeners in the show because not only is our show on the podcast here, but we go out over hundreds of stations across the radio network with Talk Media Network, and we've added a bunch of stations, I think probably over a hundred to be make a guess, maybe even more.

Speaker A:

And so you're gonna hear me introducing people again, getting them back to it, because we added those stations here last week, and I want to make sure that we've got that kind of dialed in.

Speaker A:

So everybody is up to speed.

Speaker A:

So all of you guys out there been listening a long time.

Speaker A:

Appreciate the patience.

Speaker A:

We're gonna do it for a few weeks just to make sure that we get all our new people dialed in so they know how to get ahold of us and can be part of our around the House nation.

Speaker A:

Make sure to follow us.

Speaker A:

We got some new stuff up on the around the House Online website, a new buyer's guide with some new cool stuff up there that I found for January to do some shopping with and take a look over there.

Speaker A:

Some neat stuff to be found there.

Speaker A:

All right, everybody, have a great rest of the week.

Speaker A:

Happy New Year.

Speaker A:

We'll see you on Saturday.

Speaker A:

Thanks for tuning in to around the House.

Speaker A:

We'll see you then.

Speaker B:

Make sure to follow us on social media.

Speaker B:

Just head to aroundthehouse online.com for all the links.

Speaker B:

Make sure you check out our new YouTube channel.

Speaker B:

Just type in at around the House with Eric G and click subscribe and ring the bell for updates.

Speaker B:

We will see you next time.

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