Consumer Technology Association SmartBrief
Plus: Oura expands health tracking from finger to face
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February 6, 2026
 
 
Consumer Technology Association SmartBrief
News covering the consumer technology industrySIGN UP ⋅   SHARE
 
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Today's Digital Pulse
 
Ford, Stellantis shift to extended-range EV pickups
Automakers like Ford and Stellantis have shifted their strategy from fully electric pickups to extended-range electric vehicles, which use a gasoline engine to charge the battery and extend total driving range to up to 700 miles. EREV pickups are designed to address concerns over limited range and long charging times that challenged the adoption of earlier EV trucks.
Full Story: CNBC (2/5)
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What AI Means for Retail Discovery
From search to purchase, AI is reshaping the shopper journey. This report draws on insights from 2,082 U.S. consumers to show how discovery is changing and what retailers need in place to stay visible. Read the report.
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Smart Home
 
Ikea’s move to Matter faces early reliability complaints
 
Ikea store in Krakow, Poland on April 4th, 2025. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
(NurPhoto/Getty Images)
Owners of Ikea’s new Matter-compatible smart home devices are reporting unusually high failure rates, with complaints flooding the Tradfri subreddit. The Verge was able to replicate some of the problems, such as pairing failures and unstable connections. While some users report no trouble, the volume and consistency of negative feedback have prompted Ikea to investigate further.
Full Story: PC Magazine (2/5)
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How hi-tech upgrades take care of business in smart bathrooms
How-To Geek (2/6)
 
 
Home Assistant's UI update puts its house in order
PCWorld (2/5)
 
 
Let Alexa call the plays for Super Bowl Sunday party
CNET (2/6)
 
 
 
 
Vehicle Tech
 
CarPlay Ultra poised for broader rollout
 
An iPhone showing Apple CarPlay is seen in front of a Tesla Model 3 screen displaying a CarPlay-style interface in Bari, Italy, on November 15, 2025. (Photo by Matteo Della Torre/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
(NurPhoto/Getty Images)
Apple's CarPlay Ultra, which debuted last year as an upgrade to Apple CarPlay and is currently only supported by Aston Martin, is expected to expand to at least one Hyundai or Kia vehicle by the end of the year, reports Bloomberg, possibly the Ioniq 3 EV. The software displays key driving information such as speed, fuel or battery status, tire pressure and engine diagnostics alongside Apple apps. It also enables control over built-in radio, climate functions and camera feeds, with Apple offering brand-specific interface designs and multiple presets for customization.
Full Story: The Mac Observer (2/1)
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Toyota planning 30% boost in hybrid production
Carscoops (2/5)
 
 
EV batteries have engineers rethinking ride comfort
Design News (2/5)
 
 
Ram considers hybrid powertrain for Dakota truck
Carscoops (2/5), Motor1 (UK) (2/4)
 
 
 
 
Featured Content
 
Sponsored Content from Netline
 
 
15 AI Mistakes CEOs Make and How to Avoid Them: A Guide to Human-Centered Technology Implementation
 
 
Create Your Dream Work
 
 
All Things Innovation Releases AI-Driven Innovation & Insights Solutions Showcase
 
 
Management Series: What do All Great Managers Have in Common
 
 
Stay Interviews: Why And How To Use Them Successfully
 
 
 
 
Tech News
 
Oura expands health tracking from finger to face
Oura plans to expand its health monitoring beyond smart rings by exploring new data collection points on the body, including the face, potentially through smart glasses. CEO Tom Hale noted that face-based wearables could offer additional insights, such as dietary habits, while capturing sensitive biometric signals from areas like the ears.
Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (2/5)
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T-Mobile pitches new loyalty plan to select subscribers
The Mobile Report (2/5)
 
 
Anthropic debuts agent teams in Opus 4.6
TechCrunch (tiered subscription model) (2/5)
 
 
Garmin releases enhanced rearview radar, taillight unit