Consumer Technology Association SmartBrief
Plus: Costco doubles down on digital to boost member experience
Created for NPkvdejmf6@niepodam.pl | Web Version
 
February 13, 2026
 
 
Consumer Technology Association SmartBrief
News covering the consumer technology industrySIGN UP ⋅   SHARE
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
Today's Digital Pulse
 
Rivian R2 launches on advanced EV platform
 
Rivian R2 launches on advanced EV platform
(Rivian/Instagram)
Rivian's new electric SUV R2, priced at $45,000, comes with significant engineering improvements over the R1 series. The R2 is built on a new EV platform and offers new 4695 cylindrical battery cells from LG Energy Solution, designed to deliver more energy per cell and fewer welds. Also, the operating system's architecture was redesigned to enable more intuitive gestures, such as sliding both left and right to access menus.
Full Story: InsideEVs (2/10)
share-text
 
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
 
Smart Home
 
Ring drops Flock citing privacy concerns on the block
Ring's partnership with Flock Safety has been cancelled after users expressed deep concerns about privacy and surveillance. The agreement, which aimed to allow police to request footage from Ring camera owners through the Community Requests program, sparked fears that videos could be used for mass surveillance or shared with agencies like ICE. Both companies noted a lack of customer trust and the significant resources required for integration as reasons for the cancellation.
Full Story: PC Magazine (2/13)
share-text
 
 
GeForce Now takes cloud gaming to Amazon Fire TV
9to5Google (2/12)
 
 
Dreame robot vac goes ultra low to clean under furniture
Digital Trends (2/12)
 
 
Smart induction stove shuts off doubts and burners
CNET (2/11)
 
2026 Survey: The AI Shift in Multilingual Translation
Delve into our latest industry survey revealing the surge in AI-driven translation as key for global business communication. Findings highlight the continued need for quality-focused strategies and human oversight. Download Now.
ADVERTISEMENT 
 
 
 
 
Vehicle Tech
 
Ferrari Luce interior features custom glass, OLED tech
 
Ferrari Luce interior features custom glass, OLED tech
(Ferrari)
Ferrari's first electric vehicle, the Luce, features a 1,000 horsepower engine and a 0-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds. The interior, designed in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom, includes blends of digital and analog elements. The dashboard features custom glass from Corning, designed to eliminate 99% of glare and used for the large instrument cluster and a compact, illuminated shifter knob. Corning developed a new glass formula, Fusion 5, specifically for the Luce, which undergoes a high-temperature salt bath and precision laser drilling for durability and visual intrigue. Samsung contributed OLED technology for the instrument dials and collaborated on the unique circular cutout in the infotainment screen.
Full Story: Road & Track (2/9), Car and Driver (2/9)
share-text
 
 
Consistent compute platforms accelerate AI-driven SDVs
Design News (2/11)
 
 
Next F-150 steers into the future hands-free
The Drive (2/12)
 
 
Geely adds safety features, Android Auto to EX5
Drive (Australia) (2/9)
 
 
 
 
Free eBooks and Resources
 
Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors
 
 
Nonverbal Communications Skills -- The 10 Skills You Need to Learn
 
 
70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)
 
 
Best Practices for Email Etiquette
 
 
11 Habits That Will Give You A Complete And Successful Life
 
 
Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide
 
 
 
 
Tech News
 
HP turns gaming laptops into a subscription
HP's Omen Gaming Subscription allows US customers to rent gaming laptops, offering the flexibility to access new models each year without a long-term commitment. The service aims to address rising hardware costs by enabling users to try out high-end laptops like the Victus 15 or Omen Max 16 for a monthly fee, rather than purchasing outright. A 30-day trial period is included, and users can also rent gaming accessories for an additional monthly cost.
Full Story: PC Magazine (2/11)
share-text