CES 2026: LEGO brings bricks to life with Smart Play tech

The LEGO Group debuted its newest interactive innovation, LEGO SMART Play, at CES 2026, which allows physical builds to respond to play in real-time. The system is anchored by the LEGO SMART Brick, a standard brick packed with advanced sensors, accelerometers, and a miniature speaker powered by an onboard synthesizer. This "invisible" technology enables builds to "play back" by reacting to movement and touch with context-specific sounds and light effects—all without the need for a screen or smartphone app.

The platform also introduces SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures, which contain unique digital IDs that the SMART Brick recognizes via magnetic coupling. When a character like Luke Skywalker is placed near a SMART-enabled starship, the system can trigger iconic sound effects, such as lightsaber hums or engine roars.

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'Star Wars: The Acolyte' emerges from the shadows with first trailer

In late 2020, Disney unveiled a slate of upcoming Star Wars projects, dominated by familiar heroes like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi. But one intriguing title flew under the radar: Star Wars: The Acolyte. Set during the little-known High Republic era (predating the original Star Wars film by centuries), details were scarce. News trickled out in 2023, with the announcement of a 2024 release and the casting of renowned actors Lee Jung-jae and Carrie-Anne Moss.

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The future of 'Star Wars' TV: Three new shows to watch in 2024

Photo: Lucasfilm

Star Wars television has grown from an experiment to a franchise within a franchise. The Mandalorian and its spin-offs, set in the New Republic era, have been the main focus of Disney+ Star Wars originals. But in 2024, Star Wars will release three new series exploring different periods and tones.

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Disney’s 'Star Wars' hotel to shut down in September

Image: Disney

Disney World is closing its Star Wars-themed hotel, the Galactic Starcruiser, after only opening its doors in March 2022. The hotel, which costs around $5,000 for a two-night stay, offers guests an immersive experience in the Halcyon starship from Star Wars. It features themed decor, interactive events, dining, and entertainment.

Disney says the Starcruiser will host its final guests from September 28 to the 30. The company will contact those who have bookings after September 30 to modify their plans or discuss options. It will also pause new bookings until May 26 to accommodate the affected guests. 

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