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10 Clever Home Appliance Innovations You’ll See in 2026

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KBIS 2026 was full of industry firsts. Much of the innovation on display at the sprawling home and kitchen showcase involved large appliances. Top brands, including Samsung, LG, GE and Sharp, were on hand to give a glimpse into the future of home tech.

We were there to see it all up close and speak with product managers, engineers and brand reps about all the new large-appliance features coming in 2026.  

The latest fridges, ovens, dishwashers and laundry systems were well represented on the show floor, and the innovations on display weren’t just flashy — they were practical upgrades designed to make home life a little easier.

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Here are 10 standouts from KBIS 2026.

1. Golden Heater, a new quick cooking technology

tray of cookies in oven

Sharp debuted its Celerity stove with industry-first cooking technology.

David Watsky/CNET

It’s not every year we get a new type of cooking technology. Sharp’s new Celerity oven features “Golden Heater” technology that fuses microwave, true convection and infrared heat to cook food three times faster than a standard oven. We tasted cookies baked in just 9 minutes — something that would normally take 15. The result? They were as good as Grandma’s.

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2. Fridge barcode scanner for easy grocery list making

A person scanning a jar on a GE Profile fridge

A handy built-in scanner helps keep track of grocery items as you run low. 

GE Profile

This technology was first unveiled at CES but GE Profile was on hand at KBIS to showcase its proprietary grocery barcode-scanning fridge. 

The smart fridge features a small scanner on the front door that lets you scan groceries as you run low. From there, you can add them to a list on your phone or buy directly through the brand’s Instacart integration. 

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3. Oven doneness detectors

A finger touching a screen on a smart oven

Several ovens on display at KBIS feature doneness detectors that alert you when food is browning, so you don’t overcook.

David Watsky/CNET

Oven manufacturers have been ratcheting up the smarts, too. Ovens have had cameras for a while, but more innovative algorithms are learning to better use them. Doneness detectors, which monitor the food as it cooks for signs of browning and alert you when it’s getting close, are designed to prevent burning and overcooking. 

KitchenAid, Sharp and LG are just a few of the kitchen brands that are integrating a doneness detector into their upcoming ovens.

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4. Bottle and straw washers

A washing machine showing straw washers in action

Midea’s washing machine has dedicated reusable straw washers.

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One of our favorite upgrades was Midea’s straw washing station in its new washing machines, set for release this year. Straws are notoriously tricky to clean, but this dedicated spot on the bottom rack shoots water directly into your reusable straws, ridding them of grime, mold and other buildup.  

5. Built-in basket to save your sweaters

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A washer shot from above with a delicates basket full of clothing items in the center

This simple addition to the washing machine drum protects your sweaters and delicates from abuse. 

David Watsky/CNET

Whirlpool unveiled the industry-first built-in delicates basket. A simple design that allows you to wash delicate sweaters and shirts with a regular load. 

The basket keeps those items free from the hard pummeling that happens in a standard wash. It’s also good for keeping socks together, so matching is easier when it’s time to fold.

6. Nugget ice maker for the fridge

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A nugget ice maker on a fridge door

Whirlpool’s new fridge makes nugget ice in the front and classic cubes in the freezer below.

David Watsky/CNET

With all the enthusiasm around nugget ice, it’s hard to believe we’re just now getting our first fridge with a built-in nugget ice maker. Whirlpool’s latest release pumps out crunchy, chewable ice from a front dispenser and standard cubed ice from the bottom freezer.

7. Washing machine UV cleaning

UV cleaning cycle on washing machine

UV cleaning enables the machine to combat bacteria even during a cold-water wash.

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David Watsky/CNET

While this one struck me as a little gimmicky, Whirlpool has introduced the world’s first UV-cleaning washing machine, which blasts clothes during a standard wash to kill bacteria. 

The point of UV cleaning is to combat bacteria without using scalding hot water, which can be harsh on fabrics over time.

8. A built-in sous vide tank

A sous vide tank on the side of a cooktop

SKS’s feature-rich oven has a built-in sous vide tank.

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David Watsky/CNET

Sous vide cooking has been adopted by home cooks and pro chefs alike. The low-and-slow water bath typically requires specialized equipment, but SKS’s new feature-rich stove has a sous vide tank built into the cooktop. 

The catch? The stove, which has gas and induction burners and loads of other innovative features, costs a whopping $12,000.

9. Bottom dishwasher rack that flips up for easy loading

A dishwasher with the bottom rack flipped up

A dishwasher with a bottom rack that flips up for easy loading? Yes, please.

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David Watsky/CNET

Kenmore’s soon-to-be-released dishwasher features a straightforward update that makes loading and unloading a breeze. The bottom rack slides out and flips up to the same height as the top rack. It’s sure to be a welcome innovation for those with back problems or mobility issues. 

10. Smart AutoFill water dispensers

A pitcher under an autofill spout on a fridge

Intelligent autofill allows you to set a glass or bottle down and walk away while it fills.

KitchenAid

Fridges are getting smarter and that includes the water spouts. We saw multiple fridges, including those from GE and KitchenAid, with intelligent autofill technologies that use cameras or weight sensors to determine exactly how much water to fill in a bottle or glass. When it’s 90% full, the water stops, allowing you to walk away.

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This Isn’t Just a Floppy Disk, But Also a Web Server Running an Operating System

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Floppy Disk OS Web Server
Today, a single 1.44MB floppy disk is sufficient to run an entire operating system and a functional web server. Despite the fact that hardware costs are soaring, this demonstrates that you don’t need the latest and greatest to support a server; just a little old-fashioned efficiency.


Action Retro, a retro computing enthusiast, accomplished this by booting ELKS (which stands for Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset) directly from a floppy disk. ELKS is a lightweight operating system that is only a quarter of the size of a standard operating system, yet it still has a full kernel, TCP/IP networking, device drivers, shell, and other features.

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ELKS is a lightweight version of Linux that was originally designed to run on some very old 16-bit machines, so old that it only goes up to the 286 era, but it still has a lot of life in it, as it runs well on 256KB of RAM, and in some cases as little as 128KB, whereas regular images require about 512KB. Of course, the secret to ELKS’ small weight is that it is fully bloat-free, with no new and fancy software or features to get in the way, just a lean, mean, and efficient machine that gets the job done.

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Floppy Disk OS Web Server ELKS
Action Retro made the disk by getting a bootable ELKS floppy image from the project’s GitHub source code repository. He then used his Mac’s dd tool to transfer the image on a regular 3.5-inch floppy disk. He chose a Socket 3 motherboard with a 120MHz AMD 486DX4 CPU to support the ELKS operating system, which he linked to a 3Com EtherLink III Ethernet adapter that happened to include ELKS drivers. The only accessories required are a keyboard, a visual card, and a floppy disk drive. A hard drive is not required because this is a simple system.

Floppy Disk OS Web Server ELKS
Booting is quick, as you are immediately sent to a command line. The network setup is a little more involved; you must manually update a few configuration files. In boot.opts, you specify a local IP address, hostname, and gateway. In net.config, you load the Ethernet driver and configure the netmask. At startup, the TCP/IP stack and its associated daemons are automatically launched.

Floppy Disk OS Web Server ELKS
Once up and running, the HTTP server uses the floppy drive to offer rudimentary web pages. Action Retro even used FTP to upload a basic HTML file and a few JPEG photos from another PC. He used vi to edit the page on the ELKS system to ensure its perfection. Because this gadget is running on a floppy disk, the web pages are locally accessible; simply visit the associated IP address and you’ll be ready to go.

Floppy Disk OS Web Server ELKS
If you have an ancient PC, a working floppy drive, and the ELKS image, you can basically replicate this setup. Just go to the GitHub page, download the image, write it to a floppy drive, setup the networking, and boot; it’s truly that simple. The end product is a nice reminder that sometimes little is more; an outdated floppy disk can still produce a functional server with plenty of space to spare.
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What to Know About At-Home STI Tests: Pros, Cons, and Recommendations (2026)

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If you’re the kind of person who gets nervous or squeamish at the doctor’s office, you might find that collecting your own samples doesn’t freak you out as much as someone in a white coat doing it.

Depending on where you live and your transportation situation, at-home STD tests might be more accessible than visiting a clinic or making a doctor’s appointment. And you can pay for them out of pocket, which might be a better option based on your health insurance.

Finally, and unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections have a stigma attached to them. You shouldn’t feel ashamed of checking up on your sexual health—far from it, in fact—but at-home tests might be a better option if you’re concerned about what others may think.

The Cons of At-Home STI Tests

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At-home STI tests are expensive. Depending on your specific health care situation, they might be more affordable, and many of them are FSA- and HSA-eligible or may be covered by insurance. But if you live in an area where there’s free testing through your city or state health departments, or a third-party clinic like Planned Parenthood, those options are likely going to be much cheaper than testing at home.

There’s also the risk of you collecting your samples incorrectly, which can lead to false negatives. Depending on the test you choose, if you do get positive results for a sexually transmitted infection, you might still end up having to go visit a doctor in person to get it treated. While many tests are reputable, it’s still important to ensure that the lab analyzing your results is well-regulated (and that the test itself comes from a reputable company). “It’s important to follow the kit instructions exactly and collect the sample properly while avoiding contamination. You should also follow the warnings and avoid factors that can interfere with results, including incorrect kit storage or use of certain products in the last 48 hours,” says Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Chief Medical Officer at Visby Medical.

Your individual health and timing can impact the accuracy of at-home tests, too. For example, if you’re on your period or have recently used antibiotics, those variables might affect the quality of the samples you can collect. A health care provider can take these things into account and adjust your testing protocol accordingly.

If the situation is urgent—for example, if you’re experiencing physical symptoms that raised concerns, or you’re immunocompromised, or you’re pregnant, or you know you were exposed to an STI—it’s important to actually visit a health care provider rather than trying to treat your condition at home. “I still recommend people who’re having symptoms or know they’ve been with someone that has an STI to seek professional sexual health care to be completely sure, as a false result from a do-it-at-home-kit can make you think you’re okay and therefore dismiss or overlook symptoms,” says Roos.

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If privacy is a concern, it might actually be more beneficial for you to go to a routine doctor’s appointment rather than having the packaging for an STD test in the trash. And if you think you might test positive for something, it might be beneficial for you to hear that news from a health care provider rather than finding out while opening the mail in your kitchen. It’s something that’s important to think through before you decide to go with testing at home.

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Amazon halts Blue Jay after six months while unveiling Vulcan’s advanced dual-arm robotics for faster, smarter warehouse operations

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  • Blue Jay lasted less than six months despite rapid development speed
  • Prototype status was not clearly communicated during Blue Jay’s initial press announcements
  • Blue Jay employees are reassigned to programs leveraging core robotic innovations

Amazon has been steadily developing warehouse robotics since acquiring Kiva Systems in 2012, creating the foundation for automated fulfillment centers.

By July 2025, the company had deployed more than 1 million robots in its warehouses, showing a strong commitment to robotics while also highlighting the operational complexity involved.

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Pull&Bear to exit S’pore as parent company shutters outlets worldwide

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Its final outlet at VivoCity will close down on Feb 22

Fashion retailer Pull&Bear is set to close down its last remaining outlet in Singapore at VivoCity on Sunday (Feb 22).

In a notice on their website, the brand said: “Our stores will close on Feb 22. Returns for purchases made both online and in stores can still be made at Zara VivoCity. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team via contact.sg@pullandbear.com.”

Pull&Bear closure noticePull&Bear closure notice
Screen shot by Vulcan Post

Pull&Bear is a Spanish brand, part of the Inditex Group, which is widely regarded as the world’s largest fashion retailer. The group also owns brands such as Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius.

According to its website, Pull&Bear first entered Singapore in 2006 as part of its broader expansion into Asia. The brand operated four stores here at its peak, including at Bugis+, ION Orchard, and Ngee Ann City.

Its former Bugis+ outlet has since been taken over by the first Singapore outlet of Chick-fil-A, which opened in Dec 2025.

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Reasons for Pull&Bear’s closure in Singapore remain unknown. However, it comes amid global store closures by Inditex Group. According to a Dec 2025 report cited by CNA, the group has shuttered more than 100 stores year-to-date as part of efforts to strengthen its financial position.

Moreover, in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Inditex Group announced that it would close as many as 1,200 stores to boost online sales.

Its brands have also scaled back in Singapore previously, including Bershka. The label once operated physical stores at Bugis+, ION Orchard and VivoCity; however, it no longer has any outlets in the country today, though shoppers can still purchase its products via its Singapore website.

Pull&Bear Singapore’s website is currently unavailable for online purchases. Whether the brand will maintain an e-commerce presence in Singapore remains unclear.

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Vulcan Post has reached out to Pull&Bear and Inditex Group for comments.

  • Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.

Featured Image Credit: Peifeng via Google Reviews

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Ubisoft lays off 40 staff working on Splinter Cell remake, says game remains in development

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It has already been a depressingly busy year for layoffs at Ubisoft, and the French publisher’s Toronto studio is the latest workforce to be hit. Around 40 jobs have been cut at the studio, which is one of Ubisoft’s largest and has previously worked on games including Watch Dogs: Legion and Far Cry 6.

“This decision was not taken lightly and does not in any way reflect the talent, dedication, or contributions of the individuals affected,” Ubisoft said in a statement to , which first reported the new layoffs. “Our priority now is to support them through this transition with comprehensive severance packages and robust career placement assistance.”

Ubisoft Toronto is currently working on the long-awaited Splinter Cell remake, which was first in 2021. The publisher says the game remains in development, and the Canadian studio will continue to assist with development on other games.

The Toronto layoffs come after similar staff cuts at its studios, while up to 200 people could reportedly be let go at its headquarters. The affected roles are casualties of a wider organizational restructuring at the troubled company, which recently canceled another high-profile in The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Last week, 1,200 Ubisoft employees went on in reaction to the recent layoffs and sweeping cost-cutting measures.

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What is mogging? What is looksmaxxing? Who is Clavicular? We explain.

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Do you remember where you were when Clavicular got brutally framemogged by an ASU fraternity leader?

Or maybe you saw the clips of the 20-year-old creator — alongside Andrew Tate and white nationalist Nick Fuentes — dancing to Kanye West’s “Heil Hitler” at a Miami nightclub.

Or maybe you have no idea what any of this means.

The internet subculture known as looksmaxxing, has recently jumped from obscure message boards into the mainstream — thanks in part to a 20-year-old creator who goes by Clavicular.

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Clavicular’s real name is Braden Peters. And he’s not just posting about skincare routines or plastic surgery. Peters recently weighed in on the 2028 presidential election, arguing that if the race were between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President JD Vance, Newsom would win for one simple reason: He’s more attractive.

To understand how appearance, politics, and online extremism are brewing in this corner of the internet, Today, Explained co-host Noel King spoke with Atlantic staff writer and host of the podcast Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel.

Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. You can hear the full episode wherever you get podcasts — including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.

Clavicular is a young man — he’s in his 20s. He started posting on the internet as a teenager, around when he was about 15 years old, on these looksmaxxing forums, which are forums that are dedicated to making yourself as aesthetically perfect as humanly possible through body modification.

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Clavicular basically toiled in obscurity for a really long time until he allegedly hit someone with his Cybertruck while he was live streaming on Christmas Eve of this past year.

Who are the looksmaxxers?

The looksmaxxers are complicated because they overlap with lots of other communities online. There’s the involuntarily celibate community, known as incels, that have links to violent extremism. But really there’s this core feeling in looksmaxxing that the only thing that matters in all of life is how good you look, that that is tied to your self-worth in every way, and that what you should be doing is trying by all means necessary — whether that is breaking bones in your body, whether that is chewing on a rubber ball for hours a day — to get your jawline to be straighter. To get a leg up, you need to do that because the best thing that you can do is go out in the world and look better than everyone else and document the heck out of it.

What do we know about what Clavicular has done to himself?

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He has said on various podcasts, etc., that he has smashed his face with a hammer. The theory there is that when your bones break, they grow back stronger.

And so he has smashed his face, his jawline, in order to strengthen it to make it look better. He started, according to him, taking testosterone when he was around 14 or 15 years old in order to speed up his puberty and get his body looking like an adult. He’s said he’s taken methamphetamines in order to hollow out his cheeks.

The looksmaxxers have their own language, which I find very compelling. Can you define a couple of the terms?

“These guys are extremely effective attention hijackers, and that is important.”

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Mogging is looking better than someone looking hot. And actually what I found is it’s a sort of an acronym, but it stands for alpha male of the group, [shortened to] male of the group — MOG.

There’s all kinds of words that they’re just making up on the spot too, like jestermaxxing, which is being jocular, jovial, having fun.

What is the objective of being hot? What is the purpose of all this?

It is social dominance really, or just dominance in general. This idea of mogging comes from this alpha male of group acronym: The “alpha” part of that, and the “male” part of that are both extremely important. And so going out in public as an extremely hot person is not just to show how beautiful you are, but it’s to be dominant over other people. You want to make other people look bad. You want them to feel bad about themselves based on how unbelievably attractive you are, and you also want to basically conquer women.

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I’ve read your pieces and I listened to your podcast and there’s a thing that I think you both say directly and kind of dance around, which is…this seems stupid, but it isn’t actually stupid. Explain what you mean.

I think it’s stupid on the content level. It’s lacking in substance is how I would put it. There’s the clip of Clavicular, I believe he’s in Miami. He’s with this streamer, Sneako, who’s very popular, and Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist Groyper leader, also a streamer. And they are in a living room somewhere in an apartment and having a conversation that is incredibly stilted, just incredibly vapid. There’s just not a lot being exchanged there.

Clavicular seems to react like he is one of those wind-up dolls. You pull the string and there’s like five different reactions. So one of them’s like, “Hey dude, that’s so based, sick.” And so on the substance level, there’s that.

Then there’s the element of what he means, what that vapid content means, what the popularity of someone like Clavicular means. And I think that that is not stupid. The fact that I’m writing an article about him in The Atlantic because he’s hanging out with these people. The fact that he was able to leverage his popularity into this situation where he is meeting with Andrew Tate, the manosphere influencer. Fuentes, who is influential enough that he’s trying to force the MAGA coalition further towards white nationalism. That he’s able to go into a club with these guys and get them to play the Ye song, “Heil Hitler,” and turn that into this viral moment that then gets the mayor of Miami to have to react to it, to condemn it, to basically apologize on behalf of the city for letting this happen. These guys are extremely effective attention hijackers, and that is important.

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Type Soul Trello V2 Link (2026)

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Inspired by the super-popular anime and manga series Bleach, Type Soul is a Roblox game where players can roleplay as one of three main character races, each with unique abilities and progression systems. However, while the game offers an amazing experience, its complex game mechanics, races, and weapons can be overwhelming for new players. That’s where the Trello Board comes in.

What Is the Type Soul Trello Link?

The Type Soul official Trello board is your go-to destination for everything about the game. The developers update and revamp the game regularly to keep the experience fresh and fun for players. The Trello board is rich in detailed information, ranging from gameplay mechanics to guides and updates, to help players maximize their experience.

To remain up to date with these changes, the developers created a new Trello board, and it is named “Type Soul Info V2.” This one retains all the new mechanics, features, and strategies in an easily accessible manner to the community. The most amazing thing about this Trello board is that there is no complex verification process to see it.

Inside the Trello Board

image for Inside the Trello Board

The Type Soul Trello V2 board simplifies your gameplay. It provides step-by-step instructions for selecting your class: Soul Reaper, Hollow, or Quincy, and browsing the skill trees and the weapon systems. The board also contains more in-depth info on the game mechanics, which makes it easy for you to master raids, unlock strong Shikai, and get rare Essences.

One of the highlights is its item categorization, which organizes loot boxes and other items by rarity. In addition, the board links to useful game materials, and there is a Q&A section to answer all your questions about Type Souls. With its full-page size, this board is an essential guide for each player.

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Also, make sure to redeem the latest Type Soul Codes to enhance your gameplay and gain valuable in-game items.

Type Soul Discord Link

The Type Soul Discord server is your gateway to the game world and its creators. It’s where you can chat with other players, exchange tips, and get the latest news and announcements. It’s also where you can ask questions, exchange tips, or find raid and event groups. Developers also post significant news and updates, so you never miss a step. Don’t miss this handy resource!

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How to watch the Winter Games Closing Ceremony today

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The 2026 Winter Olympics come to an end this weekend. This year’s Closing Ceremony theme is “Beauty in Action.” The event will feature appearances from musician and DJ Gabry Ponte, actress Benedetta Porcaroli, and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle. Alfredo Accatino, the ceremony’s artistic director, has promised the ceremony will “begin with lots of colors and end with a party.”

The ceremony will kick off today at 2:30PM ET on NBC and Peacock. An encore broadcast will air on NBC at 9PM Here’s everything you need to know to watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Closing Ceremony. (And as we close out the Winter Games, here’s a look at the final medal count, too.)

How to watch the Closing Ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics

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Image for the mini product module
Image for the mini product module

Date: Sunday, Feb. 22

Time: Airs live at 2:30PM ET; primetime re-air at 9PM ET

Location: Verona Arena, Verona, Italy

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TV channel: NBC

Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV, NBC.com and more

Olympics Closing Ceremony start time

The ceremony will kick off at 2:30 PM ET on Sunday afternoon. An encore broadcast will also air on NBC at 9PM ET/PT.

How to watch the Closing Ceremony live for free

There are a couple of ways to watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22. You can tune in live Sunday afternoon on NBC or stream live on Peacock, or catch the encore broadcast on NBC, which is available with DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and more.

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Peacock is the streaming home of the 2026 Olympics.

While a regular Peacock subscription begins at $10.99 for a Premium Plan and goes up to $16.99 for the ad-free Premium Plus plan, you can get an ad-supported subscription for free if you’re a Walmart+ subscriber.

Walmart+ members actually get their choice between Paramount+ or Peacock included in their membership at no additional cost. A monthly subscription to Walmart+ costs $12.99, and an annual plan usually costs $98. But you can try the service out totally free. Beyond free Peacock, Walmart+ has additional perks like five free months of Apple Music, discounts on Cinemark movie theater memberships, free shipping and delivery on Walmart purchases, discounts on gas and much more.

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Instacart+ subscribers are able to get an annual Peacock Premium plan (a $109.99 value) for free. After a free 14-day trial, Instacart+ plans cost $99/year, meaning you’ll save more on Peacock simply by subscribing to the delivery service, but you’ll get tons of extras, like free grocery and restaurant delivery and a free subscription to the New York Times Cooking app.

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DirecTV’s Entertainment tier gets you access to loads of channels where you can tune in to college and pro sports, the Winter Olympics and more. Channels include ESPN, TNT, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, and, depending on where you live, local affiliates for ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.

Whichever package you choose, you’ll get unlimited Cloud DVR storage and access to ESPN+’s new streaming tier, ESPN Unlimited.

DirecTV’s Entertainment tier package is $89.99/month. But you can currently try all this out for free for five days. If you’re interested in trying out a live-TV streaming service for football season but aren’t ready to commit, we recommend starting with DirecTV.

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More ways to watch the closing ceremony without cable

You can watch the ceremony live or on demand on Peacock as well as on NBC.com, NBCOlympics.com and the NBC app.

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For $11/month, an ad-supported Peacock subscription lets you stream live sports and events airing on NBC, including the 2026 Winter Olympics. Plus, you’ll get access to thousands of hours of shows and movies, including beloved sitcoms such as Parks and Recreation and The Office, every Bravo show and much more.

For $17 monthly, you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription that includes live access to your local NBC affiliate (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.

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Who is performing at the Closing Ceremony?

Italian musician and DJ Gabry Ponte is one of the headliners. Other confirmed performers include Italian actress Benedetta Porcaroli and Italian ballet dancer Roberto Bolle. Expect to see another parade of athletes, the flag handover to the 2030 Olympic hosts from France, and the ceremonial extinguishing of the Olympic flame.

Where is the Closing Ceremony being held?

The 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony will be held at the Verona Arena in Verona, Italy.

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NASA targets March 6 for Artemis 2 launch to take astronauts around the Moon

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The Artemis 2 launch is edging closer as NASA has now set a target date for the 10-day mission to get underway. The agency is aiming to launch as soon as March 6 following a successful wet dress rehearsal on Thursday. The first attempt, which took place in early February, failed due to a hydrogen leak.

During Thursday’s rehearsal, NASA was able to fuel the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid propellant and complete two runs of terminal count — the final step of the launch countdown — at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While there was a hiccup due to a loss of ground communications, NASA was able to move to a backup system before the regular comms channels were back in operation. The agency said engineers pinpointed the equipment that caused the problem.

“Following that successful wet dress yesterday, we’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt,” Dr. Lori Glaze, NASA’s Moon to Mars program manager, said at a press conference on Friday. Glaze added that there’s still much that has to be done before launch, including an analysis of the wet dress, a flight-readiness review and work on the launch pad.

The four Artemis 2 astronauts are expected to go into quarantine later on Friday in preparation for the launch, which will mark the Orion spacecraft’s first crewed mission. It will be the first time in more than 50 years that a crew will travel around the Moon and it will be humanity’s furthest-ever journey into space. The astronauts will test Orion’s critical life support systems as a precursor to lunar landings.

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What Is Down Fill Power (2026): Fill Weight, Synthetics

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Updated February 2026: We’ve added a new section on caring for down and some notes on Outdoor Vital’s Zero Stitch fabric.

What Does Down Fill Power Tell You?

The higher the fill power, the greater the loft. Down puffer jackets and sleeping bags keep you warm by trapping the warmth coming off your body, retaining it in air pockets between the down. A higher down fill power means the down has more loft, which means there are more air pockets, which means that more heat is retained. If everything else is equal, that means that a higher fill power garment will be warmer than one with a lower fill power.

Unfortunately, everything else is never equal. Fill power alone is not enough information to know how warm something will be. There is no direct correspondence between fill power and how warm a product will keep you, because there are many other factors to consider, like how much of that fill is in the product, how well it can expand within the baffles or down chambers, how well does the fabric stop the wind, and so on.

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To know how warm a down jacket, sleeping bag, or comforter will be, you need to know at least one other number: the fill weight.

What Is Down Fill Weight?

Down feather winter jackets hanging by dark brown wooden hangers on a rack pole. The jackets are in multiples of yellow...

Photograph: Tatiana/Getty Images

Down fill weight is a simple number. It’s the amount of down in the product, usually measured in ounces or grams. Using down fill weight and down fill power together can give you way to compare two items. For example, the relative ability of a puffer jacket to retain heat can be estimated by multiplying the fill power by the fill weight. This means that a 900 fill power jacket with 2 ounces of fill weight will be able to trap about the same amount of heat as a 600 fill power jacket with 3 ounces of fill weight. The big difference between them, and the reason they are priced differently, is the weight of each and the packed size.

In jackets, the weight difference isn’t huge. This is why some of our favorite puffer jackets are 600 fill power. When it comes to sleeping bags, though, things are different. Since there is a lot more down in a sleeping bag, the weight difference between equivalent amounts of fill power is more significant. Unless your budget is unlimited, you’ll want to pay attention to the warmth-to-weight ratio. How much warmth do you need, and how much weight do you mind carrying?

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The one downside to down fill weight is that some manufacturers don’t list this. It sounds great to say your puffer jacket as 900 fill power down, but when you have to list that it only has 2 ounces of it, it sounds less impressive. Less reputable companies often don’t advertise the fill weight. We list fill weight of all the jackets we test.

Other Factors to Consider

Tan sleeping bag partially zipped up with the flap open to show the yellow interior

Courtesy of REI

While down fill power and down fill weight together give us a way to compare items, there are other things to consider to get an idea of overall warmth. The third major factor is the baffles, the compartments that are built into the product. If you just sewed up a single piece of nylon as a shell and shoved some down inside, gravity and movement would push it all down near the hem in a matter of minutes. To avoid this, garment makers add baffles to keep the down in place. Baffle type and shape play a big part in how warm your jacket, sleeping bag, or comforter ends up being.

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