Global Scans · Touch Interfaces · Weekly Summary

• [New] By 2026, we will see truly multimodal interfaces where voice, gesture, and touch work in seamless concert rather than as separate input methods. Medium
• [New] The HomePad will feature a 7-inch touchscreen with a square aspect ratio and run Apple's new homeOS software - a completely new operating system that builds on the Touch ID strategy from the foldable iPhone while extending it to stationary devices. Gadget Hacks
• [New] Apple is working on a home hub that will serve as a centralized control point for smart home products, potentially branded as HomePod Touch or HomePad with a 7-inch touchscreen running Apple's new homeOS. Gadget Hacks
• [New] The exoskeleton revolution in 2026 is fundamentally human-centric. SocialBook Blog
• [New] The rumored 2026 basic iPad is expected to hold onto the current design - 11-inch, 60 Hz screen; Touch ID in the power button; USB-C, etc. - but with significant internal upgrades. Cult of Mac
• [New] The number of LEO satellites will touch between 15,000 and 18,000 in 2026, connecting over 15 million global subscribers. Electronics For You - Official Site ElectronicsForU.com
• 2026 Pixels will incorporate haptic feedback for camera-based interactions, vibrating to confirm scans or measurements. WebProNews
• Seven major traffic laws will be implemented in the new year - including major changes to red light laws in California as well as a touch law in Louisiana to combat distracted driving. The US Sun
• By 2026, brands that keep broadcasting one-way messages will feel out of touch. Yahoo Tech
• In 2026, the most effective programs will balance digital convenience with a human touch. Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency
• The HomePad will feature a 7-inch touchscreen with square aspect ratio and run Apple's new homeOS software - a completely new operating system that builds on the Touch ID strategy from the foldable iPhone while extending it to stationary devices. Gadget Hacks
• Treatments like lymphatic drainage massages will once again be spotlighted as people seek touch-based energy invigoration. The Business of Fashion
• Amber Monroe sees a radical restructuring of CS teams: CS teams will start to reorganize into pods where a few humans supervise large numbers of AI agents, enabling scalability while preserving high-touch, strategic relationships. SuccessCOACHING | Customer Success Training and Enablem
• Mayo Clinic is mapping out more than $1 billion in AI investments across 200+ projects that touch both operations and direct patient care. ThePromptBuddy
• By 2026, customers will expect the best of both worlds - the convenience of AI-driven content tailored to their needs, and the human touch that shows real understanding of their challenges. JDR Group
• With new AI tools emerging across creative software daily, designers will face an increasingly familiar challenge in 2026: utilizing the benefits of AI while maintaining the human touch that gives great design its magic. Idea Kraft
• The Portuguese footwear industry proves that tradition might be modern and technology can be fostered by a human touch. WWD
• Understanding what drives customer loyalty in 2026 means balancing key contradictions: personalization with privacy, speed with human touch, and value with quality. Qualtrics
• In 2026, hotels will continue to leverage AI for predictive personalization, freeing up human staff for high-touch interactions. Texas Hotel and Lodging - Texas Hotel and Lodging
• 2025 trends spilling into 2026 will favor touch-enabled surfaces and gesture controls, transforming user interactions. WebProNews
• The car key information stored within Apple Wallet will benefit from the high-level security protocols Apple's ecosystem is renowned for, including biometric authentication like Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only authorized users gain access to their Tesla. Tesla Mag

Last updated: 26 January 2026