The Vivoo FlowPad turns menstrual pads into an at-home hormone test
The Vivoo FlowPad turns menstrual pads into an at-home hormone test

Wellness tech companies are increasingly interested in bodily fluids like blood, urine, sweat, and saliva. At CES 2026, it’s time to add menstrual blood to that list, too. Health tech startup Vivoo just announced the FlowPad, a roughly $4 to $5 menstrual pad that doubles as an at-home hormone test for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Users […]

The taint bandaid has evolved into the taint zapper
The taint bandaid has evolved into the taint zapper

Six years ago, I first laid eyes upon the taint bandaid. It was the first night of CES 2020. In a corner of the inaugural CES Unveiled showcase, there was a lonely booth. Upon a sparse table lay a mannequin with its smooth Ken doll gooch exposed. In that valley of white plastic was a […]

This smart mirror was a menace at CES 2026
This smart mirror was a menace at CES 2026

Imagine walking into CES 2026, sitting down in front of a smart mirror, taking a 30-second selfie, and getting a score for how well you’re aging. Well, last night, a bunch of other tech journalists did just that. I witnessed some journalists take critical damage to their self-esteem. Others wiped their brow in relief. Yours […]

This egg-shaped gadget aims to demystify hormones… with pee
This egg-shaped gadget aims to demystify hormones… with pee

Your urine can tell you a lot about your reproductive health hormones. Unfortunately, at-home testing can be cumbersome, involving collecting samples that are then mailed out to labs. That’s what health startup Mira is trying to simplify with its $249 Ultra4 Hormone Monitor. The pitch is to make highly accurate, readily available hormone testing for […]

Withings thinks of its latest smart scale as a ‘longevity station’
Withings thinks of its latest smart scale as a ‘longevity station’

Withings is back at CES 2026 with another smart scale: the $599.95 Body Scan 2. This time, it’s got an even tighter focus on cardiovascular and metabolic health. The Body Scan 2 contains eight electrodes on the scale itself, as well as an additional four electrodes within a retractable handle. This is similar to the […]

The Mui Board will support mmWave sleep tracking and gesture control
The Mui Board will support mmWave sleep tracking and gesture control

The Mui Board is, as far as smart home controllers go, soothing and nondescript. There’s no bright HD screen, or even anything obviously technological. It’s a smooth piece of wood that gently glows when you interact with it. So it makes sense that Mui Lab would suggest it as an excellent option for the bedroom. […]

US insurance giant Aflac says hackers stole personal and health data of 22.6 million

Aflac, one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., confirmed hackers stole reams of personal data, including Social Security numbers, identity documents, and health information.

The wellness wild west is back on its bullshit with unapproved weight loss drugs
The wellness wild west is back on its bullshit with unapproved weight loss drugs

This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest phones, smartwatches, apps, and other gizmos that swear they’re going to change your life. Optimizer will be taking a break for the holidays and will be back January 9th. Opt in for Optimizer here. […]