ModuVerse unveils AI‑driven modular phones with meeting attachment at CES 2026
Why does a modular phone matter at CES 2026? The trade show is awash with concepts that promise to reshape how we carry tech, yet many of those ideas have been floating around for years. ModuVerse stepped onto the floor with a line‑up that pairs interchangeable “Modus” units with a suite of AI features, positioning the bundle as more than just a gimmick.
The company touts a magnetic meeting attachment that sticks to the back of the handset, projecting real‑time transcripts and translations onto a tiny display. It sounds slick, but the promise hinges on whether AI can truly add value beyond the hardware’s baseline functionality. Reporters who walked the aisles noted the familiar modular design and wondered if the AI layer is enough to justify the price tag and complexity.
The answer, according to one observer, hinges on the execution—something that becomes clear when you hear the following assessment.
Modular phone concepts are nothing new, so the AI hook is what makes ModuVerse unique -- in theory. One of the "Modus" makes sense: a meeting attachment that connects magnetically, generating AI transcripts and live translation onto a mini display on the back. But when I asked what made everything else AI, Infinix didn't really have any good answers.
The gimbal camera has AI stabilization, the vlogging lens uses AI to detect faces, and the microphone has AI voice isolation -- all technically AI-based, but not in any way that's interesting. As for the magnetic, stackable power banks, Infinix's reps eventually admitted they don't really have any AI at all. AI microwave There's a growing trend for AI and robotic cooking hardware -- The Verge's Jen Tuohy reviewed a $1,500 robot chef just last month -- but Wan AIChef is something altogether less impressive: an AI-enabled microwave.
ModuVerse’s booth stood out amid a sea of AI‑filled gadgets, promising a modular phone that talks back. The core idea isn’t new—modular phones have been tried before—but the AI angle is what the company touts as its edge. One of the “Modus” units, a magnetic meeting attachment, actually does something concrete: it snaps onto the phone, records conversations, and pushes real‑time transcripts and translation onto a tiny rear display.
That feature feels usable, especially for multilingual calls. Yet the broader claim that AI makes the whole system distinct remains vague. When pressed about what differentiates the rest of the device, the spokesperson offered no clear answer, leaving the value of the AI integration uncertain.
Across CES, similar AI add‑ons appeared in everything from hair clippers to stick vacuums, many of which felt more gimmick than utility. ModuVerse’s approach may avoid the most outlandish examples, but whether its AI‑driven modular concept will deliver lasting benefit is still unclear.
Further Reading
- Papers with Code - Latest NLP Research - Papers with Code
- Hugging Face Daily Papers - Hugging Face
- ArXiv CS.CL (Computation and Language) - ArXiv
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Common Questions Answered
What AI-powered feature does ModuVerse’s magnetic meeting attachment provide at CES 2026?
The magnetic meeting attachment records conversations and uses AI to generate real‑time transcripts and live translations, which are displayed on a tiny rear screen of the phone. This allows users to follow multilingual calls without external devices.
How does ModuVerse differentiate its modular phone from previous modular concepts using AI?
ModuVerse adds AI-driven functionalities to its “Modus” units, such as AI stabilization for the gimbal camera, AI face detection for the vlogging lens, and AI voice isolation for the microphone, positioning the phone as more than a gimmick. The AI hook, especially the meeting attachment, is presented as the unique selling point at CES 2026.
Which specific AI technologies are integrated into the other Modus units besides the meeting attachment?
The gimbal camera incorporates AI stabilization to smooth motion, the vlogging lens uses AI to detect and track faces, and the microphone employs AI voice isolation to reduce background noise. These AI features aim to enhance the overall user experience across different use cases.
Why does the article claim the meeting attachment is the only “concrete” AI feature among ModuVerse’s offerings?
The meeting attachment physically snaps onto the phone and delivers usable functionality by recording dialogue and projecting real‑time transcripts and translations onto a rear display, whereas the other AI claims lack clear demonstrations. Reviewers noted that only this attachment provided a tangible benefit during the CES showcase.