How to talk to your appliances - no Wi-Fi, hub, or smart home privacy risks required

Devices equipped with Emerson's SmartVoice don't require Wi-Fi or a hub; instead, they utilize on-device voice control. You can buy these appliances now.

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Emerson launched its SmartVoice technology at CES 2026.
• SmartVoice devices don't require Wi-Fi or a hub; instead, they use on-device voice control.
• The product line includes tower fans, heaters, air fryers, and electrical plugs.

While smart home devices are a major focus of CES, most of the tech we see often follows a pre-established pattern of requiring a hub or Wi-Fi to utilize its features. Emerson, an American electronics company, just launched a new line of smart home devices that does something different. 

Emerson's SmartVoice line of products enables you to control these devices with just your voice, eliminating the need for Wi-Fi ...