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Devices not making health claims will get a quicker path to market

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it will ease regulatory requirements for certain consumer wearable health devices.

• Officials say the move is intended to speed innovation while maintaining patient safety.

• Industry groups welcomed the change, while some consumer advocates urged caution.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that it will relax portions of its regulatory framework governing wearable health devices, a move the agency says is designed to encourage innovation and expand consumer access to digital health tools.

The agency used the venue of the CES 2026 show in Las Vegas to make the announcement. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary addressed attendees, saying the FDA needs to move at the speed of Silicon Valley.

Under the updated policy, some wearable devices that track metrics such as heart rate, physical activity, sleep patterns, and other noninvasive indicators will face fewer premarket review requirements. The FDA said the changes will primarily apply to low-risk products intended for general wellness rather than for diagnosing or treating specific medical conditions.

Wearable devices, including smartwatches, fitness bands, and sensor-equipped clothing, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Manufacturers have argued that existing regulatory pathways can be costly and time-consuming, particularly for products that pose minimal risk to consumers.

Will not apply to devices that make medical claims

The FDA emphasized that the relaxed rules will not apply to devices that make medical claims or are used for critical clinical decision-making. Products designed to detect serious conditions, guide treatment, or replace traditional medical devices will still be subject to full regulatory oversight.

Technology companies and digital health startups praised the announcement, saying it could shorten development timelines and lower barriers to entry.

Consumer and patient advocacy groups offered a more cautious response. Some warned that looser oversight could lead to confusion if consumers rely too heavily on wellness devices for medical guidance.

The FDA said it will continue to monitor the wearable device market and adjust its policies as needed. The agency also encouraged manufacturers to follow best practices for data accuracy, cybersecurity, and consumer disclosure, even when formal regulatory requirements are reduced.

The updated guidance is expected to take effect later this year.

What to consider

When choosing a wearable device, consumers should look beyond price and style and consider how the device will actually fit into their health, lifestyle, and privacy needs. Key factors include:

Accuracy and purpose
Not all wearables are designed for the same goals. Some focus on general wellness, like step counts and sleep tracking, while others monitor heart rhythm, blood oxygen, or stress indicators. Consumers should check whether the device is intended for fitness, wellness, or medical supportand understand that most are not diagnostic tools.

Data privacy and security
Wearables collect sensitive personal health data. Buyers should review how the manufacturer stores, uses, and shares that information, whether data is encrypted, and if users can control or delete their data. Clear privacy policies and strong security practices are especially important.

Regulatory status and claims
If a device makes health or medical claims, consumers should check whether it has FDA clearance or authorization. Devices marketed for general wellness typically face less oversight, which can affect how much confidence users should place in the results.

A wearable should work smoothly with a users smartphone, operating system, and preferred apps. Some devices function best within a specific ecosystem and may offer limited features if paired with other platforms.

Since wearables are often worn all day or overnight, comfort matters. Battery life can range from a day to several weeks, and durabilitysuch as water resistance and build qualitycan be important depending on how and where the device will be used.

Average price cuts across the first negotiated drugs are about 50%

• AARP says Medicares new drug price negotiations could save seniors billions of dollars each year

• Average price cuts across the first negotiated drugs are about 50%, with the biggest savings for chronic conditions

• Lower prices could also ease pressure on Medicare premiums and the programs long-term finances

Medicares newly negotiated prescription drug prices are expected to deliver major savings for older Americans, according to a new analysis from AARP, marking an early milestone in the federal governments expanded role in drug pricing.

The study examines the first group of prescription drugs selected for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act. Those negotiated prices took effect at the beginning of 2026 and could result in billions of dollars in annual savings for both Medicare beneficiaries and the Medicare program overall, AARP found.

These are medications that millions of older adults rely on every day, the organization said. Lower prices can translate directly into improved access and better adherence to treatment.

Average price cuts near 50%

According to the analysis, negotiated prices across the first 10 drugs selected for the program average about a 50% reduction compared with previous prices. Seven of the 10 medications saw the largest price cuts.

AARP said those reductions could significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors, many of whom face high expenses even with Medicare coverage.

Medicare prescription drug negotiation is on track to deliver billions in savings for Americas seniors starting in January, making lifesaving medication more affordable, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond said in a statement.

Biggest impact on chronic conditions

The largest savings are expected to come from drugs used to treat chronic conditions that disproportionately affect older adults, including diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Because these medications are widely prescribed and often expensive, even modest price reductions can add up quickly. AARP estimates that some Medicare beneficiaries could see their annual out-of-pocket costs drop by hundreds of dollars for commonly used drugs.

For many seniors, high prescription costs have long been a barrier to consistent treatment, contributing to skipped doses or delayed care.

Broader effects on Medicare and premiums

Beyond individual savings, AARP said negotiated drug prices could have system-wide benefits. Lower overall spending on prescription drugs could help slow the growth of Medicare Part D premiums and reduce financial strain on the Medicare trust fund.

While the first round of negotiations covers a limited number of medications, AARP noted that future rounds could expand the impact significantly as additional high-cost drugs become eligible for negotiation.

Ongoing debate over drug pricing

The findings come as debate continues over the federal governments role in setting drug prices. Supporters argue that negotiation is necessary to rein in prescription costs that have risen far faster than inflation, while critics, largely within the pharmaceutical industry, warn that the policy could discourage innovation.

AARP countered that the early results suggest substantial savings can be achieved without limiting access to medications seniors depend on.

As these negotiated prices take effect, the organization said, older Americans will be watching closely to see whether promised savings become a reality at the pharmacy counter.

The post-holiday inventory hangover that works in your favor

• Stores start clearing winter, holiday, and home inventory early to make room for spring, driving deep discounts

• Holiday returns create real deals Post-holiday overstock and open-box items push prices down on TVs, appliances, and fitness gear

• Less hype, better value January isnt loud, but its one of the most reliable months for true markdowns

January is one of the weirdest months in retail. Stores are exhausted, shoppers are tapped out, and warehouses are full of stuff that didnt sell in December. That combination creates a short window where prices drop to levels you wont see again for months.

These are the shopping categories where history, inventory pressure, and retailer behavior all line up in your favor.

Winter clothing & accessories

Even though January is still peak winter, its one of the best clearance months for cold-weather gear.

Retailers dont wait for winter to come to an end to reduce prices. They plan their spring resets weeks in advance which means coats, boots, and heavy layers start getting pushed out while you still actually need them.

This is one of the rare categories where you can buy it now, wear it immediately, and still feel like you timed it perfectly.

Whats most discounted in January:

• Coats and outerwear - Parkas, puffers, wool coats, and insulated jackets that didnt sell through in December often drop 3070% in early January, especially in neutral colors that arent tied to trends.
• Winter boots and footwear - Snow boots, insulated waterproof boots, and cold-weather casual shoes start clearing fast because they take up space and are expensive to store.
• Cold-weather accessories - Gloves, scarves, hats, thermal socks, and base layers are prime clearance targets because retailers overbuy them for gifting.
• Heavy sweaters and layering pieces - Chunky knits, fleece pullovers, and thermal tops get marked down as stores pivot to lighter fabrics.

Retailers to check out:

• Nordstrom Rack - One of the best places for quality winter basics at clearance pricing. Look for coats and jackets 4070% off along with deals on brand-name sweaters.
• Target - Target moves winter gear out fast once the calendar flips. Look for savings 30-50% off on coats, gloves, scarves, kids winter gear, thermal layers and fleece. Pro tip: Online prices at Target.com often beat in-store prices, and clearance can stack with Target Circle offers.
• REI - January at REI is an excellent time for functional winter gear at up to 40% off during their winter clearance sale. Look for deals on insulated jackets, base layers, gloves, hats, and cold-weather accessories. Pro tip: Prior-year colors at REI is where the real value lives as the performance is unchanged, just the color is different.
• Kohls - Kohls post-holiday clearance has been great for years. Look for deals on boots and winter shoes at deep markdowns, often up to 65% off. Also, remember that clearance coats and sweaters will stack with your Kohls Cash. January at Kohls is one of the easiest months to stack clearance + promo codes + rewards.
• Old Navy - Great for practical, everyday winter wear at a big discount in January. In particular, look for deals on puffers, fleece jackets, and thermal tops. They also have their winter coats priced to move at up to 60% off once their clearance sale starts mid-January.

Bedding, towels, and linens (the White Sale window)

January is prime time for linens, thanks to long-running white sales. Retailers have used the start of the year for decades to move sheets, towels, comforters, and basics that didnt get gifted or sold during the holidays.

Youll usually see:

• Deep discounts on sheet sets, towels, and mattress pads up to 80% off.
• Better pricing on basics versus trendy patterns.
• Stackable deals at department stores and big-box retailers.
• Stores to check include Macys, Wayfair, Kohls, Target, JCPenney, Crate & Barrel, and even Sleep Number.

This is one of the rare moments where quality basics go on real sale, not just 10% off promotions.

Why January works:

Linens arent seasonal, but retailers reset inventory in January. Clearing space matters more than holding out for full price.

TVs and electronics

Shoppers always think Black Friday is the best time to buy a new TV. While that may be true if youre okay with a brand youve never heard of, the best time to buy a high-quality TV is right now.

This is because retailers pump out Super Bowl deals to entice shoppers and new models get released. Thiscreates the perfect storm for consumers as stores are under pressure to clear out last seasons models.

This doesnt just apply to TVs. The post-holiday electronics dump is real and also spreads to soundbars, headphones, and speakers.

January brings:

• Returns from December gives shoppers great opportunities to save on open-box deals.
• Last years models being cleared out as new models get released at the CES in Las Vegas.
• Super Bowl competition heating up brings out some great deals.
• Check Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Amazon.

Pro tip: The deals get even better if youre open to buying an open-box or lightly returned item. Most come with the same warranty yet the price is often 30-40% less compared to buying brand-new.

Fitness gear (not the memberships)

New Years resolutions drive massive promotions on home fitness gear.

January sees more discounts than most other months because retailers overshoot on resolution inventory and then need to clear space for spring.

Be sure to check both in-store clearance and online deals. When shopping online remember that sometimes the best markdowns arent on the front-page and you have to dig a little.

Think:

• Dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands.
• Yoga mats and recovery gear.
• Entry-level cardio equipment.
• Fitness apparel and shoes.

Gyms work hard to try and get new sign-ups in January, but the better value is usually in the physical gear youll keep using long after the motivation fades for most.

Why January works:

Retailers bet big on resolution shoppers and often over-order fitness accessories every year. So be sure to check the sales at the usual players like Walmart, Dicks, Target, and Amazon.

Also, dont sleep on Aldi as they often have deals on kettlebells, dumbbells, fitness bands, and activewear in their Middle Aisle.

Holiday dcor and storage

This ones obvious, but still wildly underused. In the first two weeks of January, holiday dcor drops to clearance pricing that wont repeat until next January.

Your best bets include:

• Artificial trees and lights.
• Gift wrap, ribbon, and cards.
• Storage bins designed for dcor.

Buying now instead of next November can easily save you 5090%. As for what store to shop at? Pretty much any store that sells holiday dcor is having a sale right now so take your pick.

Why January works:

Seasonal inventory has zero value once the calendar flips making it a great time to stock up for next Christmas.

Furniture and home goods

January is a quiet reset month for home retailers, which is exactly why its so good for shoppers who care more about function than trends.

You wont see giant splashy ads like Black Friday, but behind the scenes this is when retailers quietly move out inventory they dont want hanging around until spring.

Store to check out:

• Wayfair - Wayfair quietly does some of its deepest furniture markdowns of the year in January. Sofas and sectionals marked down 3060% and area rugs often 4070% off
• IKEA - January is when IKEA clears discontinued lines before spring launches.
• Target - Target is sneaky good in January if you know where to look. Specifically, look for rugs and lamps marked down 3050% and end-of-run furniture collections often up to 50% off.
• West Elm - Not cheap to start with, but January at West Elm is when their pricing finally makes sense. Look for deals on floor model furniture, discontinued sofas and dining tables, and rugs and lighting marked 4060% off.

Small kitchen appliances & tools

January deals arent just about big electronics. Its also one of the best months of the year for small kitchen appliances, especially anything tied to cooking at home or eating healthier.

Retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy almost always overbuy these categories for the holidays. When gift returns roll in and shelf space is needed for spring items, prices get lowered and sales start.

Whats especially cheap in January:

Air fryers & countertop cookers These are the holiday bestsellers that didnt fully sell out, they get marked down early. Expect to find solid discounts on standard-size air fryers, toaster ovens with air-fry modes, and the popular multi-cookers.

Blenders, food processors & smoothie gear These items line up perfectly with New Year clean eating marketing, which is why retailers push promos hard in January making it a solid time to save.

Coffee makers & espresso machines - Gift returns along with new models mean older versions get discounted, even if the features barely changed. The takeaway is to buy last seasons model at a hefty discount when possible.

Tools people dont gift themselves Think things like knife sets, cutting boards, mixing bowls, measuring tools, and kitchen gadgets. These hit clearance in January because theyre bulky and tend to be slow-movers for retailers.

From smart speakers to laptops, Alexa+ is stepping out of the living room and into your browser

• Alexa.com brings Amazons AI assistant to your browser.

• New Alexa+ features let you type or chat instead of just talking.

• Its part of Amazons push to make Alexa a full-fledged AI helper across devices

Amazon just took a bold step in the evolution of its digital assistant Alexa.

The company unveiled Alexa.com, a web-based portal that lets people interact with Alexa+ right from a browser no Echo device required.

This new experience, currently rolling out to Early Access customers, brings the smarter, generative-AI powered version of Alexa to desktops and laptops alongside the voice and mobile interfaces many of us are already used to.

Alexa+ is the next generation of Amazons digital assistant, powered by advanced artificial intelligence and designed to do more than just answer questions it can assist with tasks, plan outings, manage your home, and more.

The launch of Alexa.com marks the first time Amazon is positioning Alexa more like a traditional chatbot experience you might see with competitors like ChatGPT or Googles Gemini.

Whats new with Alexa.com and Alexa+

The core idea behind Alexa.com is simple: make Alexa available wherever you are.

Instead of being tied to a smart speaker or your phone, Alexa+ can now be accessed through a browser window. Once logged in with your Amazon account, you can type or speak to Alexa, ask it in-depth questions, get help with planning, or have it do things for you like updating calendars, creating shopping lists, or controlling compatible smart-home gadgets.

Alexa.com keeps all your chats, preferences, and tasks in context across devices. So if you start planning a trip on your computer, you can pick up the conversation on your phone or Echo later. The AI isnt just reactive; its designed to help with real tasks from organizing documents you upload to suggesting menus and adding groceries to your list all with seamless cross-device continuity.

Amazon has also expanded Alexa+ to work deeply with countless third-party services, letting you book reservations or even coordinate travel. The web launch ties into a broader redesign of the Alexa mobile app, making the assistant feel more like a helper you can talk with naturally and less like a simple voice command tool.

What this means for consumers

For everyday users, the launch of Alexa.com could change how you interact with Amazons AI. Instead of being confined to asking for the weather from a speaker across the room, you can now engage in richer, typed conversations on any device with a browser. That opens up new ways to use Alexa for productivity like drafting emails, planning events, researching topics, or managing life admin without switching between apps.

This also signals Amazons move to position Alexa not just as a voice helper, but as a full-blown AI assistant that can compete with other text-based AI tools. For Prime members, Alexa+ is included without extra cost, while non-Prime users may have to pay a subscription once Early Access ends.

New research shows a clear link between struggling to afford energy and higher rates of anxiety and depression

• Nearly half of U.S. adults report some form of energy insecurity, like trouble paying bills or unsafe home temperatures.

• Adults facing energy insecurity have more than double the odds of experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms.

• The findings come from nationally representative survey data collected between 2022 and 2024.

Imagine having to choose between heating your home and buying food or medicine. For many Americans, thats not a hypothetical dilemmaits reality.

That struggle is part of what researchers define as energy insecurity, or the difficulty households face in meeting basic energy needs such as paying utility bills, maintaining safe indoor temperatures, and keeping appliances running.

In a recent study conducted by researchers from Georgia Tech, researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey, which asks adults about economic and social conditions across the country. The goal was straightforward: to see if people struggling with energy costs also reported signs of anxiety and depression.

The study

Rather than relying on regional or small-scale data, this study analyzed responses from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults collected between late 2022 and fall 2024. Researchers measured energy insecurity in three ways:

1. Inability to pay full or partial energy bills

2. Keeping the home at unsafe or unhealthy temperatures to save money, and

3. Forgoing essential expenses (like food or medicine) to pay for energy costs.

People who reported any of these experiences were categorized as energy insecure.

To assess mental health, shortened versions of standard screening tools for depression and anxiety were used. The team then adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that can influence mental health (like income, employment, food insecurity, and housing conditions) so they could isolate the specific connections with energy hardship.

The results

Out of a weighted sample representing roughly 187 million U.S. adults, about 43% reported experiencing at least one form of energy insecurity in the past year.

After accounting for other social and economic conditions:

• Individuals facing energy insecurity had more than twice the odds of reporting anxiety symptoms compared with energy-secure adults.

• They also had more than twice the odds of reporting symptoms of depression.

These associations held even after adjusting for other stressors like food insecurity or housing instabilitythe results suggest that energy insecurity on its own is strongly linked to mental health challenges among U.S. adults.

Taken together, this research adds to growing evidence that struggling to afford basic utilities isnt just a financial hardshipits a public health concern that may influence emotional well-being and overall quality of life.

While we often talk about food and housing insecurity, fewer people recognize energy as a basic necessity that shapes not only comfort, but also safety and stress, researcher Michelle Graff said in a news release.

Being able to afford your home does not guarantee you can afford to safely heat, cool, or power it.

What this means for consumers

For everyday people, these findings underscore that utility bills arent just another household expense theyre tied to overall well-being. When energy costs take up a large part of a budget, households may face tough trade-offs: choosing between heat or groceries, medication or electricity. These choices add persistent stress that can wear on mental health over time.

Knowing that many others are facing similar challenges may help destigmatize the issue and encourage people to seek support. Programs like utility bill assistance, weatherization services (which improve home energy efficiency), and community mental health resources may help lighten both the financial and emotional load.