In the original — and best — Total Recall, there’s a memorable scene where Rekall’s receptionist changes her nail polish using a digital pen. Thirty-five years later, a company showed up at CES 2026 with a real-world take on that idea — minus the sci-fi budget. The company is iPolish, and it makes press-on acrylic nails that change color when an electric charge is applied.
To get the color-shifting effect, you first charge a small wand that connects to your phone. After picking a color, you place the tip of the nail into the wand, which sends a brief electrical charge through it, instantly changing the color. The company didn’t go into much detail about how the technology works, but it appears to rely on some kind of electrochemical process. Changing the color of a single nail takes about five seconds, so it’s quick enough to feel practical rather than gimmicky.
iPolish says each nail can display up to 400 different colors and can be changed as often as you like. That means if you match your nails to your outfits, you’re no longer stuck with a single shade for weeks between salon appointments. The system is also relatively affordable: the $95 starter kit includes two sets of nails, one in a Ballerina shape and one in a Squoval shape. The Ballerina nails are shorter, while the Squovals are longer. One important caveat is that the nails can’t be reshaped — filing or trimming them would damage the internal hardware — so if those styles aren’t for you, you’re out of luck.
If a nail breaks or goes missing, replacements will be available for $6.50 each. Considering how much frequent nail appointments can cost, the ability to change colors whenever you want could end up being a real value. That said, it’s still too early to judge durability and reliability. iPolish expects to start shipping in June 2026, and that’s when we’ll really see how the nails hold up in everyday use.