Apple Watch among wearables exempted from EU user-replaceable battery rules

The European Commission has revised its battery regulations to exempt devices such as the Apple Watch from requirements that batteries be removable and replaceable by users. Here are the details. Apple Watch and other wearables gain exemption from EU battery rules As spotted by Politico, the European Union has relaxed battery rules for certain wearable devices after U.S. officials criticized restrictions on products such as Meta’s smart glasses. [...]

watchOS 27 public beta is here with Siri AI and smarter Apple Watch features

The watchOS 27 public beta is now available for Apple Watch. It gives users an early look at the software update coming to everyone this fall. watchOS 27 includes one potentially transformative addition: Siri AI on your wrist. Apple also added a dynamic app grid, a one-handed tap gesture, and a more proactive Smart Stack. In addition, the update brings several health and fitness upgrades. Here’s how to [...]

Will you miss the Walkie-Talkie Apple Watch app when watchOS 27 drops push-to-talk?

Apple Watch is losing its Walkie-Talkie app in this fall’s watchOS 27 software update. Will you miss the Apple Watch push-to-talk functionality? Apple hasn’t said why it’s discontinuing the Walkie-Talkie app Over the years, Apple Watch has been a bit of a playground for quirky ideas that eventually go away. Spinning the Digital Crown from the watch face used to move data on complications like weather and calendar [...]

iOS 27 basically turns your iPhone and AirPods into an Apple Watch at the gym

GymKit has been one of Apple Watch’s smartest fitness features since it launched in 2017. Tap your watch to compatible gym equipment, and Apple Watch shares your heart rate while the machine sends back metrics like distance, incline, pace, and calories. With iOS 27, Apple is expanding that idea beyond Apple Watch. I tested the new GymKit on iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 experience with a GymKit-compatible treadmill. [...]

These are my favorite Apple charging accessories of 2026 so far [Video]

There are many different charging accessories to choose from today. There is something for everyone, from fast chargers, multiport chargers, travel-oriented chargers, MagSafe charging accessories, and so much more. I have tested a ton of chargers through the first half of 2026, but only a select few get a permanent spot in my day-to-day. I like to have a good range of chargers for all my different needs, [...]

These are my favorite Apple charging accessories of 2026 so far [Video]

There are many different charging accessories to choose from today. There is something for everyone, from fast chargers, multiport chargers, travel-oriented chargers, MagSafe charging accessories, and so much more. I have tested a ton of chargers through the first half of 2026, but only a select few get a permanent spot in my day-to-day. I like to have a good range of chargers for all my different needs, [...]

Report: Apple Watch accounted for nearly all Edge AI smartwatch shipments in Q1 2026

According to a new Counterpoint Research report, global shipments of Edge AI-capable smartwatches grew 70% year over year in Q1 2026, with Apple accounting for roughly 90% of the total. Here are the details. Apple comfortably leads the Edge AI smartwatch market Edge AI generally refers to processing AI tasks locally on a device, rather than sending data to the cloud for processing. As AI models become smaller [...]

watchOS 27 adds three new Health upgrades for Apple Watch

watchOS 27 packs a variety of Health-related improvements for Apple Watch users that span three main areas, here’s what’s new. #1: Perimenopause and menopause support watchOS 27 provides a new reason to use your Apple Watch’s Cycle Tracking feature. Per Apple’s website: The fine print adds: “Cycle deviation notifications inclusive of perimenopause are for ages 40 and above. These notifications are not intended to replace traditional methods of [...]

watchOS 27 beta 3 includes upgraded Siri AI experience and dedicated Siri app

Apple’s upgraded Siri AI experience and the standalone Siri app have arrived on the Apple Watch with today’s watchOS 27 beta 3 release. Apple first announced that Apple Watch would gain Siri AI as part of watchOS 27 in June during WWDC. The first two developer beta previews lacked Siri AI support, however, and the dedicated Siri app wasn’t available yet. Starting with today’s watchOS 27 developer beta, [...]

Limited initial availability of the iPhone Ultra may be a feature, not a bug

After conflicting reports about when the iPhone Ultra would launch, there’s now a clear consensus that it will be announced in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. It does, however, look likely that Apple may adapt the iPhone X strategy of announcing it in September and having it go on sale a little later, and a report yesterday suggested that launch availability may be very limited … There [...]