FTT Logo
Editorial standard: How we test and compare

Apple iOS 26.5 Beta Tests EU Third-Party Wearable Compatibility

Marty S.

·

·

Perplexity debuts ‘Health’ AI assistant with Fitbit and Apple Health integration

⚙️ Firmware & Updates

Apple‘s quietly re-testing EU third-party wearable compatibility in iOS 26.5 beta—proximity pairing, notifications, Live Activity support—after yanking the same features from two previous releases. If this actually ships, it’s the first real crack in Apple wearable silo, and suddenly any smartwatch maker has a shot at the world’s biggest iPhone ecosystem.

Shop mentioned gear: Apple

Source: MacRumors

AppleSmartwatches

More from Pulse

Physicians See Promise in Wearable Data but Remain Concerned About Liability and Accuracy
Jul 9
Galaxy Watch 9 Leaks Reveal Design Refresh, Wear OS 7, and Battery Boost Ahead of July 22 Unpacked
Jul 9
Pixel Watch 5 Pricing Leak Shows $50 Increase as Google Moves Into Premium Range
Jul 9

Related Reviews

Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: 6 More Hours of Battery Worth It?
Comparison Guide
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: 6 More Hours of Battery Worth It?
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Series 10: Worth $30 for Better Battery?
Comparison Guide
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Series 10: Worth $30 for Better Battery?
Garmin Forerunner 70 vs Apple Watch Series 11: 13-Day vs 1?
Comparison Guide
Garmin Forerunner 70 vs Apple Watch Series 11: 13-Day vs 1?
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Apps or 11-Day Battery?
Comparison Guide
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Apps or 11-Day Battery?
,
Marty S.

Marty S.

Marty is a contributor at Fitness Tech Trends, focused on helping readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions about fitness technology. He dives deep into product comparisons, analyzes features that actually matter, and breaks down technical specs into practical insights. Whether readers are choosing between heart rate monitors, deciding on recovery tools, or figuring out which smartwatch fits their training style, Marty aims to provide straightforward, no-hype guidance. When he’s not researching the latest gear, he’s probably testing theories about what makes certain products stick while others fade into the gadget graveyard.