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Top Smartwatches of 2026 Bring Bold Features and Big Surprises

Julie Anne Kråkenes

Published : March 1, 2026

The best smartwatches of 2025 are redefining what consumers expect from wearable tech, and this year’s lineup includes more than a few surprises. As top brands race to improve health tracking, battery performance, and AI-driven features, several unexpected models have pushed their way into the spotlight. For shoppers eager to upgrade, the smartwatch category now looks more competitive—and more interesting—than ever. This year’s ranking of the best smartwatches highlights major shifts in user priorities. Improved sensors, longer battery life, and smarter software have become standard, making it harder for manufacturers to stand out. Yet a handful of devices manage to break ahead, largely because they rethink how a smartwatch should function in everyday life. Below is a look at the most impressive releases of the year, the features that define them, and why 2025 may be the most transformative moment yet for wearable technology.

AI-Driven Innovations Lead the Pack

AI is the biggest story in wearable tech this year, and many of the leading smartwatches now include on-device assistants capable of predicting user needs. Some models analyze sleep patterns and daily routines to deliver more useful recommendations, while others use AI to guide workouts in real time. These improvements have made smartwatches feel less like passive trackers and more like active personal companions. These new AI tools also help reduce battery drain by processing data more efficiently. Manufacturers are now pairing advanced algorithms with low-power processors, giving even feature-rich watches the ability to last several days on a single charge.

Health Tracking Gets More Accurate and More Personal

Health monitoring remains a core focus in 2025, but this year’s upgrades go beyond basic step counts and heart-rate readings. Many top devices now offer continuous temperature tracking, more detailed stress analysis, and improved SpO2 performance. Some even integrate medical-grade ECG capabilities that help detect early warning signs of irregular heart rhythms. Another notable improvement is the personalization of health insights. Smartwatches now adjust notifications and recommendations based on individual habits rather than generic averages. This shift makes wellness guidance more relevant and less overwhelming, helping users stay consistent with their fitness routines.

Battery Life Sees a Major Leap Forward

Battery life has long been a pain point for smartwatch owners, but 2025 marks a turning point. Several new models offer multi-day performance—some lasting up to a week under typical use. Advances in chip design, display efficiency, and adaptive refresh rates have made these gains possible. A number of mid-range devices now outperform premium models from previous years, allowing budget-conscious buyers to enjoy long-lasting performance without sacrificing key features. This improvement also hints at how future generations may push endurance even further.

Design Trends Shift Toward Comfort and Customization

Style continues to influence buying decisions, and this year’s smartwatches show a clear shift toward comfort-focused design. Lighter frames, softer bands, and slimmer profiles allow users to wear these devices all day—and night—without irritation. Some brands now offer interchangeable parts, encouraging buyers to personalize their devices with more colors and materials. Displays also received upgrades. Many top watches now feature brighter, more vibrant screens that remain easy to read outdoors. Higher refresh rates make navigation feel smoother, and improved durability protects against scratches and drops.

Fitness Features Expand Beyond Traditional Workouts

Fitness tracking in 2025 goes well beyond running and cycling. Today’s smartwatches support an extensive range of activities, from strength training to yoga to outdoor sports. Some devices include built-in coaching tools that adjust automatically to performance levels, while others provide enhanced safety alerts for hikers and solo athletes. Users can now access deeper analysis of movement mechanics, helping them avoid injuries and improve performance. This level of detail was once reserved for professional athletes but is now widely available in consumer devices.

The Most Surprising Contenders of the Year

While flagship models continue to dominate headlines, several unexpected smartwatches impressed reviewers and users alike. A few lesser-known brands introduced standout features at competitive prices, proving that innovation is no longer limited to industry giants. Some of these surprise contenders offered exceptional battery life, while others delivered premium health tracking at mid-range budgets. Their emergence reflects a broader shift in the industry as smaller manufacturers capitalize on gaps left by established players.

Connectivity and Ecosystem Support Improve

Smartwatches have become more versatile this year thanks to improved connectivity. Many devices now support faster Bluetooth performance, smoother app syncing, and more reliable GPS tracking. Wi-Fi and cellular options also continue to expand, giving users greater independence from their phones. Ecosystem integration remains a major factor for many buyers. Watches designed to pair with specific smartphones often deliver the most seamless experience, but cross-platform support has improved, giving Android and iPhone users more flexibility.

Security and Privacy Features Gain Traction

With increased data collection comes greater concern about privacy. In response, most 2025 smartwatch manufacturers now offer stronger security tools, including end-to-end encryption, safer cloud backups, and more transparent data policies. Several devices feature on-device processing that reduces reliance on external servers, minimizing exposure to breaches or unauthorized access. These changes mark an important step toward building trust as smartwatches become more deeply integrated into daily life.

Affordability Makes Smartwatches More Accessible

While premium smartwatches still dominate the conversation, affordability is improving across the board. More models now offer strong performance at lower prices, making advanced features available to a wider audience. These budget-friendly options typically include high-quality displays, reliable fitness tracking, and durable designs. This shift is encouraging for first-time buyers, especially those who want essential features without committing to a high price point. It also puts pressure on major brands to deliver better value in their higher-end devices.

A Transformative Year for Wearables

The best smartwatches of 2025 show how rapidly the wearable tech landscape is evolving. With improvements in AI, health tracking, battery life, and design, even mid-range models now offer capabilities once found only in premium devices. Unexpected standouts have added excitement to the market, proving that innovation can come from any direction. As we move into the next cycle of product releases, consumers can expect even more emphasis on personalization, efficiency, and meaningful health insights. The surprising momentum behind this year’s smartwatches suggests that the future of wearables is far from predictable—and the next wave of competition is already forming.

Anne is a passionate traveler and a connoisseur of world cuisines. She brings a global perspective to her writing and shares her adventures and culinary discoveries with readers. Anne’s love for exploration and diverse cultures shines through in her engaging and informative articles.

Technology

Apple Heads Into WWDC With One Job: Make Its AI Story Feel Real

Julie Anne Kråkenes

Published : June 8, 2026

The pressure is on

Apple is heading into WWDC 2026 with a simple problem: the company needs to prove its AI plan is more than a promise.

The event starts Monday, June 8, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple says the keynote will stream on YouTube, the Apple TV app, and the Apple Events website. That part is easy.

The hard part is the message.

For months, Apple has been under pressure to show that it can keep pace in the AI race. The company has rolled out Apple Intelligence features, but the biggest move is still ahead of it: a major Siri overhaul. That is the center of the story now. Everything else sits around it.

This WWDC is less about a software update and more about trust.

What Apple is expected to show

The main focus is Siri

The clearest expectation across the coverage is that Apple will use WWDC to push a new version of Siri. That is the headline item.

Yahoo Finance says the event is likely to be a second shot at Apple’s AI rollout, after the company’s first effort left investors wanting more. MacRumors says Apple is preparing a Gemini-powered Siri with broader AI features across its platforms. Wired also points to new software features for Siri, iOS, and Apple’s AI efforts.

The key idea is not subtle. Apple needs Siri to feel current again.

What is expected:

  • a redesigned Siri with more chatbot-like behavior
  • deeper AI features across Apple’s apps
  • tighter system-level integration
  • more useful tools for everyday tasks
  • a clearer answer to how Apple plans to compete with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google

That is the bar. Not a demo. Not a tease. A believable product direction.

Why this WWDC matters now

Apple is being judged on execution

The AI market has moved fast. Apple has not been seen as the leader in generative AI. That does not mean it is out of the game. It means it has to be smarter about how it plays.

Yahoo Finance’s preview frames the event as a reset. Apple already has Apple Intelligence, writing tools, image editing, and Visual Intelligence. But the market wants more than features. It wants a strategy that lands.

That is the shift.

The company is not trying to win by shouting louder than everyone else. It is trying to win by making AI feel native inside the products people already use.

That is a good lane. It is also a demanding one.

The software line-up

iOS 27 and the rest of the stack

MacRumors says Apple is expected to use WWDC to introduce the next wave of its operating systems:

  • iOS 27
  • iPadOS 27
  • macOS 27
  • watchOS 27
  • tvOS 27
  • visionOS 27

The update theme appears to be practical, not flashy. WIRED notes that Apple is expected to announce operating system updates and maybe tease future hardware, but the focus is mostly on software.

MacRumors also reports a long list of likely AI-related additions. Among them:

  • Digital passes in Wallet
  • bill splitting from receipt photos
  • improved Image Playground
  • stronger Genmoji
  • more flexible Writing Tools
  • AI-powered reframing and image expansion
  • a more capable Shortcuts experience

That is a lot. But the pattern is clear. Apple wants AI to feel useful, not showy.

Some of the likely features

Wallet gets practical

Apple is expected to let users create digital passes from scans of physical items. That means movie tickets, concert passes, and membership cards could be easier to manage.

Camera gets smarter

MacRumors says Apple is working on better visual intelligence inside the Camera app, including support for scanning labels, numbers, and other real-world information.

Shortcuts becomes more natural

A big one: Apple is expected to let users build shortcuts with plain language. That lowers friction fast.

Images and text get better

The company is also testing more realistic image generation, improved editing, and better writing support. In plain terms, Apple wants its creative tools to feel less toy-like and more useful.

Siri is the real test

This is the feature people will judge first

Siri has been a weak point for Apple for years. That is not a small issue. It is the voice of the company on millions of devices.

Wired says Apple’s keynote will include new software features for Siri and AI. MacRumors says Siri will likely get deeper chatbot-style behavior and stronger personal context. Yahoo Finance says the event could finally show whether Apple can catch up in a meaningful way.

The question is not whether Apple can announce AI.

It is whether Apple can make AI feel dependable.

That means:

  • better multi-step commands
  • more natural conversation
  • stronger app integration
  • smarter use of personal context
  • fewer dead ends and less friction

If Apple gets that right, this WWDC will feel like a turning point. If it does not, the company will be back in the same spot next week.

What to watch for during the keynote

The useful checklist

  • Siri reveal: the main event
  • iOS 27 preview: likely with AI at the center
  • macOS 27 and iPadOS 27: broader rollout across devices
  • Wallet and Camera changes: practical AI tools
  • Shortcuts upgrade: natural-language automation
  • Image and writing tools: better content creation features
  • Any hardware tease: possible, but not the main story

That is the spine of the event. Not mystery. Not noise. Execution.

Bottom line

Apple needs a clean win

WWDC 2026 is not just another software keynote. It is a credibility check.

Apple has the user base. It has the hardware. It has the platform. What it needs now is a clear AI product that feels finished enough to matter.

The company has had time to regroup. This is the next swing.

If Siri lands, Apple gets momentum. If it does not, the criticism gets louder.

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Technology

Google Strikes $920 Million-a-Month Compute Deal With SpaceX as AI Demand Gets Brutal

Julie Anne Kråkenes

Published : June 6, 2026

A major cloud deal shows where the AI race is heading

Google has signed a large cloud services deal with SpaceX to buy access to artificial intelligence computing capacity, according to reports and a SpaceX regulatory filing.

The number is not small. Google will pay $920 million per month for access to computing hardware from SpaceX. The full monthly payments are set to run from October 2026 through June 2029. The deal includes access to about 110,000 Nvidia GPUs, along with CPUs, memory, and other related equipment.

This is not just another tech contract. It shows a bigger shift in the AI market.

The companies building the most advanced AI systems do not only need talent. They need chips. They need power. They need data centers. They need all of it at scale. And right now, the supply is tight.

That is why Google, one of the largest cloud and AI companies in the world, is renting compute capacity from SpaceX, a company best known for rockets, Starlink, and space launches.

The deal also comes at a key moment for SpaceX. The company is preparing for a major public offering, and the agreement gives investors a clearer view of a new revenue stream: selling AI infrastructure to other tech companies.

What the deal includes

The agreement gives Google access to SpaceX computing capacity tied to xAI infrastructure. Elon Musk’s xAI is now part of SpaceX after the companies combined earlier in 2026.

The main facts are simple:

  • Google will pay SpaceX $920 million per month
  • The full monthly payment period runs from October 2026 through June 2029
  • Google gets access to about 110,000 Nvidia GPUs
  • The deal also includes CPUs, memory, and related components
  • Capacity will ramp up before October at a reduced fee
  • Either company can terminate the agreement with 90 days’ notice after December 31, 2026
  • Google keeps ownership of its own content, AI models, and related data

That last point matters. Google is not handing SpaceX control of its AI models. It is buying compute access. The hardware helps run or train AI systems, but the models and data remain Google’s property.

Why Google would pay this much

At first glance, the deal looks strange.

Google already owns huge data centers. It has its own cloud business. It builds its own AI chips, called TPUs. It also competes directly in AI with Gemini, its main family of AI models.

So why pay SpaceX almost a billion dollars a month?

Because AI compute is the bottleneck.

The biggest AI companies are racing to build more powerful models and serve more users. That takes massive amounts of computing power. Even companies with deep infrastructure can run short when demand grows fast.

This is the real business issue: if a company has users waiting, products to ship, and customers willing to pay, then compute becomes the limiting factor. More chips mean more capacity. More capacity means more products can run. More products mean more revenue.

Google is not paying for prestige. It is paying for supply.

SpaceX is becoming more than a space company

SpaceX has spent years building its identity around rockets, satellites, and Starlink internet service. This deal shows another side of the company.

It is now positioning itself as an AI infrastructure provider.

That is a big move.

Earlier, SpaceX also reached a major compute deal with Anthropic, the company behind Claude. Reports said Anthropic agreed to pay SpaceX $1.25 billion per month through 2029 for access to compute capacity from a Colossus data center near Memphis, Tennessee. That facility was originally built by xAI for its own artificial intelligence work.

Now Google has joined the customer list.

That means SpaceX is not only using AI infrastructure for its own products. It is renting that infrastructure to some of the most serious AI players in the market.

There is a clean business reason for this. If SpaceX has unused or underused compute capacity, selling it brings in cash. And this is not small cash. The full-rate portion of Google’s agreement alone would be worth about $30 billion over the stated monthly payment period, before counting any reduced ramp-up fees.

That is real money. Especially before an IPO.

The IPO angle is hard to miss

The timing matters.

SpaceX revealed the Google deal in a filing as it prepares for a public listing. A contract of this size can help show investors that SpaceX has more than launch revenue and satellite internet revenue.

It can say: we also sell AI compute.

That changes the story. Investors do not only see rockets and satellites. They see cloud infrastructure, recurring revenue, and exposure to the AI boom.

But there is a risk too.

The agreement includes a way out. After December 31, 2026, either side can terminate the deal with 90 days’ notice. Google may also have rights tied to whether SpaceX delivers the promised GPU access on time.

So this is a major agreement, but it is not a blank check forever.

That is important. Big headline numbers are useful. Contract terms are more useful.

Why this matters for the AI industry

This deal says something clear about the state of AI.

The AI race is no longer only about software. It is about who can secure enough hardware and energy to run the software.

That is why Nvidia GPUs have become so valuable. That is why data centers are being built fast. That is why companies are signing huge cloud agreements even with rivals or unusual partners.

Google and SpaceX are not natural partners in every area. Google competes in AI. SpaceX now includes xAI, which also competes in AI through Grok. But business does not always care about clean lines.

If one company has capacity and another company needs it, a deal can happen.

That is exactly what this looks like.

The bigger picture

This agreement also points to a new type of AI business model.

Companies that build large compute clusters may not use all of that capacity for their own models all the time. When they have extra capacity, they can rent it out. That turns chips into revenue-producing assets.

It also shows how expensive AI has become. A monthly bill of $920 million is not normal cloud spending. It is a sign of how far the market has moved.

AI leaders are not fighting over small servers. They are fighting over industrial-scale computing systems.

The winners will not just be the companies with the best chatbot interface. They will be the companies that can secure chips, power, data centers, and customers at the same time.

Bottom line

Google’s deal with SpaceX is simple on the surface: Google pays for compute. SpaceX provides access to GPUs and related hardware.

But underneath, it says a lot.

Google needs more AI capacity. SpaceX wants to turn infrastructure into recurring revenue. The AI market is hungry enough that even giants are renting power wherever they can get it.

That is the real story.

AI is not cheap. It is not slowing down. And the companies that control compute are starting to look less like suppliers and more like power centers.

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Technology

Google Launches Search Profiles to Help Publishers and Creators Stand Out in Search

Julie Anne Kråkenes

Published : June 5, 2026

A New Space for Creators, Publishers, and Brands

Google has launched Search profiles, a new feature designed to give publishers and creators more control over how they appear in Google Search.

The idea is simple. Instead of showing only scattered links, snippets, and social results, Google now wants to give eligible publishers and creators a dedicated space where people can see their latest work in one place.

This profile can include articles, videos, social posts, website links, platform links, a bio, and an avatar. It is built to act like a public-facing hub inside Google Search.

That matters.

Search is changing fast. AI summaries are taking more space. Users are clicking less. Publishers are fighting harder for attention. Creators are also trying to prove who they are and where their real content lives.

Google’s answer is not complicated: give creators and publishers a clearer, stronger, and more direct presence.

What Search Profiles Actually Do

Search profiles are dedicated, shareable pages inside Google Search. They are made for publishers and creators who already have a strong audience on major platforms.

The profile gives them one place to show:

  • Latest articles
  • Recent videos
  • Social media posts
  • Official website
  • Social and video platform links
  • Profile photo or avatar
  • Short bio
  • Important creator or publisher information

This is not just another profile page. It connects directly with Google Search and Google Discover.

Users can follow a creator or publisher from the profile. Once they do that, they are more likely to see that source’s content in Google Discover, which appears on the home screen of the Google app.

That is the real play.

More followers inside Google means more chances to appear in front of people without depending only on traditional search clicks.

Why Google Is Doing This Now

The timing is important.

Publishers have been under pressure from Google’s AI-powered search features. AI summaries can answer user questions directly on the results page. That may be useful for users, but it creates a hard problem for publishers.

If users get the answer without clicking, traffic can drop.

That is the fight.

Publishers create the content. AI systems summarize it. Google keeps the user on the page. The publisher may get visibility, but not always the visit.

So this new Search profile feature looks like a way to give publishers and creators more visibility inside Google’s own ecosystem.

It does not solve every traffic problem. It does not replace website visits. But it gives publishers another surface area.

And in today’s search environment, surface area matters.

How Users Can Find These Profiles

Google says Search profiles can be accessed in a few ways.

A user may find them through a creator or publisher’s Knowledge Panel on mobile Search. A Knowledge Panel is the information box Google shows for notable people, companies, places, and organizations.

Users can also reach a Search profile by tapping a publisher or creator’s name inside Google Discover.

There is also a direct URL option. That means publishers and creators can share their profile outside Google too.

This makes the profile more than a passive search result. It becomes a linkable page.

That is useful for creators, media companies, journalists, influencers, and publishers who want one clean place to send users.

Who Can Claim a Search Profile?

Google is not opening this to everyone immediately.

The first rollout is in the United States. It is aimed at publishers and creators with a sizable following on at least one major social or video platform.

Search Engine Land reported the follower thresholds as:

  • TikTok: 300,000 followers
  • YouTube: 100,000 subscribers
  • Instagram: 100,000 followers
  • X: 100,000 followers

That means this first version is built for bigger creators and established publishers.

Small creators may have to wait.

Google has said it plans to expand access over time. It also said more capabilities may be added later.

What Creators Can Customize

Once eligible publishers or creators claim their Search profile, they can customize key parts of it.

They can add or update their avatar, bio, website, social media links, video platforms, and other important content.

This gives creators a better way to show the official version of themselves.

That matters because search results can be messy.

A creator may have an old social link, a wrong image, outdated information, random fan pages, or third-party summaries showing before their real work. A publisher may have multiple platforms and no single clear place where users can see everything.

Search profiles help reduce that confusion.

They make the creator or publisher easier to understand at a glance.

Knowledge Panels May Also Change

Google says claiming a Search profile may trigger the creation of a Knowledge Panel for eligible publishers and creators.

For those who already have a Knowledge Panel, the panel may be enhanced with updated profile details.

That can include a new avatar, latest content, and a direct profile link.

This is useful because Knowledge Panels often appear in high-visibility areas of Search. When someone searches for a known creator, company, or publisher, that box can shape the first impression.

And first impressions matter.

Not in a soft way. In a business way.

If the information is wrong, trust drops. If the content looks old, attention drops. If the path to follow is unclear, the user leaves.

Search profiles are Google’s way of giving eligible creators and publishers more control over that moment.

Why This Matters for Publishers

For publishers, the message is clear: Google is becoming more than a traffic source. It is becoming a content environment.

That changes the game.

Old search was simple. Rank high. Get the click. Convert the reader.

New search is different. AI summaries answer questions. Discover pushes content. Profiles build followers. Knowledge Panels shape trust. Users may see your brand many times before visiting your site once.

That means publishers need to think beyond ranking.

They need to think about presence.

Search profiles may help publishers:

  • Show fresh content in one place
  • Build followers inside Google Discover
  • Strengthen brand identity
  • Reduce confusion around official links
  • Connect articles, videos, and social posts
  • Improve trust when users search their name

This is not magic. It is distribution.

And distribution is the game.

Why This Matters for Creators

For creators, this feature could be even more direct.

Creators already live across platforms. One creator may post long videos on YouTube, short clips on TikTok, updates on X, photos on Instagram, and articles on a personal site.

That creates reach, but it also creates fragmentation.

Search profiles bring those pieces together.

A fan, brand, journalist, or potential partner can search the creator and find one cleaner profile with current links and recent work.

It also gives creators a better chance to move attention from one platform to another.

That is important because no creator truly owns their audience on social media. Platforms change rules. Algorithms shift. Reach drops without warning.

A stronger Google presence gives creators one more way to stay visible.

The Bigger Picture: Search Is Becoming More Controlled

This launch fits into a larger shift.

Google Search is no longer just ten blue links. It is AI answers, videos, Discover cards, shopping panels, Knowledge Panels, forums, social content, and now Search profiles.

The search page is becoming more layered.

For users, that may be convenient.

For publishers and creators, it is a warning and an opportunity.

The warning: you cannot depend only on old SEO.

The opportunity: if Google gives you a profile, claim it, shape it, update it, and use it.

Because attention will not wait.

What Happens Next

Google says Search profiles are launching first in the U.S. and will expand over time. The company also plans to add more capabilities in the future.

For now, the feature is mainly for larger publishers and creators with strong followings.

But the direction is clear.

Google wants creators and publishers to build a more official identity inside Search. It wants users to follow sources inside Discover. It wants content from across platforms to appear in one clean profile.

For publishers and creators, the move is practical.

Claim the profile if eligible. Keep it updated. Link the right platforms. Show your latest work. Make the first impression count.

Because in the AI search era, visibility is not just about ranking anymore.

It is about being recognized, followed, and trusted before the click ever happens.

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