Earlier this year, I talked about a compact Garmin charging power bank that came with its own built-in 1200 mAh battery. That specific gadget is great for trips because it can juice up the watch when you were completely away from a wall plug.

This adapter takes a completely different approach. Instead of hauling extra battery power around or packing the whole official Garmin cord, you just carry the tiny charging tip. You slide a standard USB-C cable into the back, plug the front into your watch, and you have a reliable backup charger that fits right on your keyring.

It fixes the cable problem

The other charger fixes the major headache of being completely away from a power outlet. This little adapter tackles a different issue that actually happens a lot more often. You have plenty of power around and USB-C cables scattered everywhere, but your specific Garmin cable is completely missing.

A tiny keychain dongle fixes the whole situation. You can just throw it on your keys, drop it in a laptop bag, or leave it next to your desk setup so you don’t have to hunt down the official Garmin cord. It is incredibly easy to pack when travelling or moving between your house, the office, and the gym.

The actual adapter is as simple as it gets. One side plugs right into your Garmin watch, and the other side takes any standard USB-C cable. That straightforward design is exactly why it works so well, and you can find a ton of different versions available on Amazon.

Watch the angle

Garmin’s charging connector is quite small, uncovered, and usually works without any issues, but getting a good fit still matters. If a cheap adapter forces the watch into a weird angle, stresses the internal pins, or leaves the watch dangling from the cord, that can cause trouble down the road.

This is where the caveat comes in. Since a thick USB-C cable plugs directly into the adapter, the whole charging setup can look pretty messy on a table. The watch might also rest at a strange angle depending on how stiff your cable is or where your wall outlet sits. This is definitely a handy backup option rather than a sleek bedside dock.

Because of that, you want to avoid any awkward setups that put a weird bend on the connector. It helps to treat the adapter as a quick convenience tool instead of something you can roughly yank around on a cord.

Garmin should make this

Garmin doesn’t actually need to swap out its dedicated ports for USB-C. Doing that would just create massive waterproofing issues and likely make the hardware a lot less durable. The current four-pin connector might not look pretty, but it gets the job done.

What Garmin really should do is release an official keychain USB-C adapter. It would be tiny, inexpensive and handy to carry around. Even better, it would give people total peace of mind that it fits their watch perfectly, saving everyone from gambling on random third-party options on Amazon.

Until that happens, these tiny adapters are worth a look. And they are not exactly a huge investment. For around $10 you can pick up a few of these (find one on Amazon).

The mini power bank from my earlier article still makes more sense for camping, travel or long weekends away from a socket. This little dongle makes more sense for everyday backup.

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The latest claim comes from leaker Kosutami, who says Apple is working on an “iRing thing”. He followed up by saying the device would go head-to-head with the Oura Ring and the Samsung Galaxy Ring, but that is literally the entire rumour for now. Kosutami actually has a decent track record with Apple leaks, especially when it comes to unreleased accessories and prototype hardware, so this claim is at least worth keeping on your radar.

Why the timing makes more sense now

The last time I touched on the Apple smart ring question was back in late 2024, when reports basically said Apple had put the idea on ice. That is still important context to keep in mind here. Apple has obviously toyed with finger tech in a mountain of patents over the years, but patents are just ideas, not real products.

This new claim does not overturn everything. It simply reopens the question.

The smart ring landscape looks completely different now than it did a couple of years ago. Oura is still the big name everyone knows, but Samsung threw its hat in the ring with the Galaxy Ring, and brands like Amazfit, RingConn, and Ultrahuman have also proved that people actually want these things.

An Apple Ring would make perfect sense for anyone who wants to track their health stats but hates having a screen strapped to their wrist all day long. Sleep tracking is the most obvious reason to get one, along with monitoring resting heart rate, watching temperature trends, and checking recovery insights.

Since Apple is highly unlikely to release a screenless band like a Whoop tracker, a smart ring is easily the next best option for a purely passive health tracker. It perfectly fills an obvious gap in their current hardware lineup.

Apple does not need a tiny Apple Watch

The worst version of this product would try to do too much. An Apple Ring does not need notifications, music controls, gesture gimmicks or app shortcuts. Apple already has a device for that.

A streamlined version makes a lot more sense. You just wear it, sleep with it, let it collect data, and check the results later in Apple Health.

That is where Apple could have an advantage. Oura still faces pushback over its subscription. Samsung’s Galaxy Ring works best inside Samsung’s ecosystem. Apple could make a ring that feels native to the iPhone from day one.

The absolute key to making this work would be restraint. A good Apple Ring needs to focus entirely on comfort, long battery life, reliable health trends, and tight Apple Health integration. It would not need to replace Apple Watch for workouts, calls, maps or payments. It should not try to.

The Apple Watch problem

The Apple Watch is a massive hit, but it isn’t for everyone. Some people don’t want another screen on their body, some hate getting buzzed on their wrist all day, and others just can’t stand sleeping with a watch on. Plenty of people simply prefer wearing a regular, classic watch.

That doesn’t mean they don’t care about tracking their health, it just means the watch itself is the problem. A ring completely fixes that. It gives Apple a alternative way to grab daily and nightly health stats, while opening up a whole new path to people who would never buy an Apple Watch.

That is why the rumour is interesting, even without much detail.

Still, there is no reason to assume Apple Ring is close. Apple tests many products internally and kills plenty of them. This could be a prototype, a research project or a rumour that goes nowhere.

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The official notice makes it clear that the platform is now fully rebranded as the Google Health app. Because of this, anyone on Android or iOS needs to update the software on both their phone and their watch before the summer deadline if they want things to keep working.

This is not just a standard reminder to grab the latest update. It is a hard expiration date on the rollback trick that people have been using to avoid the new layout.

The Fitbit 4.x workaround is already in use

Sideloading an older version is a pretty straightforward trick for Android users who do not mind messing around with APK files. The process just requires deleting Google Health, grabbing an older Fitbit 4.x build from APKMirror, and using their installer to set it up. After that, disabling automatic updates in the Google Play Store keeps the phone from automatically replacing it with the new version.

This workaround is not just for people clinging to ancient trackers on outdated software. It actually works perfectly fine on modern Android phones paired with current hardware.

That is exactly why the July 15 cutoff from Google has rubbed some people the wrong way. The company is not just cleaning house by retiring forgotten software versions. It may be actively shutting down the manual rollback loophole that people have been relying on to keep the classic interface alive.

APKMirror may still install the old app

Of course, Google’s July 15 cutoff does not mean APKMirror will stop offering old Fitbit APK files. It also does not mean Android users will be unable to install an older APK manually.

But installing the app is only half the problem. Fitbit still depends on Google’s servers for account login, sync, device data, app services and ongoing compatibility. If Google ends support for versions below 5.0, an old Fitbit 4.x APK may still install, but it may no longer function properly.

That is why the workaround could become useless even if the APK file remains available. Old versions of the app might open after July 15, but that does not guarantee theywill sync, connect to a device or keep account features working.

Google Health becomes harder to avoid

The original Fitbit app offered a straightforward routine. Users could quickly open it up to check their steps, calories, sleep data, and daily trends before going about their day. For a lot of people, that simple, predictable setup was the entire reason they bought into the ecosystem in the first place.

The shift to Google Health disrupted that rhythm. Plenty of users genuinely dislike the new layout, while others miss specific features like the old dashboard style, badges, calorie deficit tools, and food logging. That is exactly why the sideloading option became the go-to option for some. Ot gave Android users a way to reject the software overhaul without having to throw away their actual fitness trackers.

The July 15 deadline changes that calculation. It suggests the old app is moving from “unsupported but usable” to “potentially broken at any time.”

Google probably sees the cutoff as cleanup. For Fitbit holdouts, it will feel different.

From July 15, installing Fitbit 4.x may still be technically possible. Staying on a fully working old Fitbit app may not be.

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Of course, this does not guarantee a new watch is dropping tomorrow. Or the day after. But it does suggest the software side is being prepared for hardware that can report some form of light or solar input.

What the app code reveals

Solar references are not entirely new in the Zepp Health app. Earlier builds already contained a few solar related strings and a SolarBatteryChargeRecord. That record included fields like lux, panelType, status, and chargePowerPercent.

This suggests Zepp Health has been laying the groundwork for this feature for quite some time. The latest build appears to move things further by adding more visible, sync facing pieces around solar intensity.

The code now includes references like solar_intensity, what_is_solar_intensity, watch_face_input_power, and case_back_input_power. There is also explanatory text that describes solar intensity as “the instantaneous luminous flux received per unit area on the device’s exposed surface”.

The newer build also includes a SolarIntensityAction inside the device action model. One related event string refers to clicking a solar intensity entrance. This suggests the feature will appear as a tappable menu option somewhere in the device section of the app.

There is also a SolarIntensitySyncJob and a SOLAR_INTENSITY data type. These sit alongside a SUPPORT_SOLAR_INTENSITYflag. This points directly to a feature that depends entirely on compatible hardware.

The mention of watch_face_input_power remains the most interesting part. It suggests the app is preparing to show power input through the front of a watch, which fits a solar assisted display layer perfectly. That does not confirm a specific product, but it points in a very clear direction.

The case_back_input_power reference is still harder to pin down. It could relate to charging diagnostics, internal testing, a unique dock, or a different power path altogether. For now, it appears Zepp Health is building the app framework for hardware that reports light based input.

The strategic alignment for Amazfit

Solar tech makes total sense given the company’s rugged outdoor watches line. Adding a solar layer works as a battery extender rather than a full replacement for a plug-in charger.

This matches how other brands use solar grids to stretch battery life. Garmin dominates this space. It uses its special Power Glass and Power Sapphire lenses to squeeze extra days of watch mode out of its Fenix and Instinct lines.

Garmin packs a see-through photovoltaic layer right between the display and the outer lens. It tracks real-world energy using a solar intensity graph. This setup gives users a clear look at sunlight conditions over the previous few hours.

Suunto uses a similar approach with some of its devices in the Vertical range. It gives outdoor athletes battery gains when they train under direct sunlight.

Why it probably won’t feature an AMOLED screen

This software leak raises a major question about the display. Solar harvesting and vibrant AMOLED panels do not mix well. AMOLED screens are incredibly power hungry, so a tiny solar grid cannot generate enough juice to offset what the screen burns.

Instead, major brands stick to memory in pixel screens for their solar models. Garmin and Suunto use these low power reflective displays because they sip energy and thrive in direct sunlight.

Like other brands, Amazfit builds almost all its current watches with bright AMOLED panels. If Zepp Health wants to make a serious solar watch, it will likely need to ditch that tech for a more efficient display.

The company actually has experience with this setup. Early hits like the Amazfit Bip S relied on reflective transflective screens to deliver legendary battery life. Going back to a reflective screen would make a ton of sense for an extreme adventure watch.

Which means a solar watch would be a return to MIP displays for Zepp Health. On the other hand, Garmin has registered a patent for solar tech on a AMOLED display. If Zepp Health opts for this route it would beat Garmin to the punch as the first smartwatch band with this type of tech.

Potential device candidates

Of course, developers often add code months before a watch goes into production. Sometimes these features stay locked inside prototypes that never launch publicly.

The current code lacks any specific model names or launch dates. It just confirms the engineering team is working on a software layer that hints at this type of functionality. So there is no absolute confirmation this will happen.

But it fits. And the timing fits the broader push into specialized training tools. A solar model would help Zepp Health target the endurance and adventure market.

If this code turns into real hardware, the rugged outdoor lines are the most obvious fit. Big, durable cases provide plenty of room for a solar ring around the display. Perhaps the T-Rex or Falcon line. We are expecting new candidates from both in the months ahead.

There is also a chance this is tied to a new device category rather than a conventional watch. The references to input power leave some room for interpretation.

Until a certification listing or product name appears, this should be treated as an interesting clue rather than confirmation. But it is a clue with enough detail to keep an eye on.

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The mock up that started the talk

An unofficial image circulating on Reddit triggered a fresh wave of discussion about the upcoming Samsung watch line. The picture shows three dark smartwatches under a generic series title, looking like an official teaser at first glance.

But that is not what it is. The image appears to be editorial artwork from a tech site, not a leaked internal asset from Samsung or an official teaser. It should, therefore, not be treated as an early reveal of the Galaxy Watch 9.

Samsung just teased Galaxy Watch 9 Series
by u/Budget_Hamster4422 in GalaxyWatch

The reaction is still telling. Some long-time Galaxy Watch owners immediately focused on the case shape rather than the possible specs. A few said they would rather keep older round models than move further into Samsung’s newer squircle design language, while others argued that the current Ultra-style look is more comfortable and distinctive than it appears in pictures.

That split says more than the image itself. Samsung’s newer design direction still has not fully settled with the user base. Owners are not just waiting for better battery life, new health metrics or cleaner software. They also want to know whether the Galaxy Watch line is still going to look like a traditional watch, or whether Samsung is now fully committed to a more hybrid square-round identity.

What the certification data tells us

We do not have an official announcement yet, but regulatory filings give us a clear view of the upcoming hardware footprint. Certification reports confirm that regular models will arrive in both 40mm and 44mm sizes.

We also see paper trails for a second generation Ultra model. This means Samsung wants to maintain a distinct split between everyday devices and heavy duty hardware.

The classic model is where the narrative gets blurry. While older code references hinted at a version with a rotating bezel, recent certification filings completely ignore it. The paperwork focuses entirely on the standard and Ultra models.

Until better evidence surfaces, we have to treat the physical bezel as a major uncertainty. I predict that Samsung might bench the classic design entirely this cycle to force adoption of the newer shape. This is a risky move that could alienate traditional buyers who love the physical click.

Software upgrades meet physical resistance

Samsung already previewed an impressive suite of next generation health features to build anticipation. The upcoming update introduces advanced metrics including vascular load, an antioxidant index, and personalized bedtime guidance.

These tools should provide valuable context on cardiovascular strain and sleep recovery. They represent a nice step forward from simple step counting and basic sleep tracking.

However, excellent software cannot compensate for hardware that people dislike on their wrists. Consumers do not buy these devices based on data sheets alone. A watch serves as a highly visible personal accessory that you wear all day.

That leaves Samsung with a clear challenge for Watch 9. The next watches are likely to arrive around the usual July window with new health tools in tow, but the design may decide how warmly long-time Galaxy Watch users receive them.

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The transition from the classic Fitbit setup to the unified Google Health app is still rubbing a lot of long-term users the wrong way. Recent feedback threads show people are still annoyed by missing data charts, clunky food logging, and a messy home screen. This latest update tries to fix some those headaches.

Today and health tabs offer better customization options

A lot of the frustration with the big redesign comes down to data feeling buried under too many menus. Now you can hit the pencil icon in the main metrics section to switch between a standard view and an expanded layout. This lets you see more metrics right on the Today tab without having to swipe right.

The update also lets you easily swap the order of your metrics in edit mode by tapping a card and selecting the one you want to replace it with. For Android users, rearranging charts in the Key Metrics section of the Health tab gets a lot simpler with direct drag-and-drop support, though iOS users will have to wait until version 5.03.

The update also brings back the hourly activity charts that vanished during the initial platform overhaul. This means you can add those step-per-hour circular diagrams back to both your Today and Health dashboards.

Beyond the visual tweaks, the developers cleared up some annoying activity tracking bugs. They fixed an issue where manually logged exercises incorrectly reported zero steps or distance. They also corrected low-distance bugs on auto-detected bike rides.

Sleep logs and partner app data get better management

Sleep data gets a rewrite in this update to make overnight patterns easier to read at a glance. The restlessness bar now sits right next to your sleep stages graph so you can compare restlessness and awake data together, backed by improved detection for minor awake moments.

Android users get an easier way to track naps over time with separate tabs in the daily Sleep Score view, an addition scheduled for iPhone users in the next release. Full support for deleting sleep sessions is now live, and a bug that blocked people from editing their sleep sessions has finally been squashed.

Managing health data imported from third-party services is also much less of a headache now. You can delete individual exercise sessions, food logs, and weight logs synced from partner apps directly inside the Google Health app instead of diving into the Privacy Center.

If the data came from a direct integration, you can wipe it instantly. Logs from Health Connect or Apple Health will direct you to those specific platforms to complete the deletion until a future update removes that extra step.

Food logging sees massive layout improvements

Nutrition tracking received a comprehensive cleanup aimed at making the interface quicker to use. Food searches load much faster on both platforms, with Android users now seeing serving units and calorie counts directly in the search results.

Google also added macronutrient estimations right on the main logging page so you can preview your breakdown before saving the log. This makes it much simpler to eyeball your targets before committing.

The primary nutrition tile on the Today tab completely drops the old net calories layout. It now displays your total calorie intake as the top number and your remaining calories as the bottom number to give you a clearer snapshot of your daily target.

The roadmap ahead for the ecosystem

Even though this update cleans up a few immediate software bugs, several promises on the company development map are still up in the air. Big integration features like sending data directly to Apple Health are still scheduled for later this summer. The upcoming artificial intelligence coach layer is also causing a lot of debate among users who want real control over their workout adjustments rather than automated text summaries.

Right now the update seems to be rolling out in staggered waves across different regions. Quite a few people on community forums noted that you might need to manually clear out and re-add your home screen tiles to get the new layout options to pop up.

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