Apple Expands Wearable Interoperability in EU (heise.de)

• Native-level integration for third-party headphones
• Enhanced notification delivery for non-Apple wearables
• Strategic concession to EU digital market regulations

"Following regulatory pressure, Apple is introducing iOS 26.5 which enhances the integration of third-party wearables in the EU. This includes better native support for non-Apple headphones and more robust notification handling for external smartwatches. This move marks a significant shift in Apple's 'walled garden' strategy to comply with European digital sovereignty mandates."