Garmin released today its new Index Sleep Monitor, a smart sleep band that gives users a closer look at their overnight vitals and recovery. In addition to tracking sleep duration and stages, the Index Sleep Monitor provides users with their overall sleep score, HRV status, Pulse Ox reading (a pulse oximeter that measures how much oxygen is in your bloodstream), breathing variation, respiration rate, skin temperature, women’s health data, stress levels and Body Battery which is Garmin’s branded energy monitoring technology. 

In a press release, Garmin’s vice president of consumer sales and marketing, Susan Lyman, said, «We are thrilled to add the Index Sleep Monitor to our suite of innovative health and wellness products. Wearing this smart sleep band every night can provide in-depth sleep insights and a more complete picture of fitness and recovery so users can wake up ready to seize the day.»

The lightweight, breathable band is worn around the upper arm and comes in two sizes (XS to S; M to XL). After a night of sleep, the data is uploaded into the Garmin Connect app and syncs with other vitals, such as recorded activities, from compatible Garmin smartwatches. This fills in any gaps that one device may miss. 

Cleaning is also easy since the tracking device, a square Apple AirTag-like module, can easily be removed, and the band is machine-washable. It also has a seven-night battery life, which allows for daytime charging. If you don’t wear your smartwatch to bed already, this device frees up the night to be the time to give your watch a charge. 

Smart wake alarm and women’s health tracking

A standout feature of the Index Sleep Monitor is its smart wake alarm. During a pre-selected time frame, the smart band detects when you’re at the lightest stage of sleep and sends subtle vibrations to wake you up. The intention is to leave you feeling refreshed in the morning rather than groggy from deep sleep. This is an innovative feature in competitors’ sleep-tracking devices, such as the Eight Sleep Pod 4. 

While some Garmin smartwatches already have women’s health tracking available in the app, the Index Sleep Monitor utilizes your skin temperature to give further insight into period prediction and ovulation windows. The Garmin Connect app can store users’ data such as symptoms, mood and cycle calendars.  

The Index Sleep Monitor is now available on Garmin’s website for $170. 

If you’re ready to upgrade your iPhone, you might want to hang tight. 

Apple tends to unveil its new phones in September, as it did last year with the iPhone 16 lineup. It’s expected to release the anticipated iPhone 17 series at the same time this year. So, if you can wait a couple more months, you’ll be able to either score the latest device or get a discount on previous models.  

Newer iPhones tend to include camera and processor upgrades, as well as new features to make them more enticing. For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro models introduced Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max debuted the Action button, and the iPhone 16 series added the Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence across the full lineup, rather than on just the Pro models. 

According to leaks and reports, the iPhone 17 lineup, which Apple technically has yet to confirm, could have a fresh camera setup and new color options and, perhaps most notably, could include a slimmer version of the iPhone to compete with similar offerings like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge. It’ll likely arrive with the just-announced iOS 26, which features Apple’s biggest software design shakeup in over a decade.

You can check out our iPhone 17 rumor roundup for more on what might be coming in the fall. 

Will waiting for the iPhone 17 be worth it?

Overall, iPhone upgrades over the last several years have been relatively modest. And it’s likely, based on rumors, that the iPhone 17 lineup will generally follow that mold. 

But even with more moderate changes, now’s not a good time to buy a new iPhone, if you can help it. We’re just about four months away from the anticipated launch of Apple’s next smartphone. So if you hold on a little longer, you can snag that flashy new device when it drops, likely in September, based on previous iPhone launches. 

If you buy a new iPhone 16 now, you’ll probably pay full price for something that in just a few months’ time will technically be outdated (the harsh reality of the annual phone release cycle). And even if you get a good deal through your carrier now, if you stick it out just a bit longer, you could potentially get an even more lucrative deal once the iPhone 17 drops and carriers ramp up their promotions.  

If anything, waiting to see what the iPhone 17 has in store could at least help you confirm whether going with the newest device or an older one like the iPhone 16 or 15 is worth it. After all, if the differences are minimal, you might as well save a couple of hundred dollars by choosing a previous model. And chances are — if the iPhone 17 is anything like the last several iPhones — no one will even be able to tell. 

But what about tariffs?

One big unknown is whether tariffs will affect the price of the iPhone 17, which could sway your purchasing decisions. While smartphones and computers were given an exemption from President Donald Trump’s more extensive tariffs, he recently said Apple will still have to pay a 25% tariff on iPhones made outside the US. This would almost certainly lead to a price hike. 

But even without tariffs, the iPhone is due for a markup, according to CNET’s Patrick Holland. «The iPhone hasn’t had a price hike in five years and is due for one,» he writes. «Historically, that’s the longest stretch of time the company has gone without an increase.» (You can check out more of his thoughts here.) 

So, is it still worth waiting for the iPhone 17? It depends. If you were already planning on purchasing a new iPhone and can’t wait much longer, I can understand panic-buying now. But bear in mind you’ll still likely pay full price for an iPhone 16 model that will be worth less the moment the iPhone 17 drops. So, you might be coughing up more for an iPhone 17, but at least you’ll get more bang for your buck. 

So, when’s the best time to buy a new iPhone?

There’s not necessarily a «best» time to buy a new iPhone, since prices are pretty consistent throughout the year, but the fall is an enticing option. That’s when Apple introduces its latest slate of iPhones, and when carriers are eager to attract new customers and lure in business with abundant trade-in deals and promotions. And again, even if you don’t want the latest and greatest iPhone, you can at least snag an older version at a discount right after the iPhone 17 drops. 

In general, we recommend upgrading to a new phone if your existing one is more than two generations old. You can typically wring more life out of your device, but if you want to stay on top of the latest features like Apple Intelligence, leveling up is the way to go. And with just a few more months left before the anticipated drop of the iPhone 17, you might as well see what fresh capabilities Apple’s got up its sleeve. 

After all the money you’ve spent at Amazon, it’s only fair that the online shopping giant gives you some cash back, right? That’s what some customers are discovering after learning about surprise Amazon refunds they’ve received, sometimes for purchases made years ago.

One customer on LinkedIn said he received a refund of $1,800 for a smart TV bought in 2018. Others made similar comments about products bought long before. What’s going on, and why are Amazon customers getting these refunds so long after their purchases?

Why some Amazon customers are receiving surprise refunds

These surprise Amazon refunds seem to have arisen from an internal Amazon review, possibly in response to a 2023 lawsuit, according to Bloomberg. The lawsuit claimed Amazon had quietly reversed legitimate return-related refunds for some shoppers.

Now, it looks like Amazon’s making good on those refunds — and if you’ve ever had a return go sideways, you might see a little money show up, too.

How many Amazon customers are getting these surprise refunds?

A representative for Amazon told CNET that only a small number of customers would be affected. 

«Following a recent internal review, we identified a very small subset of returns where we issued a refund without the payment completing, or where we could not verify that the correct item had been sent back to us so no refund was issued,» an Amazon representative said. «There is no action required from customers to receive the refunds, and we have fixed the payment issue.»

In its latest earnings call on May 21, Amazon reported a one-time expense of $1 billion connected to expenses like refunds, returns and tariffs that the company had not yet sent out. These earmarked funds could be responsible for the sudden updates that shoppers are now seeing regarding purchases as far back as 2018.

How can I tell if I’m eligible for one of these Amazon refunds?

If you receive an email about a surprise refund from Amazon orders, it may be related to these changes Amazon has made behind the scenes. You may still want to confirm it’s not fraud by logging into your Amazon account or making a quick service call, especially if it’s a larger amount like a payment for a TV. 

Scammers may be taking advantage of this news, too, so be wary of any notification that asks you for financial information, which Amazon should already have.

Another way to see if Amazon has refunded you unexpected funds is to go to your Orders page with a web browser or via the Amazon app.

Check your Amazon Orders page via the Amazon app

1. Open the Amazon app and log in (if not already)
2. Tap the profile icon at the bottom of the screen
3. Tap the Orders button at the top of the next screen
4. Check your recent account activity to see if you’ve received unexpected credits

Check your Amazon Orders page with a web browser

1. Visit Amazon.com in your web browser of choice and log in (if not already)
2. Click on the Accounts & Lists link in the top right corner
3. Then click Your Orders on the next page
4. Check your recent account activity to see if you’ve received unexpected credits