Tag: Garmin

  • Garmin Forerunner Updates: Enhanced Run Coach & Cycling Coach Features

    Garmin Forerunner Updates: Enhanced Run Coach & Cycling Coach Features

    Garmin has finished up 2024 by releasing beta updates for its latest Forerunner smartwatches. The company is now providing the same version on its stable development track, which is expected to reach users of the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955, and Forerunner 965 (currently priced at $599.99 on Amazon) in the next few days.

    Update Rollout Process

    Garmin’s update process will take place in a ‘phased rollout’, and as of this moment, it has reached about 20% completion. This means that just a limited number of Forerunner smartwatches might have received a message to download Software Version 21.22 at this time. Users can also manually start the installation of the new update by following these steps on their smartwatch:

    Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates

    What’s New in the Update

    The new update is officially said to provide ‘general bug fixes’ for the Forerunner smartwatches mentioned earlier. However, Garmin’s beta changelog reveals some interesting details. For example, the company noted that it has resolved eight different issues with this update. Moreover, version 22.12 is reported to enhance Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Cycling Coach plans by including added strength workouts. For comparison, Garmin’s last changelog for version 22.12 included the following points:

    Source:
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  • Garmin Updates Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 to Fix Battery and Sleep Issues

    Garmin Updates Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 to Fix Battery and Sleep Issues

    Garmin is actively working on its smartwatch line-up, recently updating the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Fenix 8 models. However, the company is also dedicating time to enhance the user experience for its older mid-range devices, such as the Venu 3, Venu 3S, and Vivoactive 5, which is currently priced at $244.90 on Amazon.

    Update Overview

    To summarize, Garmin launched Beta 12.11 for the three smartwatches just before Christmas. Soon after, this same version became stable, although it included only two bug fixes from the previous Software Version 12.10 released about a month prior.

    New Stable Update

    Recently, Garmin rolled out another interim stable update, which had been available for public beta testing earlier this month. At first glance, Software Version 12.12 seems rather lackluster, focusing on “general bug fixes” without any notable features.

    User Feedback

    Sadly, Garmin hasn’t released any more information regarding specific changes. Users on Garmin’s forums have not reported any significant enhancements, even though there have been complaints about Software Version 12.11 leading to battery drainage and issues with sleep detection. Moreover, additional grievances have emerged from owners of the Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3, who claim these problems only began after they updated to the latest software version.

    Source:
    Link

  • Garmin ECG App Expands Availability for Smartwatch Users

    Garmin ECG App Expands Availability for Smartwatch Users

    Garmin has shared exciting news about its electrocardiogram (ECG) app expanding to more smartwatch users across the world. Initially introduced in 2023, this feature became available to people in several countries, such as the US, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Now, thanks to recent approvals from the appropriate authorities, the ECG app is now also available to users in Australia and the EU.

    Heart Health Monitoring

    The ECG app is a handy tool that allows users to monitor their heart rhythm, identifying potential signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). The smartwatch is equipped with sensors that detect electrical signals associated with your heartbeat. Users can initiate a 30-second test right on their wrist, and the results can be seen immediately after the test. Moreover, you have the option to save this data in the Garmin Connect app, creating a historical log of your results.

    Important Health Advice

    Garmin emphasizes that if your smartwatch indicates possible AFib signs, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. The ECG app works with several models, including the Fenix 8, Fenix 7, and Enduro 3 (currently priced at $851.41 on Amazon); a complete list of compatible models is provided below. However, Garmin has not yet specified when the ECG app will be available for these smartwatches. It is anticipated that the feature will be included in future firmware updates for the devices, along with an update for the Garmin Connect mobile application.

    Garmin has taken a significant step in enhancing health monitoring with this new feature, making it easier for users to stay informed about their heart health.

    Source:
    Link


    Garmin ECG App Expands Availability for Smartwatch Users

     

  • New Garmin Smartwatches with Solar Models and Features Revealed

    New Garmin Smartwatches with Solar Models and Features Revealed

    It looks like the new version of the Instinct 2 (currently priced at $209.95 on Amazon) is coming soon. Just to recap, photos of the Instinct 3 first surfaced last July, but we didn’t hear much about it again until November when it showed up on a Garmin support page. Interestingly, in that same month, the Instinct 3 was leaked in two different instances.

    Recent Developments

    Recently, a retailer named Jura Watches mentioned the Instinct 3 in a now-deleted post. This makes us think that their description of the smartwatch was likely correct. Before the post was taken down, we managed to capture evidence of the product, which we’ve included below.

    Features and Specifications

    According to the details we found, Garmin seems to be planning to launch the Instinct 3 and Instinct 3S at the same time, along with special Solar editions. Just to clarify, the ‘S’ models are usually smaller than their non-S versions. Jura Watches also notes that all the models will come with Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which is a new feature not found in the Instinct 2 series. While we don’t have a specific release date yet, the retailer hints that all Instinct 3 models will come with features such as:

    Source: Link


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  • Garmin Fixes Forerunner Touchscreen Issues with Latest Update

    Garmin Fixes Forerunner Touchscreen Issues with Latest Update

    Garmin is known for updating its smartwatches more often than its competitors, but these updates sometimes come with problems, even with a public beta program in place. Recently, this was the case with Software Version 21.19, which Garmin began releasing to several smartwatches at the beginning of the month.

    Update Issues

    Reports indicate that the update caused touchscreen issues during activities for nearly all smartwatches except for the Forerunner 255 (curr. $284 on Amazon). Interestingly, the changelog for Software Version 21.20 shows that its previous version also had a bug that made the Connect IQ watch face crash on the Forerunner 255. This issue affects all the other Forerunner models mentioned as well.

    Improvements Made

    Furthermore, the touchscreen settings are now supposed to be "respected" on the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955, and Forerunner 965. Additionally, the last two models have fixed a different bug that stopped distance updates during golf activities. Sadly, it is still unclear when a new update focused on features will be made available. For further information, check out the forum posts linked below.

    Source: Link

  • Garmin Fenix 8 and Smartwatches Get Snap Update to Fix Crashes

    Garmin Fenix 8 and Smartwatches Get Snap Update to Fix Crashes

    In the past few weeks, keeping track of the numerous bug fixes, new features, and enhancements from Garmin for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Fenix 8 (currently priced at $1,099.99 on Amazon) has been quite a challenge. To give some perspective, the company released System Software 12.22 at the end of last month, which included around 130 changes.

    Beta Testing Insights

    On the other hand, Garmin has been testing even more updates in its Beta Program, which haven’t made it to the main software releases. This month, however, the updates that have come out include significantly less improvements compared to before.

    Recent Updates

    For instance, Beta Version 12.32 was released nearly a week ago and had just a three-line changelog. Now, we have Beta Version 12.34, which features even fewer updates. Still, this version is meant to fix a problem with Garmin’s Connect IQ service that might lead it to crash unexpectedly.

    Future Updates

    At this point, Garmin has not yet announced when this bug fix will be available for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Fenix 8 smartwatches that are on stable software. All indications suggest that there will be at least one more beta version before a new stable update is rolled out. Notably, Beta Version 12.34 comes with ECG and Dive features turned off. For further details, you can check out Garmin’s forum post.

    Source: Link

  • Garmin Launches New Beta After Latest Stable Smartwatch Update

    Garmin Launches New Beta After Latest Stable Smartwatch Update

    Garmin has begun to launch a new beta update for its smartwatches, including the Fenix 7, Fenix 7x, Fenix 7s, Epix, Enduro 2, and Marq Gen 2. The announcement for beta version 19.38 was made on the company’s online forum, where it was highlighted that this update does not impact Pro models such as the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar (currently priced at $649.99 on Amazon).

    Details on the Update

    This beta update comes after the stable version 19.34, which was released a few weeks ago. The new update introduces six bug fixes for the aforementioned smartwatches. Among the fixes is a correction for a problem where the workout schedules on the device did not align with those in Garmin Connect. Additionally, issues with incorrect weekly totals and unexpected shutdowns when saving an activity have been addressed. Garmin has also resolved the absence of pan/zoom icons on maps and missing translations for workout names. Lastly, a bug that caused sleep tracking to restart after it had been turned off has also been fixed.

    How to Download

    To download the update, users should navigate to Menu -> System -> Software Update -> Check For Updates. It is currently unknown when beta version 19.38 will become available to all users of the non-Pro Fenix 7 and other related smartwatches. Furthermore, it is still uncertain when the initial beta update for the next testing cycle, version 20.xx, will be released.

    Source: Link


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  • Garmin Smartwatch Receives Stable Update with Bug Fixes

    Garmin Smartwatch Receives Stable Update with Bug Fixes

    Garmin has announced a fresh stable update for the Lily 2 Active smartwatch. The new software version 3.02 comes after the beta version 3.01, which was tried out earlier this month. This update brings several bug fixes to enhance the performance of the device.

    Fixes and Improvements

    A post on the Garmin forum shares that the team has addressed problems with the breathwork data screens and the workout progress bar. Additionally, issues with the date displayed on the Last Sport widget and the hourly report in the Weather widget have been corrected too. There are also enhancements for Text Languages (version 3.02), GCM Translations (version 3.02), and the Sensor Hub (32.20). You can check out the complete change log below.

    Auto Pause Feature

    Interestingly, the Auto Pause feature, which was part of the beta version 3.01, is not mentioned in this update. It’s possible that this function, which automatically stops the timer when you take a break during your workout, may be included in a future update. The Garmin team has confirmed that stable software version 3.02 is now accessible for all users of the Lily 2 Active smartwatch (currently priced at $299.99 on Amazon). You can get the update through Garmin Express or the Garmin Connect Mobile app.

  • Garmin Fenix 8 Update: CIQ App Enhancements and Bug Fixes

    Garmin Fenix 8 Update: CIQ App Enhancements and Bug Fixes

    Garmin is moving quickly to deliver new bug fixes for its latest smartwatches. Earlier this week, the company began to release System Software 12.22 for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Fenix 8 (currently priced at $1,099.99 on Amazon). This significant update included a total of 130 changes, with 79 being fixes for various bugs.

    New Software Cycle Begins

    Now, Garmin has kicked off its next round of software development with Beta Version 12.31. In this update, the company has once again turned off the Dive and electrocardiogram (ECG) features, which will be restored in a later stable release. Meanwhile, Beta Version 12.31 introduces an additional seven bug fixes.

    Specific Fixes Included

    For instance, Garmin has reportedly fixed problems that stopped phone call alert sounds from working. In addition, alarms should now work correctly when users switch from a Fenix 7 to an Enduro 3, Fenix E, or Fenix 8. Furthermore, Beta Version 12.31 includes two bug fixes focused on CIQ, which are as follows:

    Source: Link

  • Garmin Teases New Smartwatch Release for New Year 2024

    Garmin Teases New Smartwatch Release for New Year 2024

    Barely any time has passed since Fitness Tracker Test found a mention of the upcoming Instinct 3 on a Garmin support page. Normally, such a mention alone wouldn’t signal a new product launch. However, a new leak indicates that the Instinct 2, currently priced at $199.99 on Amazon, might be getting replaced sooner than we thought.

    New Discoveries

    The Instinct 3 was recently found on Garmin’s Hungarian website, but the complete product details haven’t been released yet. Instead, it seems the device mistakenly showed up as a sponsored ad on Google. As a result, there’s not much information available right now.

    Confusing Findings

    Interestingly, if you reverse search the linked device, it turns out to be an Enduro 2 rather than the Instinct 3. Still, it’s clear that an Instinct 2 is real and likely to launch soon. Additionally, the announcement hints at starting ‘the new year with a new watch’, suggesting a potential launch in early 2025. Whether this happens in two months, as Gadgets & Wearables proposes, is something we will have to wait to see.

    Source: Link,Link,Link


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