Tag: Garmin

January 28, 2025
Garmin Launches Stable Software Update to Fix Alarm Issues
Garmin has begun the distribution of software version 2.68 for the Venu Sq 2 smartwatch. This update comes after version 2.66, which was released nearly eight months ago and included enhancements to Connect IQ along with general system stability improvements.
What’s New in Version 2.68
The new software version 2.68 is primarily a minor update, featuring just two changes. First off, Garmin has fixed an issue related to the alarm, although it’s not clear exactly what the problem was. The second point mentions additional enhancements to system stability, but there are no specifics on how users might notice these improvements.
Battery Drain Concerns
A significant detail missing from the update notes is any mention of the recent battery drain problems reported by users. Many customers have complained about their batteries depleting quicker than expected after updating to version 2.66, with some watches struggling to last over 24 hours. It remains uncertain whether version 2.68 will address this issue or not.
Venu Sq 2 smartwatch users (currently priced at $184.94 on Amazon) can access the new software version 2.68 through either the Garmin Connect Mobile app or Garmin Express. The company has stated that the update is available for all users immediately and is not being rolled out in stages.
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Tags: Garmin, software update 2.68, Venu Sq 2
January 27, 2025
Garmin Fixes LiveTrack Issues on Fenix 7 and 7 Pro with Update
Garmin recently released a stable update for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro, which is currently priced at $688.99 on Amazon. This update, labeled System Software 19.41, didn’t bring many new features to the Fenix 7 series and its counterparts. Instead, it primarily aimed to fix a bug that caused the Connect IQ app to crash.
Ongoing Issues
There are still several unresolved bugs, which Garmin has been addressing through its Beta Program this month. The latest Beta Version 20.13 is available for manual download or through Garmin’s over-the-air (OTA) service. Unfortunately, there are not many official enhancements to report, with the only mentioned fix addressing a LiveTrack crash issue.
Future Updates
Garmin hasn’t given any clues about when we might see the next stable update. The release of Beta Version 20.13, with the ECG and Dive features disabled, indicates that this is likely not the final beta in this development cycle. Currently, the v20.xx builds introduce the following changes from System Software 19.41:
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Tags: Beta Version 20.13, Fenix 7, Garmin
January 21, 2025
Garmin Unveils New AMOLED GPS Smartwatch with 10-Day Battery Life
Garmin has introduced the Approach S44 GPS golf smartwatch to the global market. This device features a 1.2-inch vibrant AMOLED display framed by a silver aluminum bezel. Buyers can select from either Black or Twilight (blue/gray) silicone bands.
Extensive Golfing Features
The Approach S44 is packed with various golfing capabilities and includes preloaded maps for more than 43,000 golf courses. Users can access tools such as hazard view and yardage measurements to different locations on the green, assisting in shot planning. Additionally, features like CourseView maps and PlaysLike Distance are available for Garmin Golf subscribers, starting at $99.99 per month. Furthermore, you can keep track of your scoring directly on the watch and upload your scores to the Garmin Golf app for detailed analytics.
Smart Connectivity and Activity Tracking
This smartwatch can connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth LE for smart notifications. It also includes features like a calendar, weather updates, music control, and a phone finder option. Besides golfing, the watch can be used to monitor activities such as running and cycling, as well as track your daily step count. As per Garmin, the smartwatch has a battery life of up to 15 hours in GPS mode and can last for 10 days in smartwatch mode.
Pricing and Availability
You can purchase the Garmin Approach S44 for $299.99/£299.99/€349.99 directly from the Garmin online store. It’s also available on Amazon, although it is currently listed as “Temporarily out of stock” there. This new model is released along with the Approach S50, which boasts additional features like heart rate monitoring and a Morning Report.
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Tags: Approach S44, Garmin, GPS golf smartwatch
January 20, 2025
New Garmin Update: Body Battery TrueUp & Workout Enhancements
Garmin has been actively releasing new beta updates for its range of smartwatches and cycling computers. Recently, they have rolled out updated firmware for the Fenix 7 series and all currently supported Forerunner smartwatches.
Upcoming Changes in Q1 2025
Various sources have acquired an overview of Garmin’s intended stable updates for Q1 2025, which are expected to be released later this quarter. It’s important to mention that the accompanying image has not been verified yet. Therefore, we can’t ensure it’s free from alterations or photoshopping, even though it aligns with the design of previous Garmin feature launches.
New Features on the Horizon
The new features noted seem to align with what Garmin has been trialing in its recent beta versions. For example, Strength Workouts will be integrated into Garmin’s Run and Cycling Coach suites. Based on the image shown below, Strength Workouts are likely to be available for all recent Edge cycling computers, most Forerunner smartwatches, and the Fenix 8 (currently priced at $1,099.99 on Amazon), but will not be available for the Fenix 7 series or its Enduro, Marq, Quatix, and Tactix models.
Garmin is also expected to introduce Body Battery TrueUp, which syncs body battery data to a single Garmin account for use across various devices. In addition, the Q1 2025 update will bring passcodes; however, this feature will not be available for the Enduro 2, Fenix 7, and other similar devices. When enabled, the passcode feature locks the smartwatch with a custom PIN if it detects that it is no longer being worn. Unfortunately, it’s not clear when these new features will actually be released, other than sometime this quarter. For more information, please refer to the graphic below.
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Tags: Fenix 7, Forerunner, Garmin
January 20, 2025
Garmin Launches Forerunner Smartwatch Update with HR Zone Enhancements
Garmin has swiftly released a new update for several Forerunner smartwatches, just after finishing Software Version 22.12 for these devices. To summarize, the recent stable update included multiple bug fixes for the Forerunner 165 and Forerunner 965 (currently priced at $594.99 on Amazon), among others. Software Version 22.12 also claimed to enhance Run Coach and Cycling Coach, with full details covered in a separate announcement.
New Beta Version
Now, Garmin has moved ahead to version 22.14, which is now part of its Beta Program. Sadly, there’s no clear timeline for when this update will shift from beta to stable. The quick transition of Beta Version 22.12 to stable suggests that the new version might follow the same path, though.
Bug Fixes for Multiple Models
Both the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955, and Forerunner 965 are getting the same two bug fixes, which aim to address heart rate (HR) zone problems. On one side, Beta Version 22.14 includes a fix for a glitch that might cause a crash when changing HR zones. On the other hand, this update also aims to fix issues that led to incorrect time displays or even wrong HR zones.
The changelog for all five models mentions ‘various bug fixes and improvements’, but it does not give any further details about this. Moreover, Garmin issued a separate fix for the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965, which sometimes resulted in missing app icons in the notification glance. It’s important to note that this fix isn’t being rolled out to the Forerunner 255 or Forerunner 955, nor to the newer Forerunner 165.
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Tags: Forerunner 165, Garmin, Software Version 22.14
January 17, 2025
Garmin Smartwatches Beta Update Enhances Run and Cycling Coaches
Garmin has revealed that the beta version 13.07 can now be downloaded for its Venu 3, Venu 3s, and Vivoactive 5 smartwatches. This marks the first update in the 13.xx testing series, following the stable release of version 12.12 not long ago.
Improvements in Training Plans
According to the change log, beta version 13.07 introduces enhancements to the Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Cycling Coach plans. Last year, the original Garmin Coach was replaced by these two options. With this new update, these tailored training plans now integrate strength workouts along with your regular running or cycling sessions to boost your performance even more. Additionally, it provides more details about the connection type shown for linked sensors. Moreover, the smartwatches are now compatible with the latest Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields.
How to Download the Beta
In a forum announcement, Garmin stated that beta version 13.07 is ready to be downloaded for the Venu 3, Venu 3s, and Vivoactive 5 (current price $244 at Amazon) smartwatches. To initiate the installation, navigate to Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update. If you’re interested in participating in the beta program, you can enroll through Garmin Connect.
Garmin (Venu 3/3s, Vivoactive 5) is taking steps to enhance the user experience with this update.
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Tags: Garmin, Venu 3, Vivoactive 5
January 17, 2025
Garmin Fenix 8 Beta Update: 20+ New Features and Changes
The Garmin Beta Version 13.18 update is now out for the Fenix 8 AMOLED, Fenix 8 Solar, Enduro 3, and Fenix E smartwatches. This update comes a little over a week after the previous beta version, 13.14.
Notable Changes in the Update
This update is significant, featuring 23 different changes noted in the release documentation. Among these changes is the introduction of a Character Pop-up for users of the on-watch QWERTY keyboard. A new Proximity Alert feature has also been added for GPS-related activities. Additionally, font scaling support is now included on the Workout Structure card, and Segments are now part of the Training Menu. Furthermore, users can adjust the transparency of the Pan/Zoom Bar on the Map.
Improvements and Fixes
Garmin mentions that it has refreshed the Recent Sleep Scores page and enhanced the RAM file saving process. There are fixes for various issues, including accidental alarm dismissals, problems with deleting Custom Activity profiles, and touch input troubles in the map app. The complete change log is available below. The Garmin team has indicated that this rollout is happening in phases; currently, at least 25% of eligible smartwatch users have received the update over-the-air (OTA). It remains uncertain when the stable version of the 13.18 software will be accessible to all users of the Fenix 8 (47mm AMOLED currently priced at $999.99 at Amazon) and related smartwatches.
Conclusion
Garmin’s latest update brings a host of new features and important fixes, making it a noteworthy enhancement for users. Keep an eye out for the full rollout, as it may take some time for everyone to get the update.
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Tags: Fenix 8, Garmin, software update
January 16, 2025
Garmin Updates Resume Later Feature with New Smartwatch Shortcut
The recent updates to the Garmin smartwatch’s Resume Later feature have sparked interest among users. Although Garmin has not made an official announcement regarding this upgrade, discussions on Reddit have highlighted the changes. The Resume Later function is designed to let Garmin smartwatch users resume a paused activity after taking a break. A key advantage of this feature compared to the standard pause option is that it turns off the GPS, helping to save battery life.
New Shortcut Icons
Garmin has introduced a blue person icon at the top of the watch face, serving as a shortcut for the Resume Later feature, enabling users to quickly return to their interrupted activity. In the past, users had to manually search for their paused workout, which required multiple taps. Images shared by Reddit user u/svacher display this new shortcut both on the home screen and in always-on-display mode. However, some smartwatch users have pointed out a potential problem: depending on the design of the watch face, the blue person icon may blend in too much, making it difficult to see.
Additional Navigation Features
In addition to the blue person icon for Resume Later, there is a red clock icon that allows quick access to the timer. Furthermore, there are reports of a similar feature available for the flashlight. These updates have been noted by users of the Fenix 8 (51mm Solar Sapphire Edition curr. $1,169.99 at Amazon) and other related smartwatches. It remains uncertain if or when Garmin will extend the Resume Later, timer, and flashlight shortcut icons to additional smartwatch models.
Overall, while the new shortcuts seem useful, users may need to adapt to the potential visibility issues in certain watch face designs.
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Tags: Fenix 8, Garmin, Resume Later
January 16, 2025
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:
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Tags: Forerunner 255, Garmin, Software Update 21.22
January 16, 2025
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.
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Tags: Garmin, Venu 3, Vivoactive 5