Tag: Garmin

  • Strava Adds Adaptive Training and Garmin, Amazfit Integration

    Strava Adds Adaptive Training and Garmin, Amazfit Integration

    Key Takeaways

    1. New Feature: Strava introduces Instant Workouts, a feature for paying customers that simplifies workout planning.
    2. Subscription Cost: The service costs $11.99 per month with annual billing, but a free trial is available.
    3. Training Modes: Users can choose from four modes: Build, Maintain, Explore, and Recover, each targeting different training goals.
    4. Personalized Suggestions: Users receive five tailored workout suggestions based on their training history and performance level.
    5. Integration with Devices: Instant Workouts can integrate with Garmin Connect and Amazfit devices for adaptive training planning.

    Strava, a platform familiar to many athletes, is now introducing a new feature called Instant Workouts. This feature is available exclusively to paying customers, as it is behind a paywall, although there is a free trial period available. The subscription cost is $11.99 per month for an individual user with annual billing, making it somewhat pricey.

    A New Approach to Training

    Instant Workouts is designed to significantly reduce the hassle of planning workouts for athletes. Users can select from four training modes: Build, Maintain, Explore, and Recover. The Build mode likely includes more challenging training sessions aimed at boosting endurance. Maintain focuses on keeping current performance levels, while Recover is for those who are feeling fatigued but still want to engage in light training. Explore is meant for trying out new sports or finding different routes, helping users break through training plateaus.

    Tailored Training Suggestions

    Once a mode is selected, users receive five training suggestions to choose from. A workout or route is then automatically created based on the selected suggestions. Strava claims that these recommendations are personalized according to the user’s training history and performance level. This approach aims to help users avoid overtraining while still allowing for improvements in performance through adequate training intensity. While adaptive training planning isn’t completely new—Garmin has daily training suggestions, and Amazfit wearables also offer adaptive training plans—Strava does integrate with both Garmin Connect and the Zepp app for Amazfit devices.

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  • Garmin Smartwatches Introduce New Navigation Tool in Beta Update

    Garmin Smartwatches Introduce New Navigation Tool in Beta Update

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin has released beta version 21.15 for select smartwatches, including Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 models.
    2. The update introduces a feature to disable navigation guidance until users are close to the next direction.
    3. Beta version 21.15 fixes several bugs, including issues with Snowboard activity and Nutrition widget crashes.
    4. Specific issues addressed include volume slider vibrations, third-party map usage, and Storm Alert notifications.
    5. The update is being distributed over the air, with about 20% of eligible users having received it so far.

    Garmin has begun to release a new update for select smartwatches, including the Fenix 8 AMOLED, Fenix 8 Solar, Fenix E, Enduro 3, Tactix 8 Solar, and Tactix 8 AMOLED. This beta version 21.15 comes just a few weeks after the previous update, beta version 21.12, which introduced several new features such as the Battery Manager, Course Planner, and the Lifestyle Logging glance.

    Update Details

    In a recent forum post regarding beta version 21.15, a Garmin representative specified that this update is intended solely for non-Pro models. The change log reveals a new feature that allows users to disable navigation guidance until they are close to the next direction. Additionally, this release addresses numerous bugs.

    Bug Fixes and Enhancements

    With the introduction of beta version 21.15, Garmin has resolved an issue affecting the Snowboard activity, where users were unable to see their runs, as well as potential crashes when navigating the Nutrition widget. The company has also fixed issues related to volume slider vibrations, third-party map usage, and Storm Alert notifications. Moreover, for Solar models, a bug that truncated the dive timer seconds on the display has been rectified.

    Availability and Pricing

    Beta version 21.15 is being distributed over the air to users of the Fenix 8 (47 mm AMOLED Carbon Gray DLC Titanium priced at $1,099.99 on Amazon) and other related smartwatches. As of this moment, Garmin estimates that about 20% of eligible users have received the update.

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  • Garmin Launches New Ultra-Thin Smartwatch Version

    Garmin Launches New Ultra-Thin Smartwatch Version

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin has refreshed the Venu X1 with a new color option, ‘Soft Gold with Titanium Caseback’, and a nylon band named ‘French Grey’.
    2. The updated Venu X1 maintains the same features as the original models, including a 7.9 mm thickness, 8-day battery life, and 5 ATM water resistance.
    3. It features a 2-inch AMOLED display and weighs 40 g with the official band included.
    4. The Soft Gold model is priced at $699.99, which is $100 less than its original MSRP during the holiday season.
    5. Garmin’s strategy focuses on enhancing existing products rather than launching new devices, catering to loyal customers.

    Garmin has started the new year by refreshing its product line instead of launching a completely new device. The company has rolled out an update to the Venu X1, introducing a new colour option called ‘Soft Gold with Titanium Caseback’. Alongside this, Garmin has added a complementary nylon band, which is marketed under the name ‘French Grey’.

    Features Remain Consistent

    In terms of features, the updated version does not differ from the original black and green variants of the Venu X1 that were released in June 2025. This Soft Gold version retains a housing thickness of 7.9 mm. It offers a battery life of up to 8 days and comes with a 5 ATM water resistance rating, plus it includes a built-in flashlight. The smartwatch is equipped with a 2-inch AMOLED display, contributing to its total weight of 40 g, which includes the official band from Garmin.

    Pricing and Availability

    The new Soft Gold model is priced at $699.99, aligning it with the price points of its Black and Moss counterparts. This represents a $100 reduction from the smartwatch’s original MSRP, as the Venu X1 was available for $599.99 during the recent holiday season until just a few days ago. You can find the Soft Gold Venu X1 directly from Garmin or order it through other retailers like Amazon.

    Garmin’s updates reflects a strategy to enhance existing products rather than introduce entirely new ones, which may appeal to loyal customers looking for fresh options.

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  • Garmin Nutrition Tracking Feature Faces Issues in Initial Tests

    Garmin Nutrition Tracking Feature Faces Issues in Initial Tests

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin’s Nutrition Tracking feature requires a paid Garmin Connect+ subscription and allows food scanning via barcode or photo recognition.
    2. Setup challenges include the need to unlink MyFitnessPal accounts and set target weights for accurate calorie intake recommendations.
    3. The food scanning technology struggles with complex meals, often misidentifying food items and providing incorrect nutritional data.
    4. The app has limitations, such as using standard portion sizes that may not match personal consumption habits, requiring scales for accuracy.
    5. The smartwatch experience is restricted, with users facing app crashes and limited meal input options directly from the device.

    On Monday, Garmin introduced a new feature known as Nutrition Tracking. This feature is available to those who have a paid Garmin Connect+ subscription. Users can scan their food by either using a barcode or by capturing a photo of their dish with their smartphone camera. The AI technology is designed to recognize the food items. The information collected is then analyzed to reveal nutrient patterns and assess how different diets affect workouts and sleep, among other factors.

    Setup Challenges

    Despite the promising concept, early tests from the5krunner and DC Rainmaker reveal that Garmin’s Nutrition Tracking has its share of challenges. To get started, individuals who used MyFitnessPal for nutrition tracking must first unlink their account from Garmin Connect. After the setup is completed, users can set a target weight. Garmin then uses this information to determine the ideal calorie intake, which is distributed throughout meals like breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

    Recognition Issues

    The food scanning feature does not always function as intended. While it can easily identify simple foods like a single banana, it struggles with complex meals containing multiple components. For instance, a plate with three slices of toast may only be recognized as one slice, and the AI often overlooks the butter under jam, leading to incorrect nutritional data.

    Limitations on Smartwatch

    The app also faces challenges when it comes to differentiating between white and wholegrain toast. Many items are registered with a standard portion size of 100 grams, making it necessary to use scales for accurate nutritional recording. This is particularly inconvenient for items like sauces, jam, or honey, as Garmin’s default serving sizes can be quite different from what is actually consumed, based on personal habits.

    The smartwatch experience is somewhat limited; while Garmin shows the calories and nutritional data for the day, users can only add pre-stored meals directly from the smartwatch. Furthermore, reports indicate that the smartwatch app often crashes, according to findings from DC Rainmaker.

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  • Top Polar and Coros Smartwatches: Great Garmin Fenix Alternatives

    Top Polar and Coros Smartwatches: Great Garmin Fenix Alternatives

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin and Zepp Health attract a wide range of users with their wearable devices, capturing significant market share.
    2. Coros and Polar are more recognized among serious athletes, which may explain their lower market shares among casual users.
    3. 2025 introduced display-less trackers, like the Polar Loop, which track heart rate and sleep quality.
    4. Coros’ new Nomad smartwatch features an ECG and the ability to store maps and music directly on the device.
    5. Both Coros and Polar are innovating with software updates and new features while focusing on serious sports enthusiasts.

    Garmin and Zepp Health (Amazfit) are likely to attract a wide range of users with their wearable devices, appealing to both diverse audiences and capturing a significant portion of the market. On the other hand, Coros and Polar seem to be more recognized among serious athletes and running fans rather than the everyday smartwatch wearer, which might explain their lower market shares. While devices from Coros and Polar often serve as comprehensive smartwatches, there is a noticeable emphasis on sports-related activities.

    New Innovations in 2025

    The year 2025 also introduced display-less trackers, with Polar being one of the brands to join this trend. The Polar Loop is equipped with optical sensors that track heart rate, among other functions, and is capable of assessing the quality of sleep. Meanwhile, the Polar Grit X2, launched last year, stands out as a robust outdoor smartwatch that competes well against the likes of the Fenix and T-Rex models. This watch supports navigation using maps that are saved on the device. Additionally, the Vantage M3 is a versatile multisport watch featuring map capabilities, while the Ignite 3 is likely to cater to more typical users. Polar also unveiled new software features in 2025 and provided updates for older gadgets, including an improved Cardio Load feature.

    Coros and Its Latest Offerings

    Midway through 2025, the Nomad smartwatch was unveiled, which includes an ECG and promotes a unique feature for setting activity reminders. Users can store maps and music directly on the device, and Coros still opts for a MiP panel instead of an AMOLED display. The Coros Apex 4, marketed as ideal for mountain sports, also features a MiP display and boasts an impressive battery life of up to 65 hours while using GNSS. Coros has released several software updates as well, including a new option to shorten activities post-completion to prevent the warm-up from affecting the speed run pace. Depending on the smartwatch model, street names can now also be shown.

    Summary of Market Position

    In conclusion, Garmin and Zepp Health continue to dominate the market with their extensive range of wearables, while Coros and Polar focus more on catering to serious sports enthusiasts. The evolution of their products in 2025 shows a commitment to innovate and meet the needs of both dedicated athletes and casual users alike.

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  • Garmin Connect 5.20 Update: New Health Status Timeline Feature

    Garmin Connect 5.20 Update: New Health Status Timeline Feature

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Health Status feature on Garmin devices summarizes key health indicators, including resting heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and skin temperature.
    2. Currently, Health Status only shows health data for a single day, which limits its usefulness.
    3. Upcoming updates may allow users to view extended summaries and historical health data by specifying start and end dates.
    4. New data presentation features, like “healthStatusFormatter,” suggest that metrics may be displayed in a more visual format, potentially using diagrams.
    5. Garmin is actively working on improving health tracking features, aiming to enhance user experience and provide deeper insights into personal health trends.

    Attentive readers, particularly those who use Garmin wearables and Garmin Connect, are probably already acquainted with the Health Status feature. This function is now accessible on a range of devices, not just the Venu 4, and it offers a summary of key health indicators. The necessity for such a feature arises, in part, from the vast amount of data that is collected. Health Status gathers information on resting heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and skin temperature, and it shows how these five metrics relate to the user’s baseline. This could potentially help in spotting an illness at an early stage.

    Possible Improvements on the Horizon

    Currently, Health Status has a drawback: it only displays these values for a single day. However, Gadgets & Wearables has uncovered some unutilized parameters in the latest version 5.20 of Garmin Connect, implying that this might change soon. Specifically, there is code indicating a function that allows for both a start date and an end date, which opens the door for the possibility of displaying extended summaries, health trends, or historical data overviews.

    New Data Presentation Features

    Additionally, there is a parameter called “healthStatusFormatter,” which hints that the data will be presented in some format. It’s conceivable that a diagram could be utilized here, as this would enable the display of multiple metrics in a consolidated way.

    Gadget & Wearables’ findings show that Garmin is working on making improvements to its health tracking features, which could greatly enhance user experience and provide deeper insights into personal health trends.

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  • Garmin Launches Food Logging Feature for Meal Tracking in Connect

    Garmin Launches Food Logging Feature for Meal Tracking in Connect

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin Connect may soon add food tracking capabilities, allowing users to track their food consumption directly.
    2. Users might have the option to upload photos of their meals, though there may be limits on the number of pictures.
    3. It’s unclear if the food tracking feature will be available only to premium users or Garmin Connect+ subscribers.
    4. There is uncertainty about Garmin’s ability to analyze the food photos for calorie and macronutrient estimates.
    5. Users may also receive personalized suggestions for food and drink consumption, beneficial for athletes with specific training needs.

    Garmin seems to be getting ready to add new features to Garmin Connect, or more broadly, to the Garmin ecosystem. An analysis of Garmin Connect 5.20 by Gadgets & Wearables has revealed strong signs pointing towards a potential expansion of food tracking capabilities. This would be a brand-new feature since Garmin Connect can currently pull data from services like MyFitnessPal to calculate the remaining calorie intake for a specific goal, but it lacks the ability to track food consumption directly.

    New Features on the Horizon

    The software indicates that users might soon have the option to take photos of their meals and store them. However, there seem to be limits on how many pictures can be uploaded. Many questions still linger. For instance, it’s not clear if the food tracking feature will be exclusive to premium users, which would mean only Garmin Connect+ subscribers can access it. Additionally, it’s uncertain whether Garmin will have the capability to analyze the photos; there are existing AI systems that can provide rough estimates of calories and macronutrients just from a picture.

    Enhancing Nutrition Tracking

    Food tracking isn’t the only new feature that is expected, as users may also receive suggestions on their food and drink consumption. This could be especially beneficial when paired with training plans, particularly for athletes like runners who need to focus on carbo-loading before a big marathon event.

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  • Garmin Launches Major Update for High-End Smartwatches

    Garmin Launches Major Update for High-End Smartwatches

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin released a new software update for the Fenix 8 Pro and related smartwatches, moving to Beta Version 21.12.
    2. The update includes over two dozen new features from the previous System Software 20.24.
    3. Beta Version 21.12 fixes 49 bugs affecting various parts of the smartwatch operating system.
    4. There are 10 additional improvements, including faster loading times for viewing activity history.
    5. The Fenix 8 Pro is currently priced at $1,116 on Amazon.

    Garmin has provided a final update to its high-end smartwatch users just in time for Christmas. It hasn’t been long since the release of System Software 20.24 for the Fenix 8 Pro (currently priced at $1,116 on Amazon), which included a fix for a map app issue.

    New Software Branch

    Now, Garmin has upgraded the Fenix 8 Pro and its related smartwatches to a new software version, marking the first significant change since the Beta Version 20.07 was introduced in mid-September. This update moves the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix E, Tactix 8, and Enduro 3 to Beta Version 21.12, adding more than two dozen new features from the previous System Software 20.24.

    Bug Fixes and Improvements

    In addition to the new features, Beta Version 21.12 includes 49 bug fixes that address nearly every part of Garmin’s smartwatch operating system. Garmin has also included 10 additional improvements, one of which aims to speed up the loading time for viewing activity history. Below is the complete list of bug fixes, enhancements, and other updates:

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  • Garmin Instinct Update: New Features and Bug Fixes Released

    Garmin Instinct Update: New Features and Bug Fixes Released

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin is rolling out a beta software update (version 13.08) for the Instinct lineup, requiring user request for installation.
    2. The update is compatible with Garmin Instinct 3, Instinct E, and variations like Instinct 3 AMOLED and Instinct 3 Solar.
    3. Instinct 3 Crossover model received a fix for battery life estimation issues, while other models see enhancements for workout readiness.
    4. New features include distance saving for rowing machines, adjustable smart wake-up function, and customizable morning reports.
    5. Swimmers benefit from improved calorie calculation accuracy and various bug fixes for inReach device notifications.

    Garmin has begun the rollout of software version 13.08 for several models in the Instinct lineup. This is a beta update, which means that users who wish to participate must specifically request it, as it will not be automatically delivered. Users can easily make this request directly through their watch, simplifying the process without requiring any complicated installations.

    Availability of the Update

    This update is compatible with the Garmin Instinct 3 and the Instinct E, along with different variations like the Instinct 3 AMOLED and Instinct 3 Solar. The updates have slight variations based on the specific model of the smartwatch. For instance, the Instinct 3 Crossover has seen a fix for a bug that affected the calculation of estimated battery life. Additionally, the Instinct 3 Solar, AMOLED, and Crossover models are receiving enhancements focused on workout readiness.

    Functional Changes Across Models

    All Instinct 3 models will experience some minor functional updates. One new feature allows users to save distance when using a rowing machine, while the smart wake-up function can now be adjusted. This function targets light sleep phases within a 30-minute window, providing a more gentle way to wake up. Users can also customize their morning report now. Swimmers will notice improvements as well, including fixes for issues related to calorie calculations. Furthermore, there are various bug fixes for inReach devices, specifically regarding notifications display.

    Garmin’

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  • New Garmin Fitness Tracker with Built-In GPS Unveiled

    New Garmin Fitness Tracker with Built-In GPS Unveiled

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin has launched the Index Sleep Monitor and expanded the Fenix smartwatch line with the Fenix 8 Pro.
    2. The company is set to unveil the Vivosmart 6, replacing the Vivosmart 5 after over three years.
    3. The Vivosmart 6 will feature built-in GPS and support for over 30 sports activities.
    4. A placeholder for the Vivoactive 6 has appeared on Garmin Sweden’s website, indicating further developments.
    5. A new fitness tracker model A04986 has received certification in South Korea, suggesting updates to the Vivosmart line may come in early 2026.

    Garmin has taken some new paths this year, including the launch of the Index Sleep Monitor. Additionally, they have expanded their premium smartwatch line with the Fenix 8 Pro. Now, it appears that Garmin is getting ready to bring back the Vivosmart line after a long hiatus.

    Upcoming Vivosmart 6

    Sources suggest that Garmin is close to unveiling a new model to replace the Vivosmart 5 (currently priced at $149.99 on Amazon). The Vivosmart 5 features a small monochrome OLED screen and was released over three years ago, offering up to 7 days of battery life along with various health monitoring capabilities. While the design of the successor is still a mystery, Garmin Rumors has found a description on Garmin’s Indonesian site:

    The Vivosmart 6 is described as a fashionable sports watch that can be used by both men and women. It will have built-in GPS and over 30 sports applications. This watch is capable of tracking activities like walking, running, cycling, swimming, and even wheelchair use, making it a great option for daily activity tracking.

    Vivoactive 6 and Other Developments

    In addition, a placeholder for the Vivoactive 6 has appeared on Garmin Sweden’s website. While this listing doesn’t clearly indicate a fitness tracker, it does mention the Vivosmart 6. Furthermore, a new Garmin fitness tracker with the model number A04986 has received certification from the National Radio Research Agency (NRRA) in South Korea. Although it doesn’t specifically mention the Vivosmart 6, all indications are pointing towards a Vivosmart update early in 2026.

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