Your Garmin watch just got a big free update – here's what's new
Though the Apple Watch may still rule the smartwatch roost when it comes to public consciousness and bestseller charts, those who prioritise fitness and health in a wearable gadget may well have a Garmin smartwatch strapped to their wrists.
Garmin watches come in several different price points with features aimed at runners, hikers, cyclists, golfers, triathletes and more, and the company has just announced a huge software update that's being pushed out to several smartwatches that could benefit you.
Rolling out now to all compatible devices, the notably large update brings some key new tools to several modules including the Fenix 8, Instinct 3, Lily 2, Venu 3 and multiple Forerunner and Active watches.
You can see the full list of updates and respective Garmin watches here.
The update coincides with the release of the new Forerunner 570 and 970 watches, as well as the recent Vivoactive 6. All three of these watches include an Expanded Morning Report, an update to the excellent overview Garmin watches can give you at the start of your day.
The Forerunners also have three new tracking features at launch: breathing variations, rucking activity and pack weight. These can record shifts in your breathing patterns, more accurate tracking of load-carrying exercises and the ability to enter your pack weight when training or trekking for more accurate VO2 max estimates.
But you don't need a new Garmin to get these tools. Breathing variations are coming to most existing Garmin watches, while Instinct and Fenix models are getting the rucking and pack weight updates.
Granular tools like this highlight how Garmin really does cater to more specialist training needs than the average Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch.
The free update, which can be downloaded via the Garmin app for iPhone or Android and pushed to your watch, could also bring a passcode option to your watch, as well as a stage timer and also premium golf features, though some of these require a Garmin Golf Membership.
Garmin also said it had introduced its new Garmin Trails feature, though this is locked behind a paywall for Connect+ subscribers.
It's good to see these updates aren't just for the newest Garmins, too. Older models such as the Forerunner 165 are seeing some new features, as are the Vivoactive 5, though there's not much luck beyond that. Apple, Samsung and Google can be better at bringing the newest updates to the oldest watches, but then again, they lack many of the specialist tracking smarts of most Garmin products.
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