Garmin has rolled out Public Beta Version 17.18 for its Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches, introducing a host of new features and addressing various bugs. With this beta release, Garmin aims to offer users an exclusive glimpse of the forthcoming enhancements.
One of the notable additions in this update is the expanded functionality of the Body Battery feature, now accompanied by the ability to track naps and receive personalized sleep insights. Users can also access weather information for multiple locations, ensuring they are well-prepared for their outdoor activities.
Smart notifications have received a significant boost in this update, with the introduction of embedded images. This enhancement promises a richer and more informative experience for users. Additionally, a new large font mode has been incorporated to improve readability.
For those who own the Forerunner 965, an exclusive feature called “red shift” has been introduced, specifically designed for watches equipped with an AMOLED display. This feature allows users to adjust the screen color to red, orange, or green, enhancing night vision.
In terms of activity tracking, this update introduces “up ahead” voice prompts and adds an inline skating activity, catering to a broader range of fitness enthusiasts.
Addressing usability issues, Garmin has resolved a bug that was causing certain activity profiles to lack workout data. The update also brings a solution to previous course point limitations, enhancing the navigation experience for users.
Furthermore, Garmin has tackled an issue that was causing some watches to reset when using the calendar glance feature, ensuring a more stable and seamless user experience. Problems related to Spotify integration have also been addressed.
To enhance the overall user interface, Garmin has included various improvements, creating a smoother and more intuitive navigation experience. Additionally, a Sensor Hub Firmware update has been included to optimize performance.
For Forerunner 955 and 965 owners eager to get their hands on these exciting features, manual installation is required. Users can trigger the installation process by navigating to the Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.
Garmin has noted that Version 17.18 is a Release Candidate, indicating its intention to release an identical public version of the update in the near future, provided that no significant issues are uncovered during the testing phase. This exciting release promises to elevate the capabilities of these popular smartwatches and further enhance the user experience.