Garmin’s latest beta update for its smartwatch line has introduced an array of innovative features aimed at enhancing user experiences across fitness, navigation, and daily wellness tracking. With a focus on practicality and performance, these updates spotlight Garmin’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what wearable technology can achieve.
The update brings significant enhancements to Garmin’s Forerunner series, notably models 255, 955, and 965, adding a variety of features and improvements. Among these, the introduction of a ‘Sleep Coach glance’ stands out, offering users detailed insights and recommendations to optimize their sleep quality. This tool establishes a ‘Personal Baseline’ for sleep, aiming to guide users towards achieving optimal rest based on historical sleep patterns and current lifestyle factors.
For fitness enthusiasts, a new ‘Jump Rope’ activity profile has been added, providing a specialized tracking option for this form of exercise. Additionally, the update enhances multisport transitions with an ‘Auto Activity Detect‘ feature, streamlining the process of switching between different sport modes during triathlons or duathlons. This ensures seamless transitions and accurate data recording across all segments of a multisport event.
Another notable inclusion is the ‘Lap Undo’ feature, designed to correct any accidental lap recordings during workouts. This option allows users to maintain the accuracy of their session data without the worry of unintended inputs disrupting their records.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Shopping ad
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days display always-on)
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Garmin has also addressed the needs of runners by integrating a global database of 400m running tracks, a boon for athletes seeking precision in performance measurement. Further enhancing the user experience, updates to turn point course navigation and headset compatibility have been implemented, particularly benefiting the Music versions of the Forerunner 265 series.
The latest beta version isn’t just about adding new features; it also includes fixes for various issues, such as touchscreen settings during sleep mode, text display on map navigation pages, and inconsistencies in backlight brightness levels. For strength training, the update ensures the selected set weight is remembered during structured workouts, enhancing the utility of the Strength activity profile.
Shopping ad
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Moreover, Garmin has expanded its wellness tracking capabilities with the introduction of nap tracking, allowing users to monitor daytime rest and receive recommendations for optimal nap durations and timings. This addition complements the existing sleep tracking features, offering a more comprehensive overview of rest patterns.
The ‘Red Shift Mode’ introduced in the Forerunner 265 and 965 models caters to those sensitive to blue light exposure, adjusting the display to emit reddish hues that are easier on the eyes and less likely to disrupt sleep patterns. This mode maintains full functionality while aiming to minimize the impact of screen time on sleep quality.
Shopping ad
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Garmin’s latest beta update exemplifies the brand’s dedication to evolving its wearable technology to meet the diverse needs of its users. From enhancing fitness tracking and sleep management to improving navigation and device usability, these updates underscore Garmin’s role as a leader in the smartwatch market.
Quick Recap
Shopping ad
- Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
- Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
- Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
Shopping ad
- Make a bold statement with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a 0.9” display with solar charging lens and unlimited battery life with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions)
- Engineered with a supertough 45 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater visibility in the outdoors and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- Know your body better with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
- Navigate confidently with a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, which delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
