Garmin updates its newest Forerunner watches with 18 fixes for Garmin Coach, music and more
The latest Forerunner 570 and 970 beta update squashes bugs and enhances features – here's what's new
Garmin has released another beta software update for its newest running watches, continuing the rapid pace of improvements following the launch of the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970.
The previous Beta 18.12 release introduced features such as "OK, Garmin" voice activation and several new software additions.
The new Beta 18.14 version is almost entirely focused on bug fixes and overall stability.
There are 18 changes in total, including fixes for several music playback quirks.
Garmin has addressed issues that could cause music to continue playing over spectator messages, an unexpected increase in volume after an alarm, incorrect playback information, or a brief switch to the watch's speaker after Bluetooth headphones disconnect.
The company has also changed the default behaviour so button tones are automatically disabled when fitness headphones are connected.
The update also improves Garmin Coach reliability by eliminating a bug that could cause the training days displayed on the watch to differ from those in a Garmin Coach plan.
Another resolves problems when selecting rest days for Garmin Coach and Daily Suggested Workouts.
Forerunner 570: fewer bugs, smoother workouts
Garmin says it has also fixed crashes that could occur during Indoor Climb activities, as well as resets that could occur when saving Indoor Rowing workouts.
There are additional fixes for alarm behaviour, touch controls during water sports, headphone volume, Touch Lock false unlocks and a handful of translation updates.
It's not the most exciting update of the year, but it's another sign that the company is keen on refining its wearables years after their release (well, in this case, a year).
For anyone using Garmin Coach, training indoors or listening to music directly from the watch, Beta 18.14 should make the overall experience noticeably smoother.
Public Beta Version 18.14 is now rolling out to members of Garmin's Beta Program, although the company says only around 20% of eligible users will receive it initially as part of a phased deployment.
If you're enrolled in the programme, you can also trigger the download manually by heading to Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.
[via NotebookCheck, Garmin Forums]
