Battery monitoring and more: New software update brings new features to Garmin smartwatch with bug fixes too

Hardly any time has passed since Garmin issued Software Version 15.33 for the Venu X1 (curr. $599 on Amazon). The second v15.xx update for the device, after November's release of Software Version 15.16, Software Version 15.33 focused on bug fixes, including one that could cause a crash when playing music through Bluetooth headphones.

By contrast, Beta 16.11 contains 18 changes, including over a dozen new features. Of those, five improve the Venu X1's glance selection in one way or another, with a new battery monitoring option arguably the pick of the bunch. Additionally, Garmin has added Fish Forecast and Tides apps, as well as new voice alerts and audio prompts.

Again, the company claims to have integrated 'various' bug fixes and improvements too. However, it has not elaborated further. Instead, the official changelog focuses on other new features like the option of enabling colour filters and training plans that focus on timed, cardio and strength workouts. Please note that Garmin will likely offer more beta updates before transitioning v16.xx to its stable software branch. The full Beta 16.11 changelog is as follows:

• Adds a glance for tracking your favourite sports teams.
• Adds a glance that tracks battery life details and performance.
• Adds a glance that tracks your weight.
• Adds a glance to track how daily behaviours affect certain health metrics.
• Adds an activity to record multiple sports in a row.
• Adds colour filters to the watch settings.
• Adds insights to the sleep glance for your ideal bedtime and wake time.
• Adds more details to a course including cut-off times and aid stations.
• Adds the Fish Forecast app.
• Adds the Tides app.
• Adds training plans that focus on timed workouts, cardio workouts, and optional strength workouts.
• Adds voice alerts to the watch settings.
• Adds voice alerts when using a compatible radar device.
• Audio Prompts - 2.07
• Download a watch app that displays recent WhatsApp messages.
• If you forget to stop the timer at the end of a course, you can trim the activity using the course finish point.
• Updates your training guidance with consideration to recent dives.
• Various bug fixes and improvements.