Garmin begins testing sizeable new software package for Forerunner 165 smartwatch with first public update

Earlier this week, Garmin published a slew of new updates for recent Forerunner smartwatches. While it consigned all the updates to its Beta Program, they should signal the start of a major software release for the likes of the Forerunner 165 (curr. $249 on Amazon) and its peers.

While the update package for the Forerunner 165 contained a thirteen-line changelog, the eagle-eyed on Garmin's forums spotted something amiss. Surprisingly, Garmin claimed that Public Beta Version 21.14 enabled automatic estimates of features that the smartwatch did not support. Namely, the company stated that the Forerunner 165 could now show Lactate Threshold and Function Threshold Power levels after finishing an activity without any user input.

However, it seems that these changes were included in error. As a result, the changelog for Public Beta Version 21.14 on the Forerunner 165 stands at eleven lines, albeit not for all models. Unfortunately, only Music versions are eligible for Garmin's new Meditation activity, which comes with several associated videos. In other words, Public Beta Version 21.14 brings seven improvements to the basic Forerunner 165, which lacks Wi-Fi connectivity. Please see Garmin's forum post and the full changelog below for more details.

Public Beta Version 21.14 changelog

• Added Meditation Videos (Music versions only).
• Adds the Meditation activity (Music versions only).
• Adds the Moon Phase glance.
• Fixed an issue where Android smart notification images sometimes fail to load.
• Fixed an issue where heart rate randomly spikes after activity is saved.
• Fixed an issue where Navigation using map only adds turn icon for some sports profiles.
• Fixed an issue where some types of daily suggested workouts do not show estimated training effect.
• Fixed an issue where when the timer is set to silent mode, it still makes a sound.
• Improvements to support pool swim workout with pace alerts and critical swim speed.
• Improvements to the pool swim rest screen and alert tones.
• Updated Mobile Translations.