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Garmin brings features and bug fixes to new smartwatches with latest update

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatch is now eligible for Beta 9.15. (Image source: Garmin)
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatch is now eligible for Beta 9.15. (Image source: Garmin)
The Garmin Public Beta 9.15 update is now rolling out to one of the brand’s latest models. The software includes two new tools and various bug fixes for the wearable, including one intended to resolve a battery drain problem. However, a user has reported further battery life issues post-update.

Garmin has released the Public Beta update version 9.15 for the Vivoactive 5 smartwatch. The GPS wearable was launched in September with features including Morning Report, Body Battery energy monitoring, and Garmin Pay contactless payments. This software release is the first in the 9.xx series for the model and is also available for the Venu 3 and Venu 3s watches.

Update version 9.15 provides two additional tools for the Vivoactive 5: a Jump Rope activity and support for male audio prompts, though you need to download further audio files here. The software also includes a range of bug fixes for the wearable. Firstly, an issue where music would start playing at random times has been resolved. For users of the Golf activity, a bug where scoring could be switched off by changing a setting has been fixed. Plus, a problem with a high rate of battery drain when wrist heart rate measurements were turned off has been resolved. However, one user has reported in the forum that they have observed worse battery life after the update; Garmin has yet to respond to the post.

You can download the beta update from the Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update. The company requests that users list any further bugs in the dedicated section of the forum. If you own a Vivoactive 5 smartwatch and wish to join the Garmin Beta Program, you can do so via Garmin Connect.

(Image source: Garmin)
(Image source: Garmin)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 01 > Garmin brings features and bug fixes to new smartwatches with latest update
Polly Allcock, 2024-01-15 (Update: 2024-01-15)