Garmin delivers major new update to popular smartwatches with multiple improvements

Garmin has not forgotten about its older Forerunner smartwatches just yet. Currently, the company consider the Forerunner 70, Forerunner 170, Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 (curr. $749 on Amazon) to be current-generation Forerunner smartwatches. Nonetheless, it continues to provide updates to models as far back as the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955.

In June, Garmin launched Software Version 28.05 to those smartwatches and their successors. Now, the company has followed this update with its next major beta release. Specifically, Public Beta Version 29.04 is now rolling out to all Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches enrolled on Garmin's Beta Program.

In a series of forum posts, Garmin clarifies that only 20% of eligible smartwatches have received notifications to download Public Beta Version 29.04. While a phased rollout will continue for some time, one can skip the queue by navigating through your Forerunner's main menu to System and Software Update before tapping 'Check for Updates'.

Reportedly, the new beta resolves an issue that prevented personal strength records from correctly synchronising with Garmin Connect. Also, Public Beta Version 19.04 should fix a separate bug that caused problems with configuring heart rate and power fields from Garmin Connect Mobile. On top of that, the new beta is said to contain 'various' other unspecified bug fixes and improvements, too. Garmin has not confirmed when v29.xx software will receive a stable rollout yet.