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Garmin introduces changes and improvements for Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches with Alpha version 9.14

The Fenix 7 series is one of the three smartwatch series that Garmin has updated so far. (Image source: Garmin)
The Fenix 7 series is one of the three smartwatch series that Garmin has updated so far. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin has brought a raft of new features to several of its latest flagship smartwatches. With Alpha version 9.14, Garmin is testing out multiple changes for the Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series. However, there are a few known issues, including a possible lag incurred when using Connect IQ widgets.

Garmin has started rolling out Alpha version 9.14 to the Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series, all released earlier this year. Understandably, the alpha update contains a few known issues, along with several changes that Garmin is testing before it rolls them out in a future stable build. Specifically, Garmin has confirmed that Alpha version 9.14 contains the following known issues:

  1. Potential watch crash occurring randomly, sometimes when the watch is capturing solar. If you encounter a seemingly random crash, it may be this known issue. We would always like to see your error log files for a crash report, even if it turns out to be a known issue. Please reference these wiki pages for more information on which files we'd like to see for a crash report, and/or how to access files from your watch and upload them to us at Garmin.
  2. Trouble manually syncing with iOS GCM - update to GCM v4.56 to resolve this issue.
  3. Potential to be missing sleep/body battery/stress or other data in iOS GCM. As a work-around, please temporarily disable the phone connection from your watch, and initiate a sync with Wifi. After this sync uploads missing data, you can re-enable the phone connection. Or you can connect your watch to your computer and sync with Garmin Express. Soon there will be another iOS GCM app update that will fully resolve this issue.
  4. Trouble installing Connect IQ Widgets using the CIQ phone app - it will appear as if the phone app is failing to install the selected widget. However, if you connect the watch to the computer, allow it to mount as a connected drive, and then disconnect the watch from the computer, the installed widget will then be present.
  5. Possible lag on the watch when using Connect IQ Widgets. We are working on a solution for this issue.
  6. If using four or more Connect IQ widget glances in a row next to each other, the fourth one may fail to load details. We are working on a solution for this issue.

Thankfully, Alpha version 9.14 contains more changes than it does known issues. It is worth stressing that you must manually install the software update on your smartwatch, the files for which are available on Garmin's download page. Additionally, the company notes that you should use Epix Gen 2 files if you own a Quatix AMOLED model and Fenix 7 files if you have a standard Quatix 7 model.

Moreover, Garmin stresses that people should update their smartwatch's secure_config files if they installed them before May 25. If you need to update these files, you must first delete the appropriate file from your smartwatch and replace it with the latest version. For reference, Garmin has provided a guide on doing so in the same post. Available to download now, Alpha version 9.14 contains the following changes:

  1. Added SatIQ support.
  2. Added eBike support.
  3. Added Race Day features.
  4. Added Stocks widget glance.
  5. Added a Reference Point app.
  6. Added widget glance folders.
  7. Added Cycling Ability feature.
  8. Added Golf Virtual Caddie support.
  9. Added categorization to Activity setup.
  10. Added Training Readiness widget glance.
  11. Added a power key control menu item for RCT.
  12. Added Golf wind speed and direction support.
  13. Added ability to disable temperature recording for an activity.
  14. Added support for Run Power when paired with a compatible accessory.
  15. Added multicolor support to Climb Pro graphs for non-biking activities.
  16. Added a "What's New" screen to call out new features in software updates.
  17. Added a watch face chart data fields for battery level and floors climbed.
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 06 > Garmin introduces changes and improvements for Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches with Alpha version 9.14
Alex Alderson, 2022-06-30 (Update: 2022-07-11)