Garmin launches new timed workout-focused training plans and other new features for budget smartwatch via latest update

Garmin has flighted a new update for the Vivoactive 6 after introducing Software Version 15.33 for the same smartwatch roughly a fortnight ago. For reference, Software Version 15.33 marked the end of 15.xx development after five beta builds and two stable updates, including itself.

By contrast, Beta 16.11 is the first v16.xx update that Garmin has offered for the Vivoactive 6 (curr. $249.99 on Amazon) in any capacity. As a result, the new update contains more changes than normal. Specifically, Beta 16.11 makes 11 improvements over Software Version 15.33.

Typically, Garmin packs its changelogs with bug fixes. This time, however, the company has focused on new features. Strictly speaking, all of the changes mentioned in Garmin's Beta 16.11 changelog are new features in one capacity or another.

For example, the option of downloading a watch app that displays recent WhatsApp messages is a fresh addition for the Venu 4. Likewise, Beta 16.11 adds four previously unreleased glances and time workout-focused training plans. The full changelog between Software Version 15.33 and Beta 16.11 is as follows; please see Garmin's forum post for more details:

• Adds a glance for tracking your favorite 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 behaviors affect certain health metrics.
• Adds an activity to record multiple sports in a row.
• Adds color filters to the watch settings.
• Adds insights to the sleep glance for your ideal bed time and wake time.
• 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.
• Download a watch app that displays recent WhatsApp messages.