Garmin offers up new stable update with nearly two-dozen changes to flagship Forerunner smartwatch

The Forerunner 965 is now eligible for a new stable system update, the first since January's release of Software Version 17.26. This time, Garmin has issued Software Version 18.22 following a lengthy 18.xx beta testing period. Based on the company's recent software development cycles, it would seem that Software Version 18.22 is the last update of its kind before Garmin begins offering 19.xx updates.

Given that the Forerunner 965 has jumped from 17.xx to 18.xx stable builds, it should come as no surprise to learn that Software Version 18.22 latter contains nearly two dozen changes. On the one hand, Garmin describes improvements like fixing 'various UI and system bugs' or providing 'updated mobile translations'. On the other hand, the changelog also includes specific refinements, such as bug fixes for a crash when swiping left to dismiss certain smart home notifications or an issue that resulted in truncated text showing on map navigation fields.

Additionally, the update introduces new features like a jump rope activity, a sleep coach glance and male voice audio prompts. According to Garmin, the rollout of Software Version 18.22 is at 50%. However, it has not confirmed when the rest of the Forerunner 965 smartwatches it has sold will receive the new update. Either way, the full changelog for Software Version 18.22 is as follows:

• Automatically detects a transition to the next sport in a multisport activity such as a triathlon.
• Adds Lap Undo.
• Adds the Sleep Coach glance.
• Runners can access a world wide database of tracks.
• Adds the jump rope activity.
• Adds male voice audio prompts.
• Improved headset compatibility.
• Improved optical heart rate performance in cold weather.
• Fixed strength profile set weight now remembered in structured workout.
• Fixed backlight brightness level when using real time settings.
• Fixed truncated text on map navigation data fields.
• Fixed touch screen settings when in sleep mode.
• Fixed freeze/crash associated with trying to update weather info on invalid location data.
• Fixed various sport profile settings bugs.
• Fixed text clipping issues in activity summary page.
• Fixed backlight gesture not working in do not disturb mode.
• Fixed slow notification updates on watch face notification data field.
• Fixed crash when swiping left to dismiss certain smart home notifications.
• Fixed various UI and system bugs.
• Updated Mobile Translations.

Purchase the Garmin Forerunner 965 (Amp Yellow/Black) on Amazon