Garmin releases almost two dozen improvements to smartwatches with major update rollout

Garmin has released a new stable update specific to the Venu 4 and Vivoactive 6 (curr. $249 on Amazon). To recap, the company introduced Software Version 16.37 in late March. As we discussed at the time, the update contained around half a dozen changes. Many of those were bug fixes too, with no new features to speak of.

Now, the company has returned with Software Version 17.33. A culmination of ongoing beta development from early April, Software Version 17.33 brings 24 changes to both smartwatches. According to Garmin's forum posts, 17 of these are bug fixes. Additionally, 4 of these bug fixes relate to issues that could cause the Venu 4 and Vivoactive 6 to unexpectedly reset. Moreover, the new update is said to add Approach CT1 club sensor support while improving time responsiveness.

As far as we can tell, System Software 17.33 contains 6 changes specific to the Venu 4, too. Again, many of these are bug fixes. However, the update also introduces a silent mode, which Garmin has linked to a button shortcut and the control loop. System Software 17.33 should reach all Venu 4 and Vivoactive 6 smartwatches in the next few days once they are synchronised with Connect Mobile and Garmin Express. The full list of changes between Software Version 16.37 and Software Version 17.33 is as follows:

Garmin Venu 4-specific

• Adds support for a silent mode that can be quickly accessed via the control loop or a button shortcut.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the screen to incorrectly respond to touch after taking an ECG reading.
• Fixes an issue that could result in not being able to accept an incoming call on the watch.
• Fixes an issue with Garmin Coach workouts sometimes failing to sync to the device.
• Fixes being able to access voice command, music, and voice notes apps during an active call.
• Fixes an issue that could cause excessive battery drain after using the phone assistant or accepting a phone call on the watch.

Garmin Venu 4 & Vivoactive 6

• Adds support for Approach CT1 club sensors.
• Allows access to the keyboard layout menu via a swipe up from the bottom of the page.
• GCM Translations - 3.90
• Fixes a possible issue where the back and down key would not work for indoor climb and bouldering activities.
• Fixes an issue that could cause an upcoming race event not to show on the device.
• Fixes an issue that could cause pool swim workouts to progress through active steps without interaction.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when adding apps via Garmin Connect Mobile.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when recording an activity.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when using WhatsApp on an iPhone.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when viewing the evening report.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the tones for the rest timer countdown during strength workouts to sound out of rhythm.
• Fixes an issue that could result in a failure when uploading an activity file to Garmin Connect.
• Fixes an issue that could result in devices with many saved activity files to appear unresponsive at times.
• Fixes an issue where the gear tracking progress bar shown after an activity does not include the just-completed activity.
• Fixes an issue with syncing strength personal records with Garmin Connect.
• Fixes battery estimates when switching power modes for activities.
• Fixes other minor bugs.
• Fixes send off time not vibrating during swim workouts.
• Fixes watch face sunset/sunrise data fields not updating.
• Fixes weather app not updating when you enter the app.
• Improves responsiveness when starting the timer.
• Prevents automatic track detection during trail run activities.
• Updates translations.
• With a Garmin Golf subscription, adds premium features like green contour data, enhanced CourseView maps, and PlaysLike distance.