Garmin releases new update for flagship smartwatches with focus mode improvements and other changes

Garmin is pressing ahead with its latest round of beta development after taking a diversion to v15.xx builds last week. For context, the company issued Beta Version 15.33 before quickly transitioning the same update to its stable software branch with a bug fix for a specific issue that could occur when an Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 or Tactix 8 (curr. $1,299.99 on Amazon) smartwatch was left running for multiple days.

Shortly afterwards, Garmin offered v17.17 to its public beta testers with 16 changes from its predecessor. Now, the company has replaced Beta Version 17.17 with Beta Version 17.18, which is available to download across Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 or Tactix 8 smartwatches that have been enrolled on Garmin's Beta Program.

According to the company's forum post, Beta Version 17.18 contains another half-dozen improvements. As a result, v17.xx development should have now surpassed 100 changes from System Software 15.33. Of the refinements that Garmin has bundled within Beta Version 17.18, five are bug fixes and one is a new feature. As the list below highlights, Garmin has used its latest beta update to add a theatre mode to its custom focus mode functionality. Meanwhile, the bug fixes should address issues relating to custom focus modes, sleep mode, activity history and device resets. Please see the changelog below and Garmin's forum post for more details.