Garmin smartwatch gets dozens of new features and improvements with major update release

Garmin finally released new stable firmware to the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro (curr. $949 on Amazon) at the end of May. A major update, System Software 22.35 was also available on the Enduro 3, Fenix E and the Quatix 8. For some reason, Garmin did not offer the update to the Tactix 8 despite mentioning the rugged smartwatch in its changelog.

However, the company has now rectified this with a separate release. Supposedly, System Software 22.35 should have now reached all Tactix 8 smartwatches. If that is not the case, then you can request System Software 22.35 manually by navigating through the Settings menu to System and Software Update before tapping 'Check for Updates'.

The new update should introduce 36 changes to the Tactix 8, including 6 new features. Moreover, System Software 22.35 is said to resolve dozens of bugs that were present in previous stable firmwares. Please see Garmin's forum post for more details. The full list of changes associated with the Tactix 8 is as follows:

• Added compatibility with Approach CT1 tags to track every stroke on any club.
• Adds golf performance glance.
• Adds navigation option to last Man Overboard point.
• Adds read and delivered status to messages in Messenger.
• Adds support for a silent mode that can be quickly accessed via the control loop or a button shortcut.
• Allows access to the keyboard layout menu via a swipe up from the bottom of the page.
• 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 excessive battery drain after using the phone assistant or accepting a phone call on the watch.
• 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 exit the map page during a route recalculation.
• 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 screen to incorrectly respond to touch after taking an ECG reading.
• 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 that could result in not being able to accept an incoming call on the watch.
• Fixes an issue where the gear tracking progress bar shown after an activity does not include the just-completed activity.
• Fixes an issue with Garmin Coach workouts sometimes failing to sync to the device.
• Fixes an issue with syncing strength personal records with Garmin Connect.
• Fixes battery estimates when switching power modes for activities.
• Fixes being able to access voice command, music, and voice notes apps during an active call.
• Fixes crash when using the map after using a Z10 or Z30.
• Fixes navigation ending when losing GPS signal or deviating from the course.
• Fixes night vision color shift not working.
• Fixes Outdoor Maps+ downloads not resuming after being interrupted.
• Fixes possible crash during activities with active LiveTrack.
• Fixes possible issue where the watch would no longer play the boot animation.
• 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.