Garmin teases major stable update release for high-end smartwatches with dozens of new features and other improvements

It looks like Garmin is finally preparing to release a new stable update that takes in not just the Fenix E and Fenix 8 but also the newer Fenix 8 Pro (curr. $1,199.99 on Amazon). Also set to be offered for the Enduro 3 and Tactix 8, the update will be the culmination of around six weeks of public beta development that started with Beta Version 20.07.

For context, the company last issued a major stable update in mid-August. Offered as System Software 17.28 with over 100 bug fixes, new features and other improvements, Garmin quickly replaced the update with System Software 17.30 to address a few outstanding bugs. As far as we can tell, the next stable update for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro and Tactix 8 should contain around 89 improvements over System Software 17.30, including almost two-dozen dedicated to the Fenix 8 Pro alone.

Currently, Garmin claims to have offered Beta Version 20.19 to all eligible Beta Program participating smartwatches with Aviation, Dive and ECG features enabled. Therefore, we would expect the company to transition this build to its stable software division within the next few days at the latest. In other words, do not be surprised if Garmin begins offering System Software 20.19 or an equivalent before the end of the week. The full changelog between System Software 17.30 and Beta Version 20.19 is as follows:

• Added 'LTE Standby' pop up in an activity when LTE is disabled automatically for power savings. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added a spinner to the Messenger conversation list when a message in the conversation is still sending. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added ability to react to Messenger messages with any reaction using the emoji keyboard. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added an activity data field option for LTE signal strength. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added an Image Viewer for pictures received through Messenger For Wearables, which allows users to pan and zoom images. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added Automatic Touch Lock Unlock if Touch Is On for Strength Reps Screen.
• Added Cycling Vo2 Max Watch Face Complication.
• Added Health Status.
• Added Hot Key Support for the Calculator.
• Added Inline Skating Compatibility for Custom Workouts.
• Added Support for GPI Files.
• Added Touch Access to Keyboard Layout Menu via Drag.
• Fixed a potential crash when manually ending Sleep.
• Fixed Accessing Activity Status Menu With Buttons During Activity.
• Fixed Altitude Appearing As Jumpy at High Altitudes.
• Fixed an Issue Where the Month in the Date on the Watch Face Was Not Being Properly Translated.
• Fixed Auto Triggered Setting Not Correctly Restoring After Backup and Restore.
• Fixed Being Unable To See Headset Details Once Connected.
• Fixed Black Screen After Tapping Back Button From the Music Screen During an Activity.
• Fixed Choosing Walk in Multisport Workout Custom Option Causing Other Activity Types to Dissappear.
• Fixed Controls Menu Not Updatring When Phone Connection Is Lost.
• Fixed Course Points and Climb Pro Not Showing After Resuming an Activity When Navigating.
• Fixed Crash When Switching CIQ Music Provider.
• Fixed Device Showing Storm Alerts When Swimming.
• Fixed Down Key Not Dismissing Training Alerts During Activities.
• Fixed Flashlight Strobe Not Stopping After Pausing Activity.
• Fixed Folder Glance Preview Units Not Updating When Folder Contents Change.
• Fixed Headphones Not Disconnecting When Using ECG.
• Fixed Incorrect Text on the Moon Widget Glance.
• Fixed Indoor Climb Activity Not Locking Buttons When in an Active Split.
• Fixed issue where 'Unlink' option in Messenger would display when the device is already unlinked. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where a Messenger notification could push on top of the Preparing Update page. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where a Messenger voice message could record longer than 30 seconds. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where a Messenger voice message would not start recording immediately. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where Messenger Calls would not show disconnected from phone when there is no active subscription. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue with 'Auto LTE Standby' pop up displaying when disabling LTE. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed Lag Caused by the Health Snapshot Glance.
• Fixed Lag When Starting an Activity.
• Fixed Lag When Swiping the Morning Report Greeting Page.
• Fixed Maximum Active Timers Message Showing When Starting Timer.
• Fixed Meditation Activity Button Behavior.
• Fixed MIP Back Light Not Turning Off After Using Weixin Pay.
• Fixed MIP Background Color Not Updating When Updated on the Navigation Course Details and Elevation Plot Pages.
• Fixed Morning Report Showing Old All Day Events.
• Fixed Muting Swim Pacing Alert Not Working.
• Fixed Outdoor Maps Plus Download Map Menu Showing a Black Screen.
• Fixed Outdoor Maps Plus Layer Selection Page Not Pulling In Location Until the Map Is Shown.
• Fixed POI Search Showing As City Search in the Add Location Menu.
• Fixed Possible Crash When Editing Activity Focus Mode Display Settings.
• Fixed possible crash when exiting Messenger app. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where a Messenger call would not transfer to headphones. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where Auto LTE would not disable when an internet connection through a paired phone is restored. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where LTE & Satellite Status could unexpectedly show 'Disabled. (Fenix 8 Pro only)'
• Fixed possible issue where LTE quick control would show 'Using Phone' when no phone is connected. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where the cancel button on the 'Use Satellite/Keep Trying LTE' prompt would not immediately cancel messages. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where the Messenger Calls timer does not start at 0:00. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed Reordering and Removing the First Data Screen of a Hunt Activity.
• Fixed Run Coach Plan With Strength Workouts Not Marking Completed Strength Workouts As Completed in the Plan Details.
• Fixed Running Performance Glance Showing the Wrong VO2 Max.
• Fixed Screen Turning Off When Doing a Down Gesture When Recording ECG.
• Fixed Smart Notifications Not Working When Connected to Android Devices.
• Fixed Straight Line Route Created When Creating a Course Using Locations on the Map Menu.
• Fixed the Battery Icon Being Cut Off on the Enduro 2 Watch Face.
• Fixed the Inreach Widget Not Automatically Adding After Pairing With an Inreach Device.
• Fixed Tide Alerts Going Off During Sleep Window.
• Fixed Total Body Circuit 5 Workout Showing the Wrong Rep Count.
• Fixed Touch Lock Control Not Toggling When Do Not Disturb Is On.
• Fixed Touch Screen Remaining On During a Swim Activity as a Part of a Multisport Activity.
• Fixed Vibration and Tone Setting Missing From Devices Without a Speaker.
• Fixed Voice Alert Frequency Settings Not Working.
• Fixed Voice Not Stopping When Adjusting Volume.
• Fixed Wallet Pin Timeout Screen Allowing Users To Bypass Timer.
• Fixed Watch Face Battery Field To Update Faster When the Flashlight Is Turned On.
• Fixed Weather Icons on MIP Watch Faces Not Showing Night Icons at Night.
• Fixed Workout Steps Possibly Showing the Wrong Equipment.
• Fixed WX Radar Short Cut Not Working for Tactix.
• Improved ability to select the voice message icon when replying to a Messenger message. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved Messenger Calls when there are no saved contacts to prompt the user to open the Messenger mobile app and add contacts. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved sizing of the satellite icon on the compass page on the NTN pointer. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved snapping of the NTN satellite bubble in and out of target circle on the NTN pointer. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved Watch Face Selection Menu Scrolling.
• Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements.
• Removed possible pop ups which could appear over a SOS conversation thread (touch lock icon, activity stopped border, etc.) (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Removed the Ability To Wrap From 0 to 999 in the Strength Reps Menu.
• Removed the Ability To Wrap From the Top of the Activity Pause Menu to the Bottom.
• Updated Activity Stage Menu Highlight Color To Match the Activity Type.
• Updated Flashlight Indicator To Turn Off As Soon as the Light Turns Off.
• Updated Multisport Activities To Allow Long Hold on the Lap Key To Change the Sport.
• Updated the Navigation Preview Page To Show the Total Distance Remaining on the Course.