Multiple Garmin smartwatches get workout improvements with new update

Over a month has passed since Garmin issued a stable update to the Forerunner 570 or Forerunner 970 (curr. $714.99 on Amazon). Typically, the company would have started beta testing a major new software revision by now. However, that has not proven to be the case for either of these mid-range smartwatches.

Instead, Garmin has persisted with v16.xx development on its Beta Program. Now, the company has transitioned to Public Beta Version 16.37, which it claims to have offered to all eligible smartwatches. If, for whatever reason, your Forerunner 570 or Forerunner 970 has not received a notification to download the new update, then you can manually trigger Public Beta Version 16.37 by navigating through Menu, Settings, System, Software Update and then tapping 'Check for Updates'.

According to Garmin, the new beta contains over half a dozen improvements. While none are new features, one change should improve course planner performance. Additionally, Public Beta Version 16.27 should fix a potential crash when using headphones that appears to have affected many other smartwatches lately, too. Similarly, the new beta should address an issue that caused a system crash when using the HIIT activity. The full changelog between v16.28 and v16.37 is as follows:

• Fixes a potential crash when using headphones.
• Fixes a potential crash when using the HIIT activity.
• Fixes an issue where only one goal alert is shown per day.
• Fixes other minor bugs.
• Improves course planner performance.
• Updates translations.