“Ok, Garmin”: Garmin smartwatches receive new features with latest update

Garmin is rolling out a beta update for two recent smartwatches in its Forerunner lineup: the Forerunner 570 and the Forerunner 970 (on Amazon). Beta participants can already check for the update on their devices. At the moment, users are not yet being prompted to install the update automatically. The changelog is nearly identical for both models. A key addition is voice activation via the command “Ok, Garmin,” enabled by the built-in microphone. The update also introduces quick workout suggestions for runners.

Additional refinements include more frequent location updates for improved weather data accuracy. Garmin also addresses numerous bugs in version 18.12. The devices should no longer restart unexpectedly during or after shutdown, and several causes of crashes have been resolved. Issues related to navigation, starting multisport activities, and display errors have also been fixed. As usual, some minor changes are grouped under a general “Other Minor Issues” category, meaning not all fixes are explicitly listed.