Garmin is currently releasing a new beta software update, version 15.16, targeting its popular Venu X1 and Vivoactive 6 smartwatches. This update focuses on enhancing overall stability, resolving several persistent bugs, and introducing a new feature aimed at improving health tracking visibility for users of both models. As a beta release, this software is primarily for users enrolled in the official testing program before a wider, stable rollout.
Key New Feature: Enhanced Health Tracking Glance
The most notable addition for both the Venu X1 and the Vivoactive 6 is the introduction of a new glance (a quick-view widget). This feature is designed to give users an immediate, consolidated view of their health data trends and overall wellbeing. Instead of digging into menus for individual stats, users can now quickly assess how various health metrics are fluctuating, offering a more intuitive way to monitor their body’s response to daily activities, stress, and recovery.
Venu X1: Specific Enhancements and Bug Fixes
The Venu X1, which features a speaker and microphone, receives a more extensive list of changes, particularly addressing communication and display issues. Users will find three brand-new watch faces to customize their display. Several critical fixes address audio and calling functionality, including resolving an issue that could cause the speaker to mute or the device to reboot when attempting to answer a phone call while music is playing through the speakers.
The update also smooths out several bugs related to notifications and reporting. It corrects a problem where the notification count on the watch face can be inaccurate and fixes an issue that prevents the useful evening report from appearing at the scheduled time. Furthermore, the update improves voice note functionality by reducing the initial ‘click’ sound and correcting a bug that could cause a voice note to replay at half speed. Stability is also boosted with a fix for unexpected device reboots when receiving multiple smart notifications rapidly. Finally, a minor security/convenience change now allows the device to be powered down without requiring a passcode.
Vivoactive 6: Stability and Reporting Corrections
The Vivoactive 6 receives a focused set of bug fixes designed to improve its day-to-day reliability. Like its counterpart, it gains the valuable new health and wellbeing glance. The fixes address common annoyances, including rectifying the issue where the notification badge number was sometimes incorrect and ensuring the evening report displays at the proper time. It also includes a crucial stability fix to prevent the device from rebooting upon receiving a quick succession of smart notifications. Similar to the Venu X1, the update enables the device to be powered off without entering a passcode, along with general performance tweaks and various minor bug resolutions.
How to Download the Beta Software
If you are already part of Garmin’s Beta Program, you can manually trigger the download of software version 15.16 directly on your Venu X1 or Vivoactive 6 smartwatch.
Follow these simple steps:
- Navigate to the Main menu on your watch.
- Select Settings.
- Choose System.
- Go to Software Update.
- Select Check For Updates.
Also Read:Â Garmin Smartwatch Vibration Issue on Android After Recent App Update
