Garmin is rolling out a significant software update, version 12.70, for its Forerunner 970 and 570 series smartwatches. This update introduces a host of new features and improvements designed to enhance the user experience, from daily health tracking to detailed sports performance analysis. Users can expect better functionality, greater customization, and a more stable operating system with this new release.
New Features for a Smarter Workout
This update brings several key additions to help users optimize their training. For runners, the new track run daily suggested workouts provide tailored guidance for track-based training. The update also introduces an automatic rest timer in strength activities, which helps automate the tracking of rest periods between sets. To provide a more accurate picture of performance, personal records will now be based on elapsed time, offering a more precise measurement of an activity from start to finish. Additionally, the new running tolerance watch face data field allows runners to monitor this metric at a glance.
Enhanced Health and Daily Reports
Garmin has focused on making daily health tracking more insightful and personalized. The new gentle, early alarm, which can be set up to 30 minutes before your scheduled wake-up, uses your sleep quality to determine the best time to wake you up. Daily reports have also received a significant overhaul. The evening report now includes new recap messages and a bedtime recommendation, offering a comprehensive summary of your day and personalized advice for a better night’s sleep. Users can also now start a race directly from their morning report, streamlining the pre-race routine.
User Interface and Stability Improvements
Beyond new features, the update addresses numerous bugs and performance issues. Several fixes target issues that could cause the device to reboot or result in sluggish performance. Problems with display corruption and graphical glitches have been resolved, ensuring a smoother user experience. The update also improves the reliability of optical heart rate measurement and addresses an issue with elevation chart spikes. Furthermore, the phone assistant and voice command functions are now more stable, with fixes for issues related to notifications and muting during calls.
For those who want to get the update manually, it can be downloaded by navigating to the following path on the device: Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.
