Garmin flagship watches get a summer feature boost. Calculator, smart alarm, and news for runners added

Garmin is releasing a major software update for its flagship watches Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and surprisingly also for Fenix E. Public beta version 17.11 brings a huge number of new features, including smart alarm, improved morning and evening summaries, and a native calculator. Many of these features were previously only available on Forerunner 970 or the recently introduced Venu X1 watches.

Calculator and new control options

Among the most interesting additions is a native calculator, which can even calculate tip amounts and split the bill among multiple people. Garmin also adds the option to access the app list by swiping left from the watch face, significantly simplifying navigation in the user interface. For music lovers, new music player control options have been added, and communication is made easier with an emoji keyboard and additional QWERTY layouts.

Advanced sports and training features

Runners will appreciate support for Running Economy, Running Tolerance, and tracking Pace Loss in Steps. The watches now also offer adaptive training plans for triathlon and the option for custom multisport workouts. Another interesting new feature is the ability to include track running among the daily suggested workouts or a seamless display transition between road and track. Sleep enthusiasts will surely welcome the smart alarm function, which wakes you up in the optimal phase of your sleep cycle.

Complete list of new features

• Access app list by swiping left on watch face
• Calculator
• Custom focus modes
• Edit all previous sets during strength training
• Emoji keyboard
• Evening summary support
• Extended morning summary support
• Garmin notifications in notification center
• Golf rangefinder settings menu
• Japanese Kana keyboard
• More QWERTY keyboard layouts
• Multisport workout support
• Music options on music controls page
• New help dialogues for breathing variations
• Performance summary update
• Provisional target point support
• Race timer data field for sailing activities
• Running Economy support
• Running power on lactate threshold page
• Running Tolerance support
• Smart alarm
• Pace Loss in Steps tracking support
• Support for display transitions between track and road
• Tack assist page in sailing activities
• Thai keyboard
• Track running option for daily suggested workouts
• Adaptive triathlon training plan support
• Triathlon race event support

Which of the new features interests you the most?

Sources: Garmin Forums, DC Rainmaker