Garmin releases new update to current high-end smartwatches with activity improvements and new Focus Mode power controls – NotebookCheck.net News
Garmin has issued a new update for the Fenix 8 and other associated smartwatches. Available to try on Garmin’s Beta Program, Beta Version 17.12 brings almost a dozen to the high-end smartwatches including four new features and important bug fixes.
Garmin is moving quickly with its latest round of beta development for smartwatches like the Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 (curr. $1,299.99 on Amazon). To recap, the company only issued Beta version 17.11 last week with 58 changes from its most recent stable update for the same smartwatches. Nonetheless, it is already issuing a replacement that brings even more improvements to the table.
This time, Garmin has delivered 11 changes which it has packaged as Beta Version 17.12. On the one hand, the new update features 6 bug fixes, including one that should prevent UI slowdowns after saving an activity. On the other hand, the new beta update adds four new features like Focus Mode power controls and resting heart rate insights on the heart rate widget.
Like Beta Version 17.11 before it, Beta Version 17.12 will not be automatically issued to Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 smartwatches enrolled on Garmin’s Beta Program. Instead, one must request the firmware package manually by navigating through Menu, System and Software Update on your smartwatch before tapping ‘Check for Updates’. Please see Garmin’s forum post for more details. The full changelog for Beta Version 17.12 is as follows:
- Added Focus Mode Power Controls.
- Added Rest Countdown to Strength Activities.
- Added Resting Heart Rate Insight to Heart Rate Widget.
- Added Temperature Sensor Page.
- Fixed Garmin Coach Glance Not Showing Second Scheduled Workout After Completing the First Workout.
- Fixed Goal Alerts Playing Before the Post Activity Summary.
- Fixed Music Volume Page Not Updating.
- Fixed Sluggish UI After Saving Activity.
- Fixed Text Formatting Issue on Double Time Watch Face.
- Fixed Wind Direction Changing When Connecting to a LRF.
- Improvements to Evening Report Greeting Page on MIP Devices.
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Alex Alderson – Senior Tech Writer – 12658 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018
Prior to writing and translating for Notebookcheck, I worked for various companies including Apple and Neowin. I have a BA in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, which I have since converted to a Law Degree. Happy to chat on Twitter or Notebookchat.
Alex Alderson, 2025-06-30 (Update: 2025-06-30)
