Your Garmin watch gets a big new update but only | Tech News

The Apple Watch might rule tech press headlines (and smartwatch gross sales charts) but in case you are actually into your working and fitness, likelihood is you’ve gotten a Garmin smartwatch strapped to your wrist. These units offer fewer apps than Apple or Samsung watches but typically present more intricate health knowledge and for much longer battery life.

Available at a vary of costs, most Garmin watches will precisely monitor your runs, cycles or swims because of built-in GPS, with screens which might be designed to save lots of battery as a lot as doable so that you don’t should charge each night time.

Pricier Garmin watches are utilized by mountaineers and adventurers and even militaries, and are half of the rationale why Apple launched its £799 Apple Watch Ultra.

But in comparison with Apple or Android-based watches, there aren’t many third-party apps on Garmin watches. Though you possibly can load up Spotify playlists and pay with choose banks utilizing Garmin Pay, you’re in any other case fairly restricted.

That could possibly be altering although, as Garmin has introduced the Google Maps app is now obtainable without cost in its Connect IQ Store, the place Garmin customers can obtain apps from.

Now obtainable for choose Garmin Venu, Forerunner, Vívoactive and Fenix watches, the firm mentioned in a press release the app produces “simple, turn-by-turn directions”.

After you’ve enter instructions in your cellphone Garmins says the app will ship notifications to your watch to let you recognize when to make a flip, whether or not you’re strolling, working or biking.

“Whether exploring a new city, mapping out a run or casually cycling with friends, the Google Maps app in the Connect IQ store will keep users going in the right direction,” mentioned Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing. “The turn-by-turn notifications will be a game changer for those who want to stay hands-free and keep their phone in their pocket.”

This sounds great, but it’ll only be a recreation changer in case you own an Android cellphone. Garmin has only made Google apps obtainable to these with Android, leaving iPhone utilizing Garmin house owners out of luck.

So, when you’ve got a Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Honor, Sony or different Android cellphone and a Garmin watch, it’s best to be capable to get Google Maps working in your wrist immediately.

“Users can still record walks, runs or bike rides on their Garmin smartwatch while using Google Maps, allowing them to track distance, heart rate and more, while also getting notified when it’s time to make a turn along the route,” Garmin mentioned.

“Once they arrive at their destination, users can sync their activity data from Garmin Connect to other Android health and fitness apps via Health Connect, providing them with more tools and flexibility than ever before.”