The next quarterly public beta program has begun for the Fenix 7/Epix family, with the initial list of new features and changes being released. These features include features recently launched on the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 265, such as wrist-based Running Dynamics (no longer requiring a separate accessory), and from the FR965 specifically, Training Load Ratio. Remember that Garmin previously noted those are coming to the Forerunner 955 in a beta update as well. Beyond the dozen or so new features, there are also a slate of bug fixes, or simply ‘improvements’ around tweaks to existing features. The line between ‘new feature’ and ‘improvement’ is sometimes a bit blurry.
As a brief recap about Garmin’s quarterly firmware releases process:
A) They start in public beta, which typically lasts anywhere from 3-6 weeks
B) You have to register your device (free/quick/easy) to get public beta updates.
C) Garmin usually will make this ‘production’ at roughly the same time down the road
D) The public beta process is for many products at once, but the timing for each product differs slightly
E) Not all products receive the same updates
The other big thing to remember is that this is the first public beta cycle where all WiFi-enabled products will use the in-watch option to force a firmware update for beta-registered. Further, there are no more ‘Alpha’ builds. I covered these changes last week in this post.
In any case, with that out of the way, today’s update for the Fenix 7/Epix/Tactix 7/Enduro 2/Quatix 7 units includes the following new features and improvements:
Change log for version 13.09 (changes since v11.28, currently Live):
Add more apps/glances to power controls and hot keys.
Added 7 day sleep stage graph.
Added Apps category to activity/app list add flow.
Added calorie burn rate chart to post-activity summary.
Added flashlight strobe option to power controls. (Fenix 7X/Tactix 7/Enduro 2 only)
Added HRV Status 4-week historical graph.
Added HRV status data field to watch faces.
Added Load Ratio to Training Status.
Added more data field options to the hierarchical data page layout.
Added new activity stage landing page.
Added Obstacle Course Racing activity.
Added Workout Execution Score to post-activity summary.
Added Wrist Based Running Dynamics.
Improved battery estimates when flashlight is used in activity.
Improved compass smoothness on the compass page.
Improved Ski activity to now distinguish when you are on lifts versus skiing downhill.
Improvements to Altitude Acclimation.
It also includes the following bug-fixes, although, usually there’s even more bug fixes than those listed here. And obviously, since it’s a beta, it likely includes new bugs too. Think of that like a bonus feature.
Fixed Armenian font issue.
Fixed issue that would sometimes show the run timer as negative in Wakesports activities.
Fixed issue where Health Snapshot glance was unable to be added for Quatix watches.
Fixed issue where several Tides menu options wouldn’t appear.
Fixed issue where the max speed of Wakesports activities would sometimes be incorrect.
Fixed issue with custom power modes during activities.
Fixed issue with flashlight cadence mode not showing red flashes.
Fixed issue with Outdoor Maps + deactivation flow.
Fixed issue with Outdoor Maps+ after having cleared settings on the device.
Fixed map only touch setting prompt after a device reboot.
Fixed potential issue where tones would alert when they shouldn’t.
Fixed potential issue with resuming Outdoor Maps+ downloads.
Fixed potential issue with watch face accent color changing from white to something else.
Fixed potential shutdown when clearing smart notifications.
Fixed potential shutdown when viewing fitness age.
Fixed potential shutdown with Drill Start in Pool Swim.
Fixed Recovery Time discrepancy.
As for the new features list, virtually all of these have appeared on other devices at some point. For example:
Already launched on Forerunner 965 (and most on FR265 too):
Added 7 day sleep stage graph.
Added calorie burn rate chart to post-activity summary.
Added HRV Status 4-week historical graph.
Added HRV status data field to watch faces.
Added Load Ratio to Training Status.
Added new activity stage landing page.
Added Workout Execution Score to post-activity summary.
Added Wrist Based Running Dynamics.
For those that have already registered your device in the beta program, you can go ahead and download this immediately by going into the settings and doing a ‘Check for Updates” (Menu > System > Software Updates > Check for Updates):
Further, there’s more information here, including files to revert back to the current production version if you need to. And for those devices, those betas will launch in due time. Just a few weeks ago Fenix owners were all upset that the Forerunner 965 got new features before the Fenix 7/Epix, so now it’s the Forerunner owners’ turn to be upset the Fenix beta launched slightly ahead of the Forerunner side. See, balance of life thing to have everyone upset. Meanwhile, for Fenix 6 owners, obviously, the writing is unfortunately already on the wall there. Albeit, the current beta did add a few new features. However, Instinct 2 owners get some goods here, including Obstacle Course Activity profile.
Finally, as always, note that a beta is just that – beta software. It will have bugs, that’s the point of the beta program – to find those bugs. While it’s generally pretty stable, that’s not always the case. Further, don’t install it on your watch the night before your Ironman race or 18-hour non-stop ride. And always assume that somehow it’s probably going to kill your neighbor’s cat – problem is, you don’t actually know which neighbor. As long as you set those expectations accordingly, you’ll be good.
With that – thanks for reading!
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