Garmin is releasing a new update to a number of smartwatches that have improved a lot

Now Garmin has moved the Vivoactive 6 and Venu 4 (curr. $549 at Amazon) to a new round of updates. To reiterate, the company completed development of v16.xx last month with the release of Software Version 16.37. Although it didn’t confirm much at the time, Garmin has already released v17.16 in its Beta Program.

Normally, Garmin releases new updates for Vivoactive 6 and Venu 4 along with the same firmware for Venu X1. That fact has not proven that fact. However, we suspect that the Venu X1 will receive Beta 17.16 in the next day or so. Meanwhile, Beta 7.16 gives a glimpse of what to expect from the update once it hits the Venu X1.

For example, Vivoactive 6 and Venu 4 share a 24-line display with 19 error corrections. In addition, Vivoactive 6 has received support for turning on or off vibration for smart notifications. Meanwhile, Venu 4 has received 8 changes of its own. Both updates continue with Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM). One must manually install Beta 7.16 by navigating through the Main Menu to Settings, System, Software Update and then tapping ‘Check for Updates’ on a smartwatch registered with the Beta Program.

• Adds support for silent mode that can be quickly accessed via a control loop or button shortcut.
• Adds support for opening the battery management app with a voice command.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the battery to drain excessively after using the phone assistant or receiving a call on the watch.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the screen to respond incorrectly when manipulated after reading an ECG.
• Fixes an issue where hanging up on a device would fail to hang up on the phone.
• Fixes an issue with Garmin Coach Workouts sometimes failing to connect to the device.
• Improvements to being able to access voice command, music, and voice memo tools during an active call.
• Updates the phone shortcut to open the phone app instead of the phone settings menu.

• Adds settings to enable or disable vibration for smart notifications.

Vivoactive 6 & Venu 4 changelog

• Allows access to the keyboard layout menu by swiping up from the bottom of the page.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the app to crash when using WhatsApp on iPhone.
• Fixed an issue that could cause an upcoming race event to not appear on the device.
• Fixed an issue that could cause pool swimming exercises to proceed with active steps without interaction.
• Fixed an issue that could cause some functions to be missing as physical battery issues.
• Fixes an issue that could cause a device to fail to be configured as a mass storage device after connecting an inReach device.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the device to receive auto lap warnings during golf.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the app to restart when deleting an exercise.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the countdown sounds during strength exercises to sound out of rhythm.
• Fixes an issue that could cause a failure when uploading an activity file to Garmin Connect.
• Fixes an issue that could cause devices with many saved files to appear unresponsive at times.
• Fixes an issue where special characters are missing on some keyboards.
• Fixed an issue where the resource fetch progress bar was displayed after an action that did not include the most recently completed task.
• Fixes an issue with setting up Wi-Fi using Garmin Express.
• Fixes an issue where the match data is empty if a team with no upcoming matches is added.
• Fix the problem by syncing your records with Garmin Connect.
• Fixes double digit input when long pressing a button on the pinpad.
• Fixes the sleep alarm not stopping when you exit the page by scrolling.
• Fixed some minor bugs.
• Fixed sunset/sunrise face data fields not updating.
• Increases the length of time that target animations are displayed.
• Improves translations.
• With the Garmin Golf subscription, it adds valuable features like green contour data, updated CourseView maps, and a PlaysLike site.
• GCM versions – 3.80