Garmin Rolls Out Update for Smartwatches and Cycling Devices

Garmin has begun rolling out a significant software update for several of its popular smartwatches and cycling computers, introducing enhanced health monitoring and performance tools designed to provide users with deeper insights into their wellbeing and activities. The update, available starting November 20, 2025, affects devices including the Venu X1, Vivoactive 6, Fenix 8 series, Forerunner 570, and Forerunner 970 smartwatches, as well as select Edge 540, Edge 840, Edge 1050, and mountain bike cycling computers.

At the core of the update for smartwatches is the new Health Status feature, which analyzes key metrics collected during sleep, such as heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), respiration, skin temperature, and blood oxygen levels, known as Pulse Ox. The system compares these against a user's personal baseline to detect deviations that may signal increased stress on the body, potentially from intense training, inadequate recovery, environmental factors, or early signs of illness. Users can view these trends directly on their device or in the Garmin Connect app, where the feature remains in beta. Garmin officials described it as a tool to offer long-term insights...