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| Garmin's latest beta brings more changes to the Forerunner 570 than the Forerunner 970, latter pictured. |
While many tech companies are winding down for the holidays, Garmin is charging full speed ahead. Hot on the heels of a major update for its Fenix series, the fitness tech giant has now rolled out a substantial public beta for its popular Forerunner line, packing in over 30 enhancements aimed at serious athletes and everyday users alike.
The focus is on the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970, which have just received Public Beta Version 16.11. This kicks off the v16.xx development cycle and introduces a slew of new features, quality-of-life improvements, and crucial bug fixes. Currently, Garmin is managing this as a "pre-rollout," meaning it's not being pushed automatically to all beta testers just yet.
But if you're enrolled in the Garmin Beta Program and eager to get your hands on the latest software, you can manually check for it. Simply go to your watch's Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update and select 'Check for Updates'.
What’s New in Beta Version 16.11?
This update builds on Software Version 15.33 and brings several headline features. The most notable additions are a new Battery Manager glance for detailed power tracking, an enhanced sleep guidance glance that now offers ideal bedtime/wake time insights, and the introduction of timed workout training plans.
Here’s a breakdown of the key improvements:
For Forerunner 570 Owners Specifically:
- Adventure Race Profile: Direct support for multi-sport adventure racing.
- Voice-Command Navigation: Start your navigation hands-free with a voice command.
For Both Forerunner 570 & 970:
- Enhanced Training Tools: New training plans focused on timed and cardio workouts, more detailed course info (like cut-off times), and additional strength personal records.
- Deeper Health & Daily Insights: A new glance tracks how daily behaviors affect health metrics, a weight tracking glance is added, and the evening report now includes a floors climbed card.
- Smart Features & Customization: Downloadable apps (like one for recent WhatsApp messages), the new "Ripples" watch face, color filters for settings, and smarter notification handling during activities.
- Usability Fixes & Improvements: Significant fixes for issues ranging from slow app list loading and blank music screens during activities to incorrect audio prompts and excessive low-battery alerts from connected sensors. Pace tracking is also now more responsive.
For a complete, official list of all changes and to join the discussion with other testers, you can visit the Garmin Beta Forum announcements for the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970.
Why Beta Software Matters
Installing a beta update allows enthusiastic users to experience the latest features first and provide feedback that helps Garmin polish the final, stable release. However, it's important to remember that beta software can sometimes be unstable. Garmin recommends not installing it on your primary device if you are preparing for a critical race or event.
The Bottom Line for Runners
This update reinforces Garmin's commitment to its Forerunner series, blending advanced athletic features with holistic health tracking. The new Battery Manager and sleep insights show a focus on daily usability, while the refined training plans and course details cater to the data-driven athlete.
With the Forerunner 970 currently available on Amazon, this substantial software refresh adds even more value to an already feature-rich platform. It’s clear that even with Christmas around the corner, Garmin's software teams are still sprinting toward the finish line of this year's development cycle.