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| Garmin's latest Forerunner 970 update should improve workout options. |
It has been a quiet few weeks for Garmin’s mid-range running lineup. Over a month has passed since the company pushed a stable update to the Forerunner 570 or the feature-packed Forerunner 970 (curr. $714.99 on Amazon). In the typical software lifecycle, we would usually be hearing whispers of a major new version entering beta testing. However, instead of moving on to a shiny new v17.xx branch, Garmin is doubling down on polishing the current generation.
The company has officially released Public Beta Version 16.37 for both devices, signaling that while new features aren't on the menu just yet, stability and performance are the top priorities.
How to Get the Update
Garmin claims the update has been rolled out to all eligible smartwatches enrolled in the Beta Program. However, if your Forerunner has been silent and you haven't seen a notification pop up yet, you don't have to wait. You can manually trigger the download by diving into the settings menu. Simply navigate to: Menu > Settings > System > Software Update, then tap 'Check for Updates'. Your watch should immediately begin pulling down the latest Public Beta Version 16.37.
What’s Inside the New Beta?
While the absence of flashy new features might disappoint some, the changelog for this release reads like a quality-of-life wishlist for users who have been experiencing technical hiccups.
According to Garmin, the new beta contains over half a dozen improvements. The headline fix addresses a long-standing annoyance for athletes who rely on audio feedback: Garmin has patched a potential crash when using headphones. This glitch appears to have been plaguing many smartwatches across the lineup lately, so seeing a dedicated fix is a relief for those who stream music or listen to audio prompts mid-run.
Additionally, the update tackles a more niche but critical bug for gym-goers. It resolves an issue that caused a system crash when using the HIIT activity. There is nothing worse than your watch freezing mid-interval, and this patch should ensure your high-intensity workouts go uninterrupted.
For the navigation enthusiasts, Garmin has also tweaked the software to improve course planner performance. While the wording is vague, this usually translates to smoother map rendering and faster recalculations when you stray off the beaten path.
Here is the full breakdown of changes included in the jump from v16.28 to Public Beta v16.37:
- Fixes a potential crash when using headphones.
- Fixes a potential crash when using the HIIT activity.
- Fixes an issue where only one goal alert is shown per day.
- Fixes other minor bugs.
- Improves course planner performance.
- Updates translations.
The Road Ahead
The fact that Garmin is persisting with the v16.xx development cycle suggests that the engineering team is focused on building a rock-solid foundation before moving on to the next major iteration. For Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 users, this Public Beta 16.37 is a safe bet if you have been experiencing any of the crashes mentioned—though remember, beta software, even public versions, can sometimes carry unknown risks.
For the latest discussions and user reports regarding this release, you can check out the official Garmin forums for the Forerunner 970 and the Forerunner 570.
If you prefer to wait for the stable release, you can keep an eye on the current pricing and availability of the Forerunner 970 over at Amazon.
Source(s): Garmin (1), (2)