Garmin has now moved the Vivoactive 6 and Venu 4 (curr. $549 on Amazon) onto a new development round. To recap, the company finalised v16.xx development last month with the release of Software Version 16.37. While it did not confirm as much at the time, Garmin has now issued v17.16 on its Beta Program.
Typically, Garmin releases new Vivoactive 6 and Venu 4 updates alongside equivalent Venu X1 firmware. That has not proven the case yet. However, we suspect that the Venu X1 will receive Beta 17.16 within the next day or so. In the meantime, Beta 7.16 provides an insight into what to expect from that update once it arrives on the Venu X1.
For instance, the Vivoactive 6 and Venu 4 share a 24-line changelog with 19 bug fixes. Additionally, the Vivoactive 6 has received support to turn vibration on or off for smart notifications. Meanwhile, the Venu 4 has gained 8 specific changes of its own. Both updates are rolling out now via Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM). One must install Beta 7.16 manually by navigating through the Main Menu to Settings, System, Software Update and then tapping ‘Check for Updates’ on a Beta Program-enrolled smartwatch.
Adds support for a silent mode that can be quickly accessed via the control loop or a button shortcut.Adds support for opening the battery manager app using a voice command.Fixes an issue that could cause excessive battery drain after using the phone assistant or accepting a phone call on the watch.Fixes an issue that could cause the screen to incorrectly respond to touch after taking an ECG reading.Fixes an issue where ending a call on the device could fail to end the call on the phone.Fixes an issue with Garmin Coach workouts sometimes failing to sync to the device.Fixes being able to access voice command, music, and voice notes apps during an active call.Updates the phone shortcut to open the phone app rather than the phone settings menu.Adds a setting to turn vibration on or off for smart notifications.
Vivoactive 6 & Venu 4 changelog
Allows access to the keyboard layout menu via a swipe up from the bottom of the page.Fixes a issue that could cause the device to reset when using WhatsApp on an iPhone.Fixes an issue that could cause an upcoming race event not to show on the device.Fixes an issue that could cause pool swim workouts to progress through active steps without interaction.Fixes an issue that could cause some activities to be missing as factors affecting the body battery.Fixes an issue that could cause the device to fail to mount as a mass storage device after connecting to an inReach device.Fixes an issue that could cause the device to receive auto lap alerts during a golf activity.Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when deleting a workout.Fixes an issue that could cause the tones for the rest timer countdown during strength workouts to sound out of rhythm.Fixes an issue that could result in a failure when uploading an activity file to Garmin Connect.Fixes an issue that could result in devices with many saved activity files to appear unresponsive at times.Fixes an issue where special characters are missing from some keyboards.Fixes an issue where the gear tracking progress bar shown after an activity does not include the just-completed activity.Fixes an issue with setting up Wi-Fi using Garmin Express.Fixes an issue with sports scores being blank if a team with no upcoming games is added.Fixes an issue with syncing strength personal records with Garmin Connect.Fixes double number entry when long pressing a button on the pinpad.Fixes nap alarm not stopping when exiting the page by palming.Fixes other minor bugs.Fixes watch face sunset/sunrise data fields not updating.Increases the length of time that goal animations are displayed.Updates translations.With a Garmin Golf subscription, adds premium features like green contour data, enhanced CourseView maps, and PlaysLike distance.GCM Translations – 3.80
Alex Alderson – Senior Tech Writer – 14614 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018
Prior to writing and translating for Notebookcheck, I worked for various companies including Apple and Neowin. I have a BA in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, which I have since converted to a Law Degree. Happy to chat on Twitter or Notebookchat.