Latest news with #ConnectIQ
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I test Garmins for a living and I install this free ConnectIQ watch face on all of them
It's easy to underestimate the importance of a great watch face on a sports watch, and given the dazzling AMOLED displays now available on the best Garmin watches in particular, it's worth spending some time considering what you want to see on your wrist 90% of the time. The range of preset watch faces on Garmin devices is OK, but when I'm testing them over several weeks or months, I find I get bored of the stock options available, which is when I turn to the Connect IQ app store for more watch faces. There are a couple of standout options in the app store, one being GB Fenix8 Like PRO that lets you bring the standard watch face from the Garmin Fenix 8 to other devices, which costs $4.99 (there is a limited free version as well). My favorite face at the moment is completely free, however. It's called Segment34 Mk II and is available on most Garmin devices, even including the new Garmin Venu X1. I've been using the face on both the Venu X1 and Garmin Forerunner 970 during my long-term testing of both watches; here's why I like it so much. While the Segment34 watch face doesn't necessarily offer more style than standard Garmin faces, its simple layout is visually-appealing and allows you to see a lot of stats clearly at the same time. Packing a lot of data onto a watch face without it looking unpleasantly cluttered is not easy and it's something I think a lot of the faces in the Connect IQ app store get wrong. This face shows your stats but has enough space around them to look organized and clear. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Even when the display is dimmed, the Segment34 face shows the time clearly thanks to the large, bright numbers, so you don't have to turn your wrist to see it. This is a failing of many faces on AMOLED watches, which are too dim to read the time without turning your wrist, especially when outdoors. You can also customize some stats that show on the always-on display, so I have the temperature on there, for example. Speaking of customization… Garmin does offer more customization of its standard watch faces than most sports brands, but the Segment34 face goes a step further in allowing you to adjust almost every element of it. There are preset colors, which I stick with, but you can customize these to your exact preferences if you like, and you can change the style of the numbers as well. You can then choose the exact stats you want across the entire watch face, to the point where I ended up running out of stats I wanted to show and hid those areas to have more blank space on the face. If you like complete control over what you see when you flick your wrist, this watch face is for you. Active calories is a stat available on Garmin watches, but on the preset faces you can only see total calories burned each day. I don't find this stat useful because it includes 'resting calories' that are set at around 2000kcals burned per day automatically, which is a rough estimate and feels low for me based on tests I've done as well as online calculators. As a keen runner I monitor my active calories fairly closely during marathon training to make sure I eat enough to offset what I burn so I don't lose weight, and having this stat on show is more useful that total calories. If you go hunting for new watch faces in the Connect IQ app store then you have to be wary of increased battery drain when using third-party apps, especially when using the always-on setting with AMOLED watches. I've found that with the Segment34 watch face I've maintained the same battery life on the Forerunner 970 and Venu X1 as when using standard Garmin presets, so you can rest easy on that front.
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Business Standard
10-07-2025
- Business Standard
Garmin smartwatches gets Google Maps support with turn-by-turn navigation
Garmin has announced that select models of its smartwatches now support the Google Maps app, allowing users to access navigation features directly from their wrist. After setting a destination on Google Maps using an Android smartphone, users will receive turn-by-turn guidance on their Garmin watch while engaging in activities such as walking, cycling, or running. The app is available for free through Garmin's ConnectIQ store and is compatible with certain versions of the Venu, Forerunner, Vívoactive, and Fenix lineups. Navigation and fitness tracking In a blog post, Garmin's Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing, Susan Lyman, said, 'The turn-by-turn notifications will be a game changer for those who want to stay hands-free and keep their phone in their pocket.' With this integration, Garmin smartwatches now deliver turn-by-turn navigation alerts using subtle vibrations, enabling users to follow routes without needing to look at their phone. This feature can be especially useful in crowded areas or when crossing streets. The app can also display the next three turns with a simple tap, providing better situational awareness during movement. The navigation functionality remains active while the watch continues to track fitness data. Whether users are running, walking, or biking, they can receive directions while monitoring metrics such as distance, heart rate, and more. Deeper integration with Health Connect Availability While Garmin has not provided a full list of supported models, users can check the ConnectIQ store to determine compatibility with their device. Although Garmin wearables have long supported third-party navigation tools, the inclusion of Google Maps offers a familiar and reliable alternative, especially for users already within the Android ecosystem.
Android Authority
09-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google Maps comes to Garmin watches, bringing turn-by-turn navigation to your wrist
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Garmin has released an official Google Maps for its smartwatches that offers turn-by-turn navigation when your smartwatch is connected to an Android phone. The app can show the next three turns and notify users of upcoming turns with a gentle vibration. The app is compatible with over 90 Garmin smartwatch models and is available for free on the Connect IQ store. Garmin users have long had to rely on third-party apps like Maps Nav to get turn-by-turn navigation from Google Maps on their smartwatches. That workaround is no longer necessary, as an official solution is finally here. Garmin's Connect IQ store now offers a Google Maps app compatible with a wide range of Garmin smartwatches, including several Venu, Forerunner, Vivoactive, and Fenix models. Unlike the Google Maps app for Wear OS, Garmin's Google Maps app offers limited functionality, offering basic turn-by-turn navigation after you set your destination on your connected Android phone. Garmin says the app can show the next three turns with a tap, eliminating the need to pull out your phone for directions. It also gently vibrates to notify you of an upcoming turn to avoid distractions. The company adds that your smartwatch will continue to record your walking, running, or biking data while you're using Google Maps for navigation, and you can sync the activity data from Garmin Connect to other health and fitness apps via Health Connect. The Google Maps app currently only works with Android phones, and there's no official word on iOS compatibility yet. If you'd like to try it out, you can download it for free from the Connect IQ store. The app supports over 90 Garmin smartwatch models, and you can check the Compatible Devices list on the listing to see if your smartwatch is included. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Mint
09-07-2025
- Mint
Google Maps arrives on Garmin smartwatches, bringing turn-by-turn navigation to your wrist
Garmin has announced that a free Google Maps app is now available directly on its range of smartwatches, bringing live turn-by-turn navigation to users' wrists for the first time. With this integration, anyone wearing a compatible Garmin smartwatch can follow directions in real time without needing to pull out a smartphone, making it especially helpful for outdoor workouts or traveling somewhere in the city. The Google Maps experience on Garmin smartwatches is not as complete as Wear OS. You won't be able to search for places right from your wrist. Instead, you'll pick your destination on the Google Maps app on your Android smartphone, which needs to stay connected nearby. When you start your navigation, the watch shows you each turn in real time the same way it does in Apple Watch. According to Garmin's Connect IQ listing, there's no mention yet of support for iPhones or iOS. Google Maps connects your Garmin watch to your Android phone. Once paired, starting navigation in Google Maps automatically mirrors the route on your watch screen. Turn prompts and distance to the next move is clearly shown on the screen as you can easily see it while cycling, running or walking. If you leave the planned route or if you take a wrong turn by mistake the app will recalculate the direction and update you about it right away. Commuters can avoid checking their phones in traffic or crowded areas. Cyclists can keep both hands on the handlebars while following directions. Hikers or trail runners get constant guidance without draining phone battery. Anyone navigating a new city can discreetly check progress at a glance. To make it easier for all to follow along, Garmin says the smartwatch will gently vibrate when the new turn is coming up, so that you do not have to check the screen every time while running or cycling. You can also tap the display to preview your next three turns in advance. While you navigate, the watch continues tracking your walking, running, or biking activities as usual. Google Maps is now available in the Garmin Connect IQ Store and works with more than 90 smartwatch models. This new feature is rolling out to recent devices like the Venu, Forerunner, and Fenix series. Garmin owners will need an Android phone to start navigation, but after setup, the experience stays mostly hands-free.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Garmin smartwatches add turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps
Google Maps app arrives to the Connect IQ Store, providing directions on the wrist OLATHE, Kan., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the Google Maps app is now available for free in the Connect IQ™ Store, providing simple, turn-by-turn directions on compatible Garmin smartwatches, including select Venu®, Forerunner®, vívoactive® and fenix® products. After users input a destination into Google Maps on their Android™ smartphone, the app will send notifications to their watch, letting them know about each upcoming turn while they walk, run or cycle. "Whether exploring a new city, mapping out a run or casually cycling with friends, the Google Maps app in the Connect IQ store will keep users going in the right direction. The turn-by-turn notifications will be a game changer for those who want to stay hands-free and keep their phone in their pocket."–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing For pedestrians For those who prefer to walk to their destination, Google Maps provides on-the-go directions that gently vibrate their Garmin smartwatch to keep users from having to look down at their phones while crossing the street or maneuvering through a crowd. And for even greater awareness, simply tap into the app to see the next three turns. For fitness fanatics Users can still record walks, runs or bike rides on their Garmin smartwatch while using Google Maps, allowing them to track distance, heart rate and more, while also getting notified when it's time to make a turn along the route. Once they arrive at their destination, users can sync their activity data from Garmin Connect to other Android health and fitness apps via Health Connect, providing them with more tools and flexibility than ever before. The Google Maps app is available now in the Connect IQ Store and is free to download. The Connect IQ Store is an all-in-one source for Garmin customers looking to personalize their compatible Garmin devices. With thousands of options to choose from, users can download apps, watch faces, music streaming services and more right to their device. The Connect IQ Store is accessible through the Google Play and Apple App Store. For more information, email our media team or connect with us on LinkedIn. For developers interested in creating on-device applications for Garmin customers around the world, visit the Connect IQ developer site. About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark and Connect IQ is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Google Maps is a trademark of Google LLC. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983), and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). Copies of such Form 10-K and Form 10-Q are available at No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. MEDIA CONTACTS:Brianna Silverman and Natalie View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Garmin International, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
