In a surprising twist, Garmin has announced a new update for some of its older mid-range smartwatches, breathing new life into devices you might have thought were past their prime. This update, currently available as a beta release, is expected to soon reach all eligible models as a stable version.
Garmin is known for regularly updating its latest smartwatches, but older models often fall by the wayside as new generations emerge. For instance, the Fenix 6 series enjoyed regular updates throughout 2022 and 2023, but these have become scarce lately. Similarly, the Forerunner series, with the latest version being the Forerunner 165, hasn’t seen much software activity lately. However, Garmin has surprised many by issuing new beta updates for the Forerunner 45 series, which is now between four and five years old. It’s important to note that this new patch isn’t available for the Forerunner 45 or Forerunner 45s, as these devices have been dropped from Garmin’s Beta Program.
The latest Beta Version 13.40 is specifically for the Forerunner 245, Forerunner 745, and Forerunner 945, as well as their Music variants. According to Garmin’s changelog, this update includes just two changes but marks the first update for these models in over a year. The update addresses an issue with pairing to the inReach Messenger, as well as a glitch with time display once a Strength activity surpasses an hour. Furthermore, the update includes Sensor Hub 18.04, though Garmin hasn’t disclosed the specific improvements it brings, nor has it announced when this beta will reach stable status.
This unexpected update is a pleasant surprise for owners of these older models, showcasing Garmin’s commitment to enhancing user experience even for devices that have been around for a few years. Keep an eye on your device for this update, as it promises to resolve some persistent issues and potentially improve overall performance.
