Can Garmin Learn Some Tricks From Wear OS to Reach More Runners?
Garmin has carved a well-deserved reputation for creating some of the most robust fitness trackers and smartwatches in the market. From its sophisticated training metrics to its exceptional battery life, the brand has become the go-to choice for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers.
Yet, Garmin’s interface can feel overwhelming for those accustomed to the user-friendliness of Wear OS watches. I often hear complaints from colleagues and potential users who feel lost navigating the intricate menus and the somewhat confusing Garmin Connect app. While Garmin has made strides in recent years, it could benefit from incorporating some key features found in the world of Wear OS, without compromising its strengths.
Spread the Offline Voice Assistant Like Wildfire
The Garmin Fenix 8 made a leap forward by introducing Garmin’s first fully offline voice assistant. It’s a departure from the usual reliance on smartphone assistants. To access the feature, you simply hold down a button, utter a command (“Start a Cycling Workout,” “Open Spotify”). One thing is certain, the more accessible Garmin makes its voice assistant option, across the board, while maintaining its thoughtful design choices.
It might not be perfect, needing more recognized commands and improved speed, but it’s clear that voice assistants can improve user accessibility.
More Garmin Models could benefit from this feature, not just the Fenix or premium Venu lines. Think about the convenience for runners who want to start Spotify or check their last workout without fiddling with the buttons. Garmin doesn’t need to abandon those who prefer direct control, but offering options for everyone wouldn’t sacrifice its identity; it would enhance it.
Learn From Wear OS Tiles for Quick Access to Key Data
Yes, Garmin improved its user interface by streamlining its apps and adding a list view last year, which is a step in the right direction. But for those seeking rapid access to frequently used data, the Wear OS approach to “tiles” is a game-changer. These swipeable informative cards could offer weather, workout data, stats on training load and recovery, notifications and more – all without burying key information deep within menus.
Imagine this: swipe right to view a detailed weather forecast, swipe left to check your training load for the week. No need to dive into multiple menus just to navigate data most frequent users look for. For typical Garmin data, it’s all about choice. Dependent on display size app utilization, tile operation, Garmin should focus on frequently needed data points, and make navigation Apple Watch Lean towards data.
Embrace LTE Options in its Wearables
While some sports-focused smartwatches prioritize a longer battery life at the expense of connected features, more and more fitness enthusiasts are seeking truly connected watches. Allowing for more than just basic check-ins.
This could leave Garmin behind.
Many competitors like the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Ultra have adopted cellular connectivity as a standby feature. While I may not utilize LTE extensively on my Garmin, I understand the need for emergency support.Garmin offers cellular on a few flagships. But expanding this option to a wider range of smartwatches could unlock safety features that many runners would appreciate.
Imagine being able to send a check-in even when your phone dies. Or, for those with health concerns, having the ability to manually trigger an SOS which
