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We've sung the praises of Garmin smartwatches time and time again. Not only do you get a device that tracks your health and fitness metrics well, but it also offers some of the best battery life you'll find on a wearable.
Garmin smartwatches feel so polished because the first-party apps are just that good. And while the brand advertises that you can download new apps from the Connect IQ Store, navigating the sea of horrendous options will make you think twice.
Now, with a new Connect IQ update, there's a chance that Garmin app developers will be able to create better experiences. Android Authority reports that the latest 9.3.0 update provides developers access to the microphone and speaker on supported devices.
It's a start
Just by looking at the support page, you won't see any of this listed. You'll need to go into the API Documentation to see these changes. If you're not familiar with navigating the API Documentation on the website, Garmin Rumors has a fantastic breakdown of what's going on.
The microphone can be used to record audio in WAV or Ogg in stereo or mono, with noise and echo cancellation. Because this is Garmin, it sets some boundaries to keep things in order, like limiting recording to when the app is on-screen, and a watch can't use this feature.
In addition, an API allows third-party developers to use the built-in speaker on a compatible watch. There's also new access to LTE, which could be an interesting twist if used creatively. As for compatibility, Garmin Rumors lists the Fenix 8, Fenix 9, and Fenix E.
Furthermore, it also includes the Forerunner 70, 170, 570, and 970. The Venu 4, X1, and Vivoactive 6, along with the D2, Enduro 3, Enduro 4, and other top-end models. It's a pretty precise list, with most being newer or higher-end models.
Again, this is brand-new, so we don't expect anything new to pop up today, but over time, third-party developers could find interesting ways to use these new APIs.
It needs to do better
For the most part, I don't think you'll need to dip into the Connect IQ Store in order to get new apps for your Garmin smartwatch because the experience is pretty complete. I checked it out just out of curiosity, and I was surprised by what I saw.
It felt like I was stepping back in time and made me recall the experience I used to have with Symbian phones. Yes, it really is that clunky, and the app selection leaves a lot to be desired. This is probably one of the biggest differences when compared to Wear OS or the Apple Watch.
Both app stores are so polished that you start to take it for granted. Of course, it's not entirely the fault of Garmin third-party developers; the brand is known for locking down what it provides access to, and that can be detrimental to creativity. We've even seen the store flooded with low-effort apps produced using AI.