Health SDK vs Connect IQ SDK

To get the real-time data on steps, stress, HR, SPO2 data in a phone app you will want to use the Health SDK which can link up to and access the native data in the watch.  This will allow you to develop only a phone app to get access to the native watch data allowed by the SDK.

The ConnectIQ SDK will allow an phone app to link up with a paired application running on the watch and exchange any type of custom data you wish to pass between the two application.  It could be the same data you are looking for, but it does require the development of both a device app, and a phone app. 

Hi Sabeard

Thanks for Quick response. 

1. My understanding from your comment is there is a Connect IQ SDK which to be used to share data between an App which is paired between Garmin werable (eg Garmin Connect) and other device App ( eg which we try to develop). is that right???

2. Is it possible to use both Health SDK and CIQ SDK in the MObile APP which we are tyring to develop?

3. May I know where could i find the versions developed and latest/on coming versions of Health SDK and announcement for Health SDK change logs?

Please clarify my basic doubts. sorry for pulling more info. I felt these are vital for development.

Let's see if I can clarify thing a bit more based on your specific questions.

1.  Let's first expand the terms a little to make sure things are clear.  The Connect IQ has two parts.  The first part is the "Connect IQ SDK" which is used to develop applications, watch face, widgets, or data fields which run on the watch or handheld device.  They have access to certain sensors depending on the hardware and version of Connect IQ running in the device firmware.  The second part is the Connect IQ Mobile SDK, which is separately available for Android and IOS.  With the Connect IQ Mobile SDK in the phone app and the communications module used in the application running on the device you can create a logical connection to pass messages between the app on the phone and the app on the device.  The information that can be passed between the two apps is determined you.  Keep in mind that you only can access the sensors and other information on the watch that is available in the Connect IQ SDK.  Things like HR, steps are easy.  daily stress is not available in Connect IQ.  SPO2 is available only on devices which have updated firmware to support the latest SDK version 3.2.x and have the sensor hardware.  When used this way, the device app will pull the available data from the watch and pass it to the your paired app without involving Garmin Connect.  The Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM) app is used but only to act as a message broker and to manage the BT connection to the device.

2. It should be possible to us have both the Health SDK and the Connect IQ Mobile SDK compiled into your mobile app.  Both will rely on GCM to manage the BT link to the device, but have very different functions in practice.  Without more detailed on what you are trying to do, I would think you only really need one or the other.  The basic summary is the Health SDK will let you access the real-time native data on the watch and does not need any other services or apps besides GCM being installed on the phone.  There is no need to install anything on the watch and the data is accessible before it is sent to Garmin Connect servers.  If you go the Connect IQ Mobile SDK, then you need to also develop an app to run on the watch which collects formats and shares the data with the phone.  One thing to be aware of with using the Connect IQ approach.  If you app on the device get turned off, the data collection stops.

3. For more details on the Health SDK. you can get an overview at this link.  In addition there is a button on the right hand side to request access to the SDK which will provide you access to all the documentation, release notes, and code to import into your app.

https://developer.garmin.com/health-sdk/overview/

Thanks for Brief and I was also doing analysis on various information which you shared. In this regard, I have few followup Questions

1. If there is a Connect IQ SDK available in watch , for eq,  i am using Venu Mercedes Benz version, Is it possible to create a separate App on my own with use of Connect IQ SDK & install within Venu Watch?

2. Is Garmin Watches (eg Venu . Foretunner, Vicosmrt 4)  has google wear OS within ,which was  developed based on Connect IQ SDK, so that I can access other Apps which supported through Google Wear OS.

3.  There is a clear information on data types supported with Health SDK as below but what are data types shared by Connect IQ SDK to Connect IQ Mobile SDK.

Standard SDK	Companion SDK
Supported Devices	vívofit® 3/4, vívosmart® 3/4, vívoactive® 3/4, vívomove® HR/3, vívosport®, Venu, Forerunner® series, fēnix® 5 series, fēnix® 6 series, Instinct®, tactix® Charlie, MARQ®*	vívosmart® 3/4, vívoactive® 3/4, vívomove® HR/3, vívosport®, Venu, Forerunner® series, fēnix® 5 series, fēnix® 6 series, Instinct®, tactix® Charlie, MARQ®
Data types	Steps Calories Distance Sleep Intensity Minutes Floors Climbed Heart Rate Stress Fitness Activity Details Move IQ Events Motion Intensity Pulse Ox Body Battery Respiration	Heart Rate Stress Beat-to-Beat Intervals Accelerometer Pulse Ox Respiration Current values for steps, calories, intensity minutes, and floors climbed

1) The CIQ SDK supports a whole bunch of devices, including the Venu Mercedes Benz version.  See this list: https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/compatible-devices/

2) Garmin watches do not run Google Wear OS.  Native activities, are not written in CIQ.

Hi Jim

Thanks for Quick Response

Still, Can you please reposind to me first Question

1. If there is a Connect IQ SDK available in watch , for eq,  i am using Venu Mercedes Benz version, Is it possible to create a separate App on my own with use of Connect IQ SDK & install within Venu Watch?

Thanks

Here is the direct answer to your question.  Yes you can.  The entire purpose of the ConnectIQ SDK is to write application which run on the watch.  That application can be a watchface, data field, widget, or application.  The differences between application types is described in the documentation provided with the SDK when you download it.  

Data types supported in the ConnectIQ SDK are as follows:

1. HR
2. Accelerometer
3. Current values for steps, intensity minutes, calories, and floors climbed
4. Beat to beat intervals*
5. Pulse Ox*

* Limited to certain devices based on the CIQ version the device supports.

These data types are the only types from Garmin Health that you can access natively in ConnectIQ.  There are other sensors you can connect with and access as well and you can code any other information you can calculate or determine how you want to support.  The basics of what you can do is in the documentation provided with the SDK and the details are in the API reference also in the SDK.

As far as building a CIQ apps for the Venu Mercedes Benz, yes you can build apps for it.  I have a number of apps I build that are compatible with that device.

For some basic understanding of CIQ, start with developer.garmin.com/.../

HI 

Last and Final Query, Where do i need to look for Connect Mobile IQ SDK? I can only get access with CIQ SDK.

thanks

The mobile SDK download links are at the bottom of the page where you download the ConnectIQ SDK.