Hey everyone,
I've posted a formal feature request on the tracker asking for scoped GAP Broadcaster / BLE advertising support in `Toybox.BluetoothLowEnergy`: forums.garmin.com/.../feature-request-support-ble-gap-broadcaster-short-burst-advertising-in-toybox-bluetoothlowenergy
If you've developed remote control apps for action cameras (Insta360, GoPro) or certain smart bike lights/sensors, you've likely hit the same limitation. Modern action cameras save battery during long rides/runs by entering a deep-sleep state where they stop advertising any BLE services. Instead, their low-power auxiliary BLE radio passively scans for a specific advertising broadcast (Wake-on-BLE / WoBLE). Once it detects a non-connectable advertising packet with the appropriate manufacturer data payload, the hardware PMIC wakes the camera, and it begins normal GATT peripheral advertising. Because Connect IQ only supports the Central role (scanning and GATT client), there is currently zero way for a Garmin watch or Edge unit to wake these devices from sleep.
Athletes either have to:
- Disable auto-sleep on their cameras (wasting camera battery on long rides), or
- Reach over and physically press the camera's hardware power button.
I would like a constrained, one-shot GAP Broadcaster function:
- Non-connectable bursts only (no incoming connections).
- Hard timeout enforced by firmware (e.g., max 3–5 seconds).
- Ability to set a custom Local Name and Manufacturer Specific Data payload (`0xFF`).
This would enable Garmin devices to act as universal remotes and wake dormant cameras, smart lights, and beacons without compromising wearable battery life.
If you develop BLE apps or would find this capability useful, please upvote and add your thoughts on the feature request ticket!