Simulator in SDK 4.0.6 - removed support for activity simulation for widgets and watch faces

Brandon.ConnectIQ I'm developing my apps since more than 3 years for several devices. My first device was a Fenix 5X and with that one it is possible to start an activity (e.g. running) and press the back button to display the watch face. It is also possible to toggle through all widgets while the activity app is running in the background. This navigation scenario works on several devices also on my current Fenix 6X.

My MagicDust widget takes the benefit of this navigation and displays all provided data of the SDK in my widget display I need.

Up to SDK 4.0.5 it was possible to test my widget by using the simulator. I started the activity simulation and then my widget logic displays the simulated data like on a real device (F5X or F6X).

How to start the activity simulation for watch faces and widget is described in the first post.

My top rated watch face (MagicDust / Beta) also uses a logic to hide the most battery draining renderings during a running activity (e.g. rendering of seconds, graphs, etc.).

If it is possible simply enable the activity simulation again for watch faces and widgets to simulate the same behavior like the real hardware.

here the link to my apps: https://apps.garmin.com/de-DE/developer/7d8da96b-3639-4083-89ce-41e404d5bb10/apps

Hint: simply try out the MagicDust widget that provides activity based data fields, a build in map view and a battery boost mode that provides a 50% longer battery life during GPS mode.

Please contact me again if you need additional information/clarification.

TheMagician I'd like to get some clarification about this. The Activity module is not available for use by watch faces and widgets (see https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/connect-iq-basics/app-types/), so there should not be a case where the data field menu is needed when running these app types in the simulator. However, it's certainly possible we've overlooked something (that seems to be the case).

Can you describe how you're displaying activity data in your widget? That might help us understand what's needed here so we can present the proper case to the engineering team.

I've created an internal ticket to have this use case investigated further by development. I'll let you know when there is an update. 

Richard.ConnectIQ

thanks for the information but in my opinion this makes no sense. Can you please describe how to test a watch face with additional functionality during activities. In addition I have created a widget that displays data fields during a running activity. With this solution it is possible to make an app that is compatible with all apps and provide 50% more battery life for GPS activities.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/ffcee43d-ef4f-4175-a55a-c46b6cc2918d

Simply install the widget on a fenix 6x for testing.

If the simulator doesn't provide this functionality it is no longer possible to test out the correct behaviour of my apps.

Will this change be working again in the SDK v4.1.x?

This change was intentional to better match the functionality of physical devices in the simulator.