New features on the way

I wonder if any of you know when to expect all the new features? Coming soon is the message, but I'm "Beta Enrolled" via GC, and there is no news of new features on the beta channel.

I don't think anyone exactly knows.

When the 955 was announced (or so?) some had noted most of the new features were coming to the 945LTE within weeks.  We then saw an alpha (manual load) of 6.04 which had some new features, but lacked most.

DC Rainmaker's (unofficial) update at the time was that the remaining features would come in an alpha/beta in August and perhaps they had a snag / unexpected bugs that caused them to get pulled from the original plan.  August is now waning, we'll see if they make the next few days.

I would assume once they arrive they would come via an Alpha release (posted here or in the beta forum) that would require manually downloading the files and putting them on your device via USB.  The "beta" releases in the new programs seem to be more like Release Candidates that they may push through wireless channels ahead of the general population.

The only thing we really know is that this document says 'August'. 

I thought it was interesting that, while at the top it says new features for August, under "Smart Watches" it says "New notable features in this software release for fēnix® 7 series, epix (Gen 2), Instinct® 2 series and Forerunner® 945 LTE (coming soon) smartwatches include"

To me, the "coming soon" seems to apply to 945 LTE only and suggests it will happen later than the others.  Probably not Aug.

It's the curst of LTE.  Regulatory requirements force additional validation/certification steps before updates.

Forerunner 945 LTE, or as it is referred to by it's friends, Coming Soon. 

Yes, but the press release from Aug 23 said, "The free software updates are available now." for the other devices. Coming soon could be in September, and the header is slightly misleading.   

I generally read it the same - the timing of the press release coupled with coming soon meant it's not as imminent as hoped.  Still I guess a press release may imply a production firmware release, so maybe an Alpha comes faster and is closer...

I am also still not sold on the reason the 945 LTE updates are so scarce is due to the LTE specifically and requiring external certification.  I would hope that "application code" (not in the LTE radio firmware or interface to it) could be updatable without the need for such extra hoops to jump through.  I personally still think it's ultimately a case of bring a low priority device with limited resources to support it.  That's not to say I don't agree that there is more complexity and work needed for the device in general, certainly it carries a bigger burden to certify certain areas of the product.

nord0296 said:

I personally still think it's ultimately a case of bring a low priority device with limited resources to support it.

This makes sense.  All one has to do is compare this forum activity against the 945 or fenix.  Looks to me that there aren't that many LTEs out in the wild.  It's too bad.  I really wanted LTE to be a mainstream function across the Garmin line of watches.

Dan.Boilermaker said:

I really wanted LTE to be a mainstream function across the Garmin line of watches.

I did too.  I have LTE enabled and run without my phone.  I like knowing my wife gets my Strava Beacon / LiveTrack with each run "just in case".  I do wish there were other features that could expand LTE's functionality - whether it's some kind of messaging from the device or... ?)

I tend to upgrade to the latest watch with nearly every iteration, but even using LTE "just in case" I tend to be waiting for the latest watch _with_ LTE and am unsure where Garmin's future is with the feature.

Now I sit with a ~14 month old LTE Garmin (the "latest" they offer with LTE) and in some areas it lacks features the Fenix 6 (2 years older?) now has in production (HRV).  Eager to get some updates, if nothing else to fuel my appetite for more to play with.