Garmin releases update to cheaper smartwatches with new improvements

Garmin has returned to its cheaper pair of Forerunner smartwatches with a new stable update for both of them. Announced in May, the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 (curr. $279 on Amazon) cost significantly less than the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970, which retail for $549 and $749, respectively.

Initially, Garmin kept the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 on a different development cycle from other Forerunner x70 smartwatches. Then in September, the company brought the pair onto System Software 18.29, harmonising them with the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970.

Now, it has transitioned the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 to System Software 18.32. Incidentally, Garmin released an equivalent update last week to the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970. Reportedly, System Software 18.32 prevents a rare device reset, while also resolving issues relating to alarms and smart notifications.

At the time of publication, Garmin claims to have offered System Software 18.32 to around 20% of Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 owners as part of a phased rollout. As always, one can bypass this rollout by navigating through the main menu on a Forerunner 70 or Forerunner 170 to Settings, System and Software Update before tapping 'Check for Updates'. The full changelog between System Software 18.29 and v18.32 is as follows:

• Fixes an issue that could cause the alarm vibration to be unintentionally disabled.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when changing screens during an activity.
• Fixes other minor issues.
• Fixes potential issue with Spotify music playback after skipping songs via paired Bluetooth headphones.
• Prevents smart notifications from sounding a tone when the device is in silent or do not disturb mode.