Garmin to add NAP MANAGEMENT
source: via @JohnW, thank you
As if things couldn’t get any more exciting, Garmin is adding the ability to tinker with naps (Edit: 21March 2024 – added)
Garmin NAPs have already been rolled out to several Forerunner models after the initial release to Fenix/Epix. It’s very much a ‘marmite’ feature in that you love it or hate it, it doesn’t add anything for me but we’re all different.
The following article gives some detailed background and links to science and naps are perhaps not as beneficial as you might think.
More: Garmin NAP – Detailed insights and explainer including sciencey stuff.
The new feature tidies up what we already have giving the ability to modify or delete naps and ensure they do not overlap with each other or with ‘proper’ sleep periods. That’s about it! Someone will be very happy.
Q: What other features are coming to the Garmin ecosystem?
A: The biggest one will be the introduction of payments into Connect IQ. Developers can more easily get paid for their work and the overall standard of apps might improve as a result of developers being able to generate a decent income stream from what otherwise might be a hobby. The inclusion of payments within Connect IQ will make things simpler for everyone, avoiding some of the hoops that developers currently have to jump through to get paid. Garmin will get their piece of the pie as well of course. This should come ‘soon’ I hope for Q2.2024.
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The latest F7/Epix beta v17.10 has this in change log: “Added Messenger App”
Could this be a prelude to some long overdue Garmin LTE functionality? Otherwise I can’t see why this watch app would be at all useful it requires carrying an InReach device.
not sure. but it shows garmin is actively working on this area in general
for others: the garmin mnessenger app has been aroudn for ages and, i think, only works over inreach satellite conenctions (745lte maybe???)
why would a F7 get it?
1. assumes you carry an inreach
2. is used to give messenging via a ble phone link (likley)
3. is a prelude to a new gen of fenix/eipx with lte (I don’t think you can draw that inference)
4. is a prelude to a new gen of fenix/eipx with satellite (I don’t think you can draw that inference and i think a satellite aerial woudl be too large for a wristwacth at this stage in the tech cycles..satellite in iphones tho!)
It can be seen that Garmin is working on the communication area. I think this is an announcement of changes and perhaps a glimmer of hope for the revival of the Forerunner 945 LTE project in newer models. Anticipating your doubts. This works without using InReach. because the InReach technology, or rather the Garmin Messenger, uses priorities 1st – WiFi, 2nd – LTE, 3rd – Iridum, it also works without this last link. I was already stopping. You need configuration from the Garmin Messenger app for Android or iOS. Then you need to add the watch code via WR, invite a person from your contacts, they need to download and install Messenger, and then you need to initiate a chat from your phone. the contact appears on the watch. There are notifications on the watch. this is separated from normal notifications from other smartphone apps. Please test it and describe it, because it’s worth it. Could Fenix 8 and Epix Gen 3 be approaching 🙂
it does seem strange to add a feature to F7 that only works over wifi, must be ble as well, no?
i wrote about ciq last year and the new version of ciq has features that might help all of the wireless comms side of things. probably linked to that. perhaps f7 is a test bad for the wifi part of it?
It’s for inreach message by satellite they have, not lte
I tried set up and came up to inreach system sadly dont seem to mean future LTE 😶
Will the new naps update be on the Venu 2 plus? I would love this new feature!
There is a priority in using technology. If there is WiFi, it does not use LTE and Iridium. If it doesn’t have WiFi, it uses LTE, it doesn’t use Iridium. If there is neither WiFi nor LTE, then it looks for satellites. Bluetooth is used to communicate the watch with the Garmin Messenger application. For this to work, the messenger on your smartphone must run in the background all the time. If the smartphone turns off background processes, the smartphone will not connect to the watch and the watch will not connect to the smartphone. It works the same as on Venu 3. The difference is that all messages are in one notification system. SMS, Facebook, What’s UP And it is possible to make voice calls with a dedicated phone book. However, in Fenix/Epix it is connected to Garmin Messenger and only SMS messages are received, because Messenger only supports smartphones, not third-party applications. You can’t call either. The rest is the same. It is clear that Garmin is working on developing safety and emergency technology because it added this function to Iridium’s communication with InReach, rather than as a separate notification system. This bodes well. Because now it makes it much easier to use InReach Messenger, which has no keyboard and makes it difficult to type there. On the watch too, but it is always at hand, not as a separate piece of electronics. Good evolution. Maybe one day I will be able to go for a bike training session or a long run without a phone. At the moment, the watch + InReach Messenger option simplifies it a lot and creates the best compact set. Light and perfect. Then you don’t need a smartphone. And if we want to save on messages from a satellite subscription, there is always the option of LTE and WiFi. Brilliant 🙂
i was thinking if fenix could piggy back an iPhone satellite connection via BLE?
It’s working already on my Forerunner 265, was able to delete a nap detected while watching Solaris (I swear I didn’t nod off, was enthralled by the movie).
Anyway, might as well turn nap detection off I guess.
I only noticed today that my 965 has me taking naps while sitting at my desk at work, hope my boss hasn’t noticed 😉
he’s noticed.