If you follow sports tech, your inbox fills up fast. Most of what lands is minor patches dressed up as news. This cuts through all that with one weekly post covering every feature addition across the major brands, nothing else. Trivial bug fixes are excluded. Subscribe via RSS at the5krunner.com.
Garmin — Fenix 8 / Fenix 8 Solar / Enduro 3 / Fenix E / Tactix 8 / Quatix 8 / D2 Mach 2 — v23.39 — 24 September 2026
the5krunner insight: Worth installing for the “OK Garmin” wake word alone, though the rest of this package already reached Fenix 8, Fenix E and Tactix 8 two weeks ago.
Voice control graduates to stable status here and reaches the wider Fenix 8 family for the first time, including Fenix 8 Solar, Enduro 3, Fenix E, Tactix 8, Quatix 8 and D2 Mach 2. The feature list is the same Q3 package covered in the last two issues: a suggested quick workout for running and an XC Ski Indoor activity are the other additions worth knowing about.
- Voice command enabled with the “OK Garmin” wake word
- Suggested quick workout added for running
- XC Ski Indoor activity added
- Flashlight shortcut cycles through on, off and strobe modes during an activity
- Volume control now carries context
- Dive computer settings sharing in the Garmin Share app
- Xero range and sensor data supported in the Applied Ballistics app
Full release notes: Fenix 8 series
Garmin — Fenix 8 Pro / Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED / Quatix 8 Pro / D2 Mach 2 Pro — v23.38 beta — 22 September 2026
the5krunner insight: Only relevant if you run beta firmware on a Pro model, since the stable build two days later carries the identical changelog to the rest of the range.
Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED, Quatix 8 Pro and D2 Mach 2 Pro pick up the same voice control and workout additions through the beta channel, ahead of a stable release for these Pro variants.
- Voice command enabled with the “OK Garmin” wake word
- Suggested quick workout added for running
- XC Ski Indoor activity added
- Flashlight shortcut cycles through on, off and strobe modes during an activity
- Volume control now carries context
- Dive computer settings sharing in the Garmin Share app
- Xero range and sensor data supported in the Applied Ballistics app
Full release notes: Fenix 8 Pro series beta
Wahoo — ELEMNT ACE / ELEMNT BOLT v3 / ELEMNT ROAM v3 — build 302685 — 22 September 2026
the5krunner insight: A small release, but the redesigned home screen is a genuine quality-of-life improvement for setting up a ride.
The home page on ELEMNT ACE, ELEMNT BOLT v3 and ELEMNT ROAM v3 has been rebuilt around a single screen. You can load a route, pick a workout, and set up your data pages and profiles from that one place, before rolling out or mid-ride. It is the only change in this release.
- Home page redesigned to load a route, pick a workout, and customize data pages and profiles from a single screen
Find your model’s release notes: ELEMNT ACE · ELEMNT BOLT v3 · ELEMNT ROAM v3
No updates this week
Checked and nothing to report for the week ending 26 September 2026: Amazfit, COROS, Suunto, Polar, Hammerhead, Samsung and Huawei either had no release in the window or released stability and bug fix updates only. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic One UI 9 Watch Beta 2, issued on 23 September, was Always-On Display and app stability fixes plus the September security patch, with no new features. Suunto’s Race, Race S, Vertical 2 and 9 Peak Pro release note pages show nothing newer than August. Hammerhead’s Karoo build on 17 September was bug fixes only and falls just outside this window.
Previous edition: #13 Deep Dive Feature Files: Week Ending 19 September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Garmin Fenix 8 have “OK Garmin” voice commands now?
Yes. The latest firmware enables voice commands using the “OK Garmin” wake word on Fenix 8. The same update reaches Fenix 8 Solar, Enduro 3, Fenix E, Tactix 8, Quatix 8 and D2 Mach 2, with the Pro models picking it up through the beta channel.
What is new in the latest Garmin Fenix 8 firmware update?
The main addition is voice control, enabled with the “OK Garmin” wake word. The release also adds a suggested quick workout for running, an XC Ski Indoor activity, dive computer settings sharing in the Garmin Share app, and an improved flashlight shortcut that cycles through on, off and strobe modes.
Does the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro get the same firmware update as the standard Fenix 8?
The feature set is identical, but Fenix 8 Pro and Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED receive it through the beta channel rather than as a stable release. Quatix 8 Pro and D2 Mach 2 Pro are on the same beta build.
Does the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE have a redesigned home screen?
Yes. The latest firmware gives ELEMNT ACE a redesigned home page where you can load a route, pick a workout, and set up your data pages and profiles from one screen. ELEMNT BOLT v3 and ELEMNT ROAM v3 get the same redesign.
What is new in the latest Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM firmware update?
The home page has been replaced with a single screen for loading routes, choosing workouts and customizing data pages and profiles, so you can set up a ride before rolling out or adjust it mid-ride. It is the only change in this release.
Last Updated on 26 September 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro — I’ve just bought one.
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
