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 — Descent X50i / Descent X30 — v8.02 / v5.02 — 11 November 2026
the5krunner insight: A small release that only matters if you dive, with a smarter ascent alarm as the one change worth knowing about.
Garmin posted these release notes on 11 November, although the rollout reached 100 per cent on 5 and 6 November. The headline change is a reworked ascent rate alarm that cuts nuisance alerts. The Descent X50i also gets a more realistic time to surface on closed-circuit rebreather dives and better handling of a weak link to the Descent S1 Buoy. The Descent X30 receives the shared items only.
- Ascent rate alarm sounds less often: it now triggers when you exceed 10 m/min for 10 seconds, or 20 m/min for 5 seconds
- Time to surface on closed-circuit rebreather dives no longer counts upcoming automatic setpoint switches, so it lines up with other dive computers (Descent X50i only)
- An extra snoozable pop-up if the watch switches off and straight back on because of water detection (Descent X50i only)
- Better battery life when the charging pins are wet (Descent X50i only)
- Better handling of a poor connection to the Descent S1 Buoy (Descent X50i only)
- A new page explaining what Setup Sharing can transfer
- A new page on why you should dry the watch thoroughly before putting it away (Descent X50i only)
Find your model’s release notes: Descent X50i · Descent X30
Garmin — Montana 700i / 750i / 710i / 760i — v25.70 — 9 November 2026
the5krunner insight: A modest update that is only relevant if you carry a Montana.
Garmin has added support for larger satellite imagery downloads on the Montana 700i, 750i, 710i and 760i, and made searching by spelling quicker. The notes also mention routing crash fixes and missing text-to-speech voices, which are bug fixes and are not listed below.
- Support for larger satellite imagery downloads
- Faster Spell Search
Find your model’s release notes: Montana 700i / 750i · Montana 710i / 760i
Amazfit — T-Rex 3 family — v6.6.14.3 — 13 November 2026
the5krunner insight: A decent update for owners, mainly because the new lock options and button-led navigation suit use on the trail.
Amazfit has finally given the Amazfit T-Rex 3 family the Zepp OS 6 Launcher 2.0 that it held back from the original upgrade after some owners said they preferred the old navigation. The same release adds easier ways to lock the watch, better road drawing on maps, and more accurate pace in GPS Automatic Mode. Launcher 2.0 replaces some of the old swipe behaviour, so it will not suit everyone.
- More accurate pace when using GPS Automatic Mode
- Better road rendering on maps
- Direction arrows along a route at more map scales
- Slide to unlock during workouts, which becomes the default way to wake a touch-locked screen
- Device Lock gets an Auto Relock option, and you can assign Lock Device Once to a long press of the SEL/DOWN button
- Launcher 2.0: swipe right from the watch face for the workout list, swipe down for Quick Access, and double press the UP button for Control Center
- Theater Mode adjusts brightness to ambient light when the screen wakes, and you choose how long it stays active
- A Restore Defaults option inside individual workout settings
Full release notes: Amazfit T-Rex 3 firmware
Polar — H10 / Flow app — v7.38.0 — 9 November 2026
the5krunner insight: A modest update that only matters if you train with a Polar H10 chest strap and want it to record a session on its own.
The Polar Flow app now supports memory recording on the Polar H10 heart rate sensor, on both iOS and Android. You record the session using the strap’s built-in memory, and the data is transferred from the strap to Flow afterwards. The iOS release also improves Bluetooth connections to Polar devices and sensors.
- Record a training session using the H10’s built-in memory
- For outdoor GPS sports, choose whether to train with or without phone GPS
- Recorded data transfers from the H10 to Flow after your session
- More reliable Bluetooth connections to Polar devices and sensors (iOS)
Find your platform’s release notes: Polar Flow for iOS · Polar Flow for Android
Hammerhead — Karoo — v1.669.2569 — 12 November 2026
the5krunner insight: A decent update for long-distance riders, because the four new extensions do the work.
Hammerhead has added four extensions to the Karoo Extension Library. Two of them help you plan stops on a long ride, one lets you control an action camera, and one shows aerodynamic data from an AeroPod. The release also includes bug fixes, which are not listed below.
- Resupply finds water, food and other stops along your route, and shows opening hours and when you will arrive
- VeloComp shows CdA, wind speed and slope from a connected AeroPod
- Waybook finds cafés, food, water and sights along your route or nearby
- Kamerad lets you control an action camera, such as a GoPro Hero, from your Karoo
Full release notes: Karoo software build 1.669.2569
Samsung — Galaxy Watch 8 / Galaxy Watch 8 Classic — One UI 9 Watch — 8 November 2026
the5krunner insight: A decent update, and the cardio and recovery features are the reason to install it.
Samsung began rolling out stable One UI 9 Watch, built on Wear OS 7, to the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in South Korea on 8 November, and it reached US beta testers on 10 November. Samsung has not published a full stable changelog, so the workout controls, outdoor waypoint support and extra camera remote controls from the beta releases are ones to watch.
- Daily Cardio Load, which shows how hard your recent exercise has been
- Sleep Vitals and heart health insights in Samsung Health
- Improved exercise guidance
- Easier access to AI assistants, including Google Gemini
- A refreshed interface, with portrait watch faces that adapt to your chosen photo
- A redesigned Galaxy Wearable app, where you can preview watch faces and reach settings in fewer steps
Full release notes: Galaxy Watch 8 One UI 9 Watch
No updates this week
Checked and nothing to report for the week ending 14 November 2026: COROS, Suunto and Huawei either had no release in the window or released stability and bug fix updates only. Wahoo (source unavailable this week) posted new ELEMNT ACE, ELEMNT BOLT v3 and ELEMNT ROAM v3 builds on 12 November, but their release notes could not be read. Suunto’s Race 2 and Vertical 2 update was listed on 12 November without published release notes. Garmin’s Bounce 2 update was bug fixes only, and Garmin’s beta releases for the Fenix 9 family and the Edge cycling computers are not covered because their notes could not be retrieved from forums.garmin.com.
Previous edition: #20 Deep Dive Feature Files: Week Ending 7 November 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Amazfit T-Rex 3 get the new Zepp OS 6 launcher?
Yes. The latest firmware adds the Zepp OS 6 Launcher 2.0 that Amazfit held back from the original upgrade. Swiping right from the watch face opens the workout list, swiping down opens Quick Access, and a double press of the UP button opens Control Center.
What is new in the latest Amazfit T-Rex 3 firmware update?
The headline addition is the Zepp OS 6 Launcher 2.0. The update also adds slide to unlock during workouts, an Auto Relock option for Device Lock, better road drawing on maps, and more accurate pace in GPS Automatic Mode.
Can the Polar H10 now record a workout on its own?
Yes. The Polar Flow app now supports memory recording on the Polar H10, so the strap records the session in its built-in memory and the data transfers to Flow afterwards. For outdoor GPS sports you can choose whether to train with or without phone GPS.
What is new in the latest Hammerhead Karoo software update?
Hammerhead added four extensions to the Karoo Extension Library: Resupply, Waybook, Kamerad and VeloComp. Resupply and Waybook help you find stops along a route, Kamerad controls an action camera, and VeloComp shows CdA, wind speed and slope from an AeroPod.
Can the Hammerhead Karoo control a GoPro camera?
Yes, through the new Kamerad extension. It lets you control an action camera, such as a GoPro Hero, from your Karoo.
What is new in the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 software update?
The Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic are getting One UI 9 Watch, built on Wear OS 7. It brings a refreshed interface, Daily Cardio Load, Sleep Vitals and heart health insights, improved exercise guidance, and easier access to Google Gemini.
Does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 now track Daily Cardio Load?
Yes. One UI 9 Watch adds Daily Cardio Load, which shows how hard your recent exercise has been.
What is new in the latest Garmin Descent X50i software update?
The Descent X50i gets a reworked ascent rate alarm that sounds less often, and time to surface on closed-circuit rebreather dives no longer counts upcoming automatic setpoint switches. It also adds a snoozable pop-up if the watch restarts because of water detection and better handling of a weak link to the Descent S1 Buoy.
Last Updated on 14 November 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin with any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafing stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable arches, perfect position. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Health, recovery and sleep
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet. Occasional use.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors. I use it.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used. Occasional use.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions. I use both.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home via Starling. I use it.
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Written by real people, with AI assistance. Fact-checked and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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. See the gear tfk uses. ID
