Garmin has rolled out its first wave of beta updates for the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3, bringing a slew of fixes to eager early adopters. Released on November 1st, this update focuses primarily on squashing bugs and improving existing features rather than introducing new ones. This comes as welcome news to some users who have been experiencing issues with PacePro, Breathwork, and heart rate monitoring.

While this isn’t the first update these watches have seen (a prior update addressed a cold water crash issue), it’s the first comprehensive update aimed at resolving a wider range of user-reported problems. It’s important to note that this update is currently only available to those enrolled in Garmin’s Public Beta program.

A Deeper Dive into the Fixes

So, what exactly is getting fixed? Here’s a breakdown:

• Brighter Displays: One of the most noticeable changes addresses an issue where watch faces appeared too dim with Always On Display enabled.
• Battery Life Improvements: The update tackles a bug that caused increased battery drain when using a CIQ watch face.
• PacePro Precision: A fix has been implemented for missing PacePro plan names in the Race Calendar app.
• Enhanced Heart Rate Glance: A potential crash issue stemming from the Heart Rate Glance in folders has been resolved.
• Smoother Sleep Tracking: The update addresses a problem where sleep wouldn’t record despite HR and movement being tracked.
• Improved CIQ Watch Face Performance: Several fixes target CIQ watch faces, including issues with stale data, active app indicator performance, and battery consumption.
• Breathwork and Meditation Enhancements: Fixes have been applied to the Breathwork activity’s alert settings and the Meditation activity’s disabled touch setting.

My Experience:

As a Fenix 8 owner and beta program participant, I’ve been testing this update for the past few days. The improved display brightness is a definite plus, and I haven’t experienced any crashes related to the heart rate glance. It seems like Garmin is taking user feedback seriously and working diligently to iron out these wrinkles.

How to Get the Update

If you’re enrolled in the Garmin Public Beta program, you can grab the update by navigating to Main Menu > System > Software Update > Check for Updates on your Fenix 8 or Enduro 3.

Important Note: Remember that this is a beta release, so there might still be some undiscovered bugs. However, based on my experience and feedback from other users on Reddit and the Garmin forums, this update seems to bring significant improvements.

This first round of beta updates demonstrates Garmin’s commitment to refining the user experience on its flagship watches. It’ll be interesting to see what further enhancements and features future updates will bring.

A tech enthusiast has created a functional pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses using a Raspberry Pi, showcasing the potential of affordable and accessible AR technology.

In a world increasingly captivated by the metaverse and the potential of augmented reality, one individual has taken a bold step by crafting their own AR glasses using a Raspberry Pi. This remarkable feat, achieved by a Reddit user known as Miroslav, has generated significant buzz within the tech community and beyond. Miroslav unveiled their creation on the Raspberry Pi subreddit, showcasing a fully functional pair of AR goggles capable of running web apps.

This innovative project utilizes a Raspberry Pi Zero, a compact and affordable single-board computer, as the brains of the operation. The glasses themselves are equipped with a display that overlays digital content onto the user’s real-world view, creating an immersive AR experience. While the current iteration of the glasses may not be as polished as commercially available AR headsets, it’s a testament to the ingenuity and DIY spirit of the maker community.

Intrigued? Here’s a closer look at what makes this project so special:

• Affordable AR: By using a Raspberry Pi Zero, Miroslav has demonstrated that AR technology can be accessible to a wider audience. The Pi Zero, priced at around $5, significantly lowers the barrier to entry for those interested in experimenting with AR.
• DIY Ethos: This project embodies the spirit of “do-it-yourself” innovation. It encourages others to explore the possibilities of technology and create their own unique gadgets and devices.
• Open Source Potential: The use of a Raspberry Pi opens up the possibility of sharing the project’s code and design with the open-source community. This could lead to further development and refinement of the AR glasses, making them even more accessible and versatile.

Current Capabilities and Future Plans:

Miroslav’s AR glasses are already capable of performing several impressive functions, including:

• Playing videos
• Displaying images
• Playing music via Bluetooth headphones
• Showing text

However, due to the limited processing power of the Raspberry Pi Zero, the glasses currently struggle to handle resource-intensive websites like YouTube and Twitter. Miroslav plans to address this limitation by upgrading to a more powerful Raspberry Pi model in the future. This upgrade could potentially enable the glasses to run more complex AR applications and games, further expanding their capabilities.

My Take on This DIY Marvel:

As someone who’s always been fascinated by the potential of AR, I find Miroslav’s project incredibly inspiring. It’s a testament to the power of creativity and technical skill. I believe that projects like this can play a crucial role in democratizing AR technology, making it more accessible to hobbyists, students, and researchers alike. I’m excited to see how Miroslav continues to develop their AR glasses and what other innovations emerge from the maker community in the future.

This DIY project is a shining example of how accessible technology can empower individuals to create their own innovative solutions. It’s a story that’s sure to inspire tech enthusiasts and makers around the world.

Get ready for a major iPhone AI upgrade! Apple is set to roll out iOS 18.2 in the first week of December, bringing a slew of new Apple Intelligence features to your device. This update, initially expected later in the month, is now slated for release as early as December 2nd, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This means iPhone users will soon experience a significant boost in AI capabilities, transforming how we interact with our phones.

Why is this update such a big deal?

iOS 18.2 marks a pivotal moment in Apple’s AI journey. While iOS 18.1 introduced us to the foundation of Apple Intelligence, this new version promises to unlock its true potential. Think enhanced image recognition, smarter Siri interactions, and more personalized experiences. It’s all about making your iPhone more intuitive and helpful than ever before.

One of the most anticipated features is the rumored integration of ChatGPT, the powerful language model developed by OpenAI. Imagine having natural, flowing conversations with Siri, getting insightful answers to complex questions, and even generating creative text formats, all within your iPhone. This could revolutionize how we use our devices for everything from work and education to entertainment and communication.

Here’s what we know so far about iOS 18.2:

• Release Date: Expected the week of December 2nd, 2024.
• Key Features: Significant expansion of Apple Intelligence, potentially including ChatGPT integration.
• Impact: A more intelligent and personalized iPhone experience.

My Take:

Personally, I’m most excited about the potential for enhanced visual intelligence. As someone who loves photography, the idea of my iPhone understanding the context of my images and offering intelligent editing suggestions is incredibly appealing. I’m also eager to see how ChatGPT integration, if true, will change the way I interact with Siri. Will it finally feel like I’m having a conversation with a truly intelligent assistant? I can’t wait to find out!

Looking Ahead:

This is just the beginning. Gurman also suggests that an even bigger AI update is on the horizon with iOS 18.4, expected in April 2025. It seems Apple is committed to making AI a central part of the iPhone experience, and I’m excited to see how these advancements unfold.

For years, Samsung phone owners have watched with envy as their friends with Pixels received the latest Android updates almost the moment they were released. Meanwhile, they were left waiting weeks or even months for Samsung’s One UI to bake in the same goodies. But rumors are swirling that Samsung might finally be ready to close the update gap with its next flagship phone, potentially the Galaxy S25.

This shift could be a game-changer for Samsung users, who often cite slow updates as a major frustration. Imagine getting the latest Android features and security patches at the same time as Pixel owners – no more waiting around, no more feeling like a second-class Android citizen. But how is Samsung planning to achieve this, and will they actually deliver?

The Need for Speed: Why Updates Matter

Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Why are fast Android updates so important?

• Security: New Android versions often include critical security patches that protect your phone from malware and other threats. Delayed updates leave your device vulnerable for longer.
• Features: Who doesn’t love shiny new features? Faster updates mean you get to enjoy the latest Android innovations sooner.
• Performance: Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes, making your phone run smoother and more efficiently.

Samsung’s Update Struggles: A History of Delays

Historically, Samsung has been notoriously slow with Android updates. This is largely due to their heavily customized One UI skin, which requires extensive testing and optimization before it can be rolled out with a new Android version.

Think of it like this: Google bakes the cake (Android), but Samsung adds a whole lot of frosting and decorations (One UI). That extra work takes time.

A New Hope: Signs of Change

So, what’s different this time? Several recent developments suggest Samsung is serious about speeding up its update game:

• Streamlined Software: Rumors suggest Samsung is working on a leaner version of One UI, potentially reducing the complexity of updates.
• Closer Collaboration with Google: Samsung and Google have been deepening their partnership, which could lead to more efficient update processes.
• Increased Resources: Reports indicate that Samsung is investing heavily in its software development teams, potentially allowing for faster turnaround times.

My Take: Cautious Optimism

As a long-time Samsung user (I’m typing this on my Galaxy S23 Ultra), I’m cautiously optimistic about these rumors. I’ve experienced the frustration of waiting for updates firsthand, and I would love to see Samsung finally catch up with Google.

However, I’m also hesitant to get my hopes up too high. Samsung has made similar promises in the past, with mixed results. Until I see concrete evidence of faster updates, I’ll remain slightly skeptical.

What to Expect from the Galaxy S25

If the rumors are true, we could see the Galaxy S25 launch with the latest version of Android and receive subsequent updates much faster than previous Samsung phones. This would be a major selling point for the device and could put pressure on other Android manufacturers to step up their update game.

However, it’s important to remember that this is all speculation at this point. We’ll have to wait for official announcements from Samsung to know for sure.

The Future of Android Updates

Regardless of what Samsung does, the pressure is on for all Android manufacturers to deliver faster updates. Consumers are increasingly demanding a seamless and up-to-date software experience, and companies that can’t keep up risk being left behind.

Whether Samsung leads the charge or plays catch-up, the future of Android updates is looking brighter.