Garmin fenix just became a smart watch

[Active Monkey]

I just installed beta 4.01 of the garmin fenix software and now via bluetooth all my iphone notifications ( sms, incoming calls etc) show on my garmin fenix watch. This is the same functionality as the galaxy gear.

 

There are more features :

 

Added ability to determine speed, distance, cadence and steps in Indoor mode (when no Foot Pod is present). Enable in Setup > System > GPS Mode > Indoor. Auto calibration occurs in Normal GPS Mode when FIT Activity is set to Running

Added a 'Ski-Snowboard' profile. Select this profile to enable a new alpine/downhill ski and snowboard experience

Added support for Smart Notifications. Note: the Apple Notification Center Service (ANCS) feature requires an Apple iPhone equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology and iOS 7 or later. Enable in Setup > Bluetooth

Added support for Interval Workouts. Enable in Setup > Menu > Add Page > Workouts

Added support for Workouts loaded from Garmin Connect (garminconnect.com)

Issues with this beta software may be reported to fenix@garmin.com

 

 

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?65824-Fenix-D2-Tactix-Beta-Firmware-4-01-Release

[Wayne Potgieter]

Very cool. Is it exclusive to iphone? Or galaxy as well?

[Active Monkey]

Not sure as i have a iphone... But think its only phones with bluetooth 4.0

[Wayne Potgieter]

Cool. S4 has 4.0 bt.

[Active Monkey]

Confirmed its only iphone and only 4s and up on ios 7

[allaout]

@Hubber

I have the Tactix, the black Fenix, I have been hunting for the possibility of a notifications for Android BLE capable phones in the near future. This is a powerful feature. I was wondering when the iPhone is paired to the Fenix how is the battery life of the Fenix approx.?

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a list of phones with BLE.

http://en.wikipedia....ooth_low_energy

 

Also this to clear up some things.

"The Bluetooth low energy protocol is not backward-compatible with the previous (often called 'Classic') Bluetooth protocol. The Bluetooth 4.0 specification permits devices to implement either or both of the LE and Classic systems. Those that implement both are known as Bluetooth 4.0 dual-mode devices."

 

 

BTW - What is Up Bike Brothers to the North, from Lafayette, LA

Edited January 13, 2014 by allaout