Garmin has released a major software update for Venu Sq and Venu Sq Music watches, ahead of the widely anticipated launch of the Garmin Venu Sq 2. The update to software version 7.30 adds a handful of new features, plus bug fixes for both watches.
Garmin Sq watches are getting support for syncing your step goal streaks with Garmin Connect, plus support for syncing resting heart rate across devices – something that will be particularly useful if you have a Venu Sq for everyday wear, but switch for a more specialized Garmin sports watch for training sessions.
Garmin has also improved the interface for automatic incident detection and assistance, which alerts an emergency contact if the watch's accelerometer detects a fall and you don't cancel the alert manually within a few seconds. There are a few stability improvements too, and Garmin has solved a problem that sometimes displayed a 'missing club' warning while tracking a golf activity.
If you own a Venu Sq Music, you'll be pleased to learn that Garmin has solved a problem that prevented the watch syncing music via Wi-Fi when the battery was partially drained.
If you haven't got the update yet, don't worry, the rollout is staged and your watch will receive it in time.
What's coming next
Garmin supports its watches with bug fixes and feature updates long after their release, so it's no surprise that it's rolling out an update for the Venu Sq soon before the rumored launch of the Venu Sq 2.
Although there's not been any official word from Garmin about the Sq 2, the name appeared on a list of forthcoming devices leaked by an authorized retailer earlier this year. At the time it was impossible to verify the document, which provided warranty information for watches on sale this year, but several of the devices listed have since been released, including the Garmin Forerunner 955, 255, and 255 Music which makes us more inclined to trust it.
The Garmin Venu Sq and Sq Music are both excellent sports watches, but there are a few obvious tweaks that could make the Sq 2 one of the best GPS watches around.
The Sq is the only adult-sized watch in Garmin's current lineup with a square face, which naturally draws comparisons with the current Apple Watch 7. It's tough to compare the two directly (Apple's wearables don't offer the same in-depth fitness tracking and battery life, while Garmin devices support far fewer third-party apps), but one of the most obvious differences between the two right now is the screens.
While the Apple Watch has an AMOLED screen with a resolution of 396 x 484 for the 45mm model, or 352 x 430 for the 41mm model, the Venu Sq has a less striking color LCD display with a resolution of just 240 x 240 pixels.
With an updated screen, map-reading on the Venu Sq 2 would be much easier, and it would be capable of showing workout animations like the round-faced Venu 2 to guide you through various yoga and pilates exercises.
With the right updates, the Sq 2 could be ne of the best Garmin watches of 2022, and we're keeping our ear to the ground for any more news about its features, price, and potential release date.
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