The Apple Watch may rule tech press headlines (and smartwatch sales charts) but if you are really into your running and fitness, chances are you have a Garmin smartwatch strapped to your wrist. These devices offer fewer apps than Apple or Samsung watches but often provide more intricate health data and much longer battery life.
Available at a range of prices, most Garmin watches will accurately track your runs, cycles or swims thanks to built-in GPS, with screens that are designed to save battery as much as possible so you don’t have to charge every night.
Pricier Garmin watches are used by mountaineers and adventurers and even militaries, and are part of the reason why Apple introduced its £799 Apple Watch Ultra.
But compared to Apple or Android-based watches, there aren’t many third-party apps on Garmin watches. Though you can load up Spotify playlists and pay with select banks using Garmin Pay, you’re otherwise quite limited.
That could be changing though, as Garmin has announced the Google Maps app is now available for free in its Connect IQ Store, the place Garmin users can download apps from.
Now available for select Garmin Venu, Forerunner, Vívoactive and Fenix watches, the firm said in a press release the app produces “simple, turn-by-turn directions”.
After you’ve input directions on your phone Garmins says the app will send notifications to your watch to let you know when to make a turn, whether you’re walking, running or cycling.
“Whether exploring a new city, mapping out a run or casually cycling with friends, the Google Maps app in the Connect IQ store will keep users going in the right direction,” said Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing. “The turn-by-turn notifications will be a game changer for those who want to stay hands-free and keep their phone in their pocket.”
This sounds great, but it’ll only be a game changer if you own an Android phone. Garmin has only made Google apps available to those with Android, leaving iPhone using Garmin owners out of luck.
So, if you have a Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Honor, Sony or other Android phone and a Garmin watch, you should be able to get Google Maps running on your wrist today.
“Users can still record walks, runs or bike rides on their Garmin smartwatch while using Google Maps, allowing them to track distance, heart rate and more, while also getting notified when it’s time to make a turn along the route,” Garmin said.
“Once they arrive at their destination, users can sync their activity data from Garmin Connect to other Android health and fitness apps via Health Connect, providing them with more tools and flexibility than ever before.”