Garmin Connect app redesign impressions: A tailored, superior experience

Garmin typically sees success at CES, however at CES 2024, the corporate didn’t simply unveil two new health trackers, it additionally introduced a serious improve to the Garmin Join platform. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to realize beta entry to the redesigned app and web site, and after testing it out, I’m thrilled to say it’s a serious win.

Garmin Join’s new look makes the platform’s focus very clear: the person. Instantly upon updating to the redesigned expertise, the app requested me to establish my targets and priorities, rank my curiosity in particular knowledge, and put together for a customized Dwelling display screen. The result’s a fantastically simplified touchdown tab that also presents the perfect of Garmin’s intricate coaching instruments in a extra digestible method.

This variation impacts not solely the companion app but in addition the web site model of Garmin Join. Wherever you like to work together with the stats tracked by your smartwatch or tracker, you’ll discover the brand-new group outlined beneath.

With the choice to incorporate as much as 5 classes, the brand new In Focus part highlights your high-priority well being and health metrics, whether or not you’re somebody who lives for his or her step depend or plans round their Physique Battery. I like the power to shortly test in on my sleep rating, steps, Coaching Readiness, and Exercise Tendencies as quickly as I open the app. As at all times, you’ll be able to faucet on every focus class to evaluation deeper insights.

Because the title implies, this part retains much more stats entrance and heart for fast evaluation. Primarily based in your alternatives throughout setup, Garmin will establish the stats most necessary to your targets. You possibly can faucet every to see extra particulars or faucet See All to entry much more classes. Customers can even choose as much as eight further stats, together with the entire gamut of Garmin’s instrument equipment. I discover this second tier of knowledge the proper spot for data I don’t at all times want however need typically sufficient that I don’t need to dig. For me, that features issues like ladies’s well being particulars, exercise stats, and stress.

Ever join an occasion in a flurry of motivation and misguided vitality, solely to overlook till it’s solely too near race day to carry out admirably? Enter the Occasions part highlighting upcoming races and competitions, providing prep data, countdowns, and even the power to prioritize one occasion over one other. Like the remainder of the Dwelling tab, this part is very customizable and may be disabled solely if occasions aren’t your factor.

There’s no higher coaching companion than Garmin. Beneath this header, customers can begin a Garmin Coach coaching plan after which test in on their progress and scheduled exercises. I’m nothing if not motivated by schedules and deadlines, and Garmin’s free packages proceed to impress, particularly in a panorama teeming with subscription charges.

Garmin making house for customers to test in on their challenges is a delight. You possibly can nonetheless faucet over to the Challenges tab to extra carefully handle your rankings and standing, however now you’ll discover the fundamental particulars proper beneath the remainder of your go-to stats. You possibly can faucet a listed problem to see extra data or faucet See All to open the Challenges tab. I’ve by no means been a Boy Scout, however I’m all about badges, and I like Garmin’s Expeditions.

Naturally, targets change and priorities shift. To this finish, the brand new touchdown web page is very customizable. I selected to allow all classes throughout this Garmin Join hands-on, however Garmin makes it simple to toggle off people who don’t apply to your health journey. In the event you don’t need to take part in challenges otherwise you aren’t one to schedule occasions, no downside. Scroll all the way in which right down to the underside and faucet Edit Dwelling.

I don’t suppose it’s unreasonable to say that the up to date app expertise might increase the size of Garmin’s person base. Previously, I and different reviewers for Android Authority have regarded Garmin’s companion app as loaded with stats and particulars, making it a terrific useful resource for athletes and knowledge junkies. Nonetheless, we’ve additionally referred to as it doubtlessly overwhelming for some; with a lot data to wade by way of, newcomers would possibly really feel they’re drowning in knowledge.

After delving into the brand new expertise, it’s clear to me that the replace makes the companion app considerably extra approachable. At-a-glance stats customized to my particular pursuits imply I don’t must spend time tediously scrolling. Highlighted challenges maintain me centered and accountable.  Positive, I can nonetheless whip up Garmin’s notorious overflow menu once I’m itching for a treasure hunt, however the Dwelling tab highlights every little thing I want day by day.

Equally necessary, the app doesn’t appear to be lacking something. In 2023, Fitbit customers had been extremely disenchanted by the corporate’s app design, which oversimplified instruments and eliminated valued options. Garmin is a shining instance of simplification with out sacrifice.

Garmin introduced the Garmin Join app’s redesign at CES on January eighth, alongside a second-generation Garmin Lily and a brand new female-focused coronary heart fee monitor, the HRM-Match. A beta model of the app is out there to pick prospects now. The expertise is predicted to be out there to everybody later this 12 months.