Garmin's New Google Maps App Puts Your Phone Where It Belongs: Your Pocket

The large surface of nan Venu X1 is cleanable for Google Maps. 

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

It's summertime successful New York, and I'm presently navigating astir nan city, telephone in-hand for navigation. Like everyone else, I usage Google Maps religiously erstwhile I travel: going from nan airdrome to nan edifice and to various destinations astir town. But I don't really for illustration being glued to my telephone nan full clip to cheque turns, train transfers, and directions. 

Also: The champion Garmin watches you tin buy: Strong search tech for fitness, sleep, and more

Thankfully, Garmin conscionable announced nan merchandise of Google Maps for Garmin watches, which lets maine entree Google Maps connected my smartwatch, freeing up my hands successful nan process.

The watch communicates pinch nan app connected your phone, mirroring directions successful a much walk-friendly interface. Even better: it's disposable now for free connected compatible Garmin smartwatches, including prime Venu, Forerunner, Vívoactive, and Fenix products. I installed it connected nan caller Garmin Venu X1 and it helped make my trips astir nan metropolis safer and much efficient.

The Garmin Fenix 8

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

One caveat pinch this caller Google Maps app is that it only useful pinch paired Android smartphones and it will not reflector Google Maps from an iPhone. If you brace your Garmin pinch an iPhone, you will person to support an oculus retired successful lawsuit support is added successful nan future.  

Options for nan app see vibration connected aliases disconnected and whether aliases not you want inheritance notifications. If you want to way your travel arsenic a walk, run, aliases motorcycle thrust past you tin still usage Google Maps and beryllium notified of turns. When your travel is completed, it syncs your activity information to your phone.

Also: I replaced my Apple Watch Ultra pinch this flagship Garmin exemplary - and didn't regret it

As we spot Apple moving to adhd much fittingness and wellness features to its smartwatches, Garmin is enhancing its sports watches to usability arsenic smartwatches. Some caller Garmin watches, for illustration nan Venu X1, support telephone calls from nan wrist, sound assistants, sound recordings, and more. Personally, I emotion that nan Venu X1 calculator now functions for illustration my Apple Watch Ultra app pinch an easy extremity calculator. 

Garmin's Connect IQ shop is besides continuing to grow, pinch Google Maps, Starbucks, Komoot, and more. While WatchOS and WearOS attraction connected a wide scope of apps, Garmin adds immoderate cardinal utilities that heighten nan wearable acquisition while still offering smartwatches that past for weeks compared to days.