Garmin Announces Connect IQ System 8 Details

Garmin has unveiled Connect IQ System 8, introducing a suite of new tools and features designed to help developers create more dynamic and powerful apps for Garmin devices. The update includes significant enhancements such as a new Visual Studio Code extension, watch face configuration options, expanded code space, sensor pairing capabilities, and a notification module.

New Visual Studio Code Extension

System 8 debuts a Monkey C extension for Visual Studio Code, offering a streamlined development experience with features like:

• Real-Time Errors and Warnings: Developers can spot errors and warnings across Monkey C, Jungle, Settings, MSS, and Resource XML files directly in the editor’s Problems tab.
• Autocompletion: Smart suggestions are tailored to the current scope, including detailed function arguments and type information.
• References and Symbol Search: Easily locate references or symbols with contextual right-click options or by using the command palette.
• Hovering and Go to Definition: Quick access to type information or symbol definitions ensures smoother navigation.
• Code Folding Ranges: Developers can fold comments, imports, and code regions to improve readability.

These features require projects to have a type-check level of gradual or higher.

Source Garmin.com

Watch Face Configurations

Garmin’s fēnix 8 and newer wearables now feature an on-device watch face editor, empowering users to customize and save their configurations.

Developers can support this functionality using the watch face configuration API, which introduces variables for:

• Styles: Variations in fonts, watch hands, and more.
• Data Complications: Configurable data fields with multiple complications.
• Data and Accent Colors: Customizable colour options for data and accents.

Users can create up to four watch face configurations per device.

Extended Code Space

System 8 addresses app size limitations by providing 16 MB of extended code space for supported devices. This additional space is paged in on demand, enabling developers to pack more functionality into their apps. Functions, classes, and modules can be designated for this space using the :extendedCode annotation.

Enhanced Sensor Pairing

Developers building apps that rely on wireless communication (via ANT, ANT+, or Bluetooth Low Energy) can now leverage a more seamless sensor pairing process. Using the Sensors.SensorDelegate class, apps can integrate with the device’s sensor pairing UI flow for a smoother user experience.

Background Notifications

The new Notifications module allows apps to trigger actionable notifications, even while running in the background. This feature supports use cases like temporal alerts or handling phone messages, provided the app has the required notification permissions.

A Platform for Innovation

With Connect IQ System 8, Garmin continues to empower its developer community with robust tools to build engaging experiences. From a cutting-edge development environment to expanded device capabilities, System 8 sets a new standard for innovation in wearable technology.

What This Means for Users and Developers

For Users

Connect IQ System 8 brings a richer, more customizable experience for Garmin device owners. With the new watch face editor, users can create personalized designs by adjusting styles, data complications, and colours directly on their devices. The addition of actionable notifications ensures users stay informed even when apps run in the background, enhancing overall device functionality.

The extended app capabilities introduced by System 8 also mean users can expect more sophisticated and feature-rich applications in the future, catering to diverse needs from fitness tracking to smart home integration.

For Developers

For developers, System 8 represents a significant leap forward in terms of efficiency and capability. The Visual Studio Code extension simplifies the development process with advanced tools like real-time error checking, autocompletion, and easy navigation. The expanded code space removes previous limitations, allowing for the creation of more complex applications.

The updated APIs for watch face configurations and sensor pairing streamline the development of customizable and interactive features. Additionally, the notification module offers new opportunities for engaging users by delivering timely and relevant information.

Overall, System 8 not only enhances the developer toolkit but also opens up new possibilities for innovation, enabling developers to create cutting-edge apps that deliver value to Garmin’s user base.

For more details, visit the official announcement on the Garmin Developer Forum: System 8 Beta Now Available.