The Garmin Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 have received an update for a new voice feature, but it is limited to certain users.

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      Garmin has recently released a beta update for the Voice Command feature on certain Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 smartwatches, aiming to improve the on-device voice assistant. This update, referred to as Voice Command Files v1.12, offers enhancements to the voice assistant, although the precise details of these improvements have not been revealed.

      As noted on the Garmin forums, this new beta update is available for users of the Fenix 8 AMOLED, Fenix 8 Solar, Tactix 8 AMOLED, and Tactix 8 Solar models. This update follows the earlier beta version 15.26, released in late April, which introduced support for Voice Commands specific to Applied Ballistics and Flying Apps on the Tactix watches, along with various bug fixes.

      The voice assistant on these Garmin devices can recognize a variety of commands such as “Find my phone,” “Turn on airplane mode,” and “Increase brightness,” among others.

      The release of Voice Command Files v1.12 includes 17 files, suggesting support for multiple languages to accommodate users worldwide.

      However, it is important to mention that some users have reported an unexpected decline in their body battery levels after installing beta version 15.26 or the new Voice Command Files v1.12. Currently, Garmin has not addressed this issue, leaving users looking forward to a resolution.

      The Garmin Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 represent Garmin's latest premium smartwatch innovations, each designed for distinct user preferences. The Fenix 8 serves as a versatile multisport GPS smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts, equipped with a comprehensive suite of fitness tracking, advanced navigation features, and an integrated speaker and microphone for calls and voice assistance. It is available in various sizes and display types, including AMOLED and solar-powered MIP options, highlighting durability and long battery life suitable for extended use. In contrast, the Tactix 8 emphasizes tactical functionality for military personnel and challenging environments.

      Although it shares numerous fitness features with the Fenix 8, the Tactix 8 also offers specialized capabilities such as night vision compatibility, a multi-color LED flashlight, and preloaded Applied Ballistics software for precise calculations, making it essential for mission-ready scenarios. Both series feature rugged designs, sapphire crystal lenses for added durability, and comprehensive connectivity, tailored to their respective user bases.

      Bryan M. Wolfe has over ten years of experience as a technology writer, mainly focusing on mobile technologies.

      The Google Pixel 8 is about to receive an eagerly awaited update

      If you own a Google Pixel 8 or the newly released Google Pixel 8a, there’s good news on the horizon. A feature from the Google Pixel 8 Pro is finally making its way to your device. According to an APK teardown of Google's AICore app by Android Authority, a new option to activate Gemini Nano on these two smartphones has been discovered. Google also indicated that Nano would be accessible on these devices through Developer Options, suggesting that its launch is approaching quickly. This means users will likely need to enable it manually once Gemini Nano is available on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.

      A feature you thought might not be coming to your Google Pixel 8 is indeed on its way. Gemini Nano, the on-device AI that recently debuted on the Pixel 8 Pro, is now confirmed to work on the Pixel 8 as well, despite earlier claims from Google that it wouldn’t function on the more affordable model. While retracting previous statements is usually not favorable, this situation has a positive outcome. Gemini Nano, recognized as the most efficient variant of Google’s Gemini AI alongside Gemini Pro and Ultra, was made available on the Pixel 8 Pro in an update in December 2023. Although this was encouraging news, Pixel 8 users were unexpectedly excluded. In a March 2024 episode of the Android Developers podcast, it was then stated that Gemini Nano wouldn’t operate on the non-Pro Pixel 8 due to unclear hardware limitations, which was disappointing for owners of the budget version since it utilizes the same processor as the Pro model.

      For Google Pixel phone owners, exciting new features are on the way.

      One of the great benefits of Google’s Pixel phones is the regular updates provided through Pixel Feature Drops. Although these updates aren’t always thrilling, they occasionally bring welcome enhancements; this month’s Feature Drop falls into the latter category, featuring new additions that will particularly interest users of the recent Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 8 models (as well as the Google Pixel Fold). Meanwhile, older Pixel phones are not entirely excluded from these updates, as there is at least one useful enhancement for the Pixel 6 and a few minor improvements extending back to the Pixel 5a. Let’s explore all the new features.