- Garmin Fenix 8 Professional is more likely to arrive quickly with LTE functionality
- Fairly than use a third-party information plan, leaks point out Garmin is increasing its inReach messenger service
- In-app code reportedly reveals 4 new subscription tiers
The Garmin Fenix 8 Professional seems to be set to be coming quickly. Whereas it is exhausting to enhance on a five-star, super-premium watch just like the Garmin Fenix 8, the ‘Professional’ tag appears to point a characteristic that the usual fashions do not have already got: LTE functionality.
For the uninitiated, LTE connectivity permits customers to attach a tool to the web or a satellite tv for pc community utilizing a knowledge plan. On one of the best Apple Watches and greatest Android watches, that is generally executed by extending your cellphone’s information plan to additionally embrace your smartwatch for an extra payment.
The smartwatch person can then use their watch like a ‘mini cellphone’ of types, exchanging messages, accessing web companies akin to electronic mail, and even taking calls with out a linked cell phone close by. It looks like Garmin needs to get in on this motion.
Nevertheless, new leaks by way of Devices & Wearables seemingly reveal it is not doing this utilizing third-party networks like different smartwatches. As a substitute, it sounds as if Garmin’s going to be increasing its pre-existing inReach service, a satellite tv for pc messaging performance accessible on devoted Garmin gadgets such because the InReach Mini 2 pictured beneath, used to seek out climate data, talk location, and ship messages exterior of the attain of a traditional cellphone.
Fairly than streaming music and accessing emails for comfort, the Fenix 8 Professional is more likely to be positioned as one of the best Garmin watch to maintain you linked whereas deep on probably the most distant trails, in a position to go locations different watches cannot – therefore the ‘Professional’ moniker.
InReach subscription tiers
Devices & Wearables discovered, within the Garmin Join app, traces of code detailing 4 new inReach tier names: Enabled, Important, Customary, and Premium.
Whereas nothing has been introduced, that is doubtless a brand new growth of the inReach service, and relatively than enable the Fenix 8 Professional to be tied to a plan from the likes of EE or Mint Cellular, Garmin might be preserving every thing in-house.
The a number of subscription tiers do, at first look, increase eyebrows: whilst you pay to attach a watch to an information plan, a number of tiers signifies that relatively than pay a set value to unlock all of the LTE-enabled options on the watch, you are once more paying by tier, with options artificially locked behind one more paywall.
The scenario has echoes of the backlash to the Garmin Join+ premium tier we skilled earlier this yr, when lots of of readers emailed in to voice their displeasure that Garmin was locking options behind a paywall in its health app.
