Introduction:
Garmin has introduced an intriguing update to its wearables – wrist temperature tracking. This feature, embedded in watches boasting the newer Garmin ELEVATE V5 optical heart rate sensor, is making waves in the Garmin world. Specifically rolled out on watches like the Garmin Epix Pro, Fenix 7 Pro, Tactix 7 AMOLED, and Venu 3 series, this update comes as part of the broader Garmin Q4 2023 wearables update, ushering in a slew of new features.
The Quarterly Evolution:
Garmin's commitment to regular updates is evident in its quarterly program, introduced about 18 months ago. The Q4 2023 update brings several notable additions to their latest Outdoor & Fitness watches. Running Power & Running Dynamics extend to the Venu 3, Nap tracking becomes widespread within the listed products, and a new 'Workouts' app consolidates planned workouts efficiently. Notably, the update also includes the introduction of skin temperature monitoring.
The Big Ticket Items:
Among the diverse enhancements, skin temperature monitoring stands out. Notably absent from the public beta testing, it quietly made its way into the latest update. The feature is exclusive to Garmin's ELEVATE V5 watches, distinguishing them from their predecessors. These include the Garmin Epix Pro, Fenix 7 Pro, Tactix 7 AMOLED, and Venu 3 series. Notably, the MARQ Carbon or Descent Mk3 watches, based on the older ELEVATE V4 sensors, miss out on this advancement.
Understanding Skin Temperature Monitoring:
This novel feature focuses on collecting wrist temperature data during sleep. Users need to sleep for three nights to establish a baseline, akin to Apple's approach. Interestingly, this baseline is specific to the individual watch. Switching between compatible watches resets the baseline, ensuring accuracy in temperature variations.
Data Presentation and Analysis:
The collected data is presented in the Garmin Connect app, showcasing nightly deviations from the established baseline. Unlike exact temperature values, users observe relative changes, allowing trend analysis over different time periods. Garmin notes that the temperature data is baselined 20 days back, accommodating adjustments for environmental shifts.
Current Utility and Future Potential:
The pivotal question remains – is this data useful? Presently, Garmin's implementation leans toward fertility-focused applications, akin to industry counterparts like Whoop and Oura. However, Garmin has yet to implement forward-looking period prediction based on skin temperature data. The dynamic nature of environmental factors, such as room temperature and sleep environment, introduces complexities to the accuracy of this data.
Challenges and Outlook:
While Garmin excels in female health tracking, recent years have seen a slight dip in the proactive use of available data. The introduction of the Gen5 sensor and wrist temperature tracking positions Garmin to revitalize this aspect. As the firmware update unfolds, the integration of skin temperature data with existing cycle tracking metrics in Garmin Connect is a plausible next step.
Beyond fertility tracking, explorations into how skin temperature data correlates with sickness are underway. Yet, challenges persist in mitigating environmental influences on data accuracy, especially in real-world scenarios where variables are diverse.
Conclusion:
Garmin's foray into skin temperature monitoring marks a significant step in advancing the capabilities of their wearables. While the current utility may be limited, the potential for growth and refinement is evident. As Garmin continues to leverage technological advancements, users can anticipate more sophisticated applications of skin temperature data in the future. As with any technological stride, these initial steps set the stage for a more nuanced understanding of our bodies and well-being.