Garmin's watch-app store finally gets Uber and a few other big names
That's still not enough for Garmin to close the gap with the Apple Watch and Android Wear devices.
Garmin already offers a bunch of cycling computers and fitness wearables like the Forerunner series and newly updated Fenix line, which can help guide you through your workout with minimal trauma. That said, the smartwatches in particular have yet to find much love beyond their original niche use as fitness-first wearables. The company hopes to change that at this year's CES by announcing the release of a number of third-party apps from big-name players including Uber and Trek. But is that enough to catch the industry-leading Apple Watch and all those Android Wear watches?
The company today announced a bunch of apps for its Connect IQ open development platform, from the likes of Uber, Trek, GU Energy Labs and Nuun Active Hydration. Uber, for example, has created the UberETA app, which allows Garmin wearable users to track the status of their incoming driver from their watch rather than their cellphone. Trek, on the other hand, is adding a data field for Garmin's line of Edge GPS bike computers, which helps users monitor the battery status of their connected Bontrager lights and adjust their settings directly from the cyclocomputer itself.
Similarly, GU Energy Labs' new app will integrate with the Edge computer to remind riders when they should suck down some more electrolytic gels to maintain peak performance, while the Nuun watch face and Stryd IQ app will provide step-tracker functionality. All of these apps are available free from the Connect IQ store. That said, this move likely comes too little, too late to gain any appreciable ground on Garmin's more-mainstream competition. For now, then, the company's wearables are still probably at their best as fitness-specific watches.
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