Your Garmin watch just got a major upgrade that makes traveling so much easier

The big screen of the Venu X1 is perfect for Google Maps. 

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

It's summer in New York, and I'm currently navigating around the city, phone in-hand for navigation. Like everyone else, I use Google Maps religiously when I travel: going from the airport to the hotel and to various destinations around town. But I don't actually like being glued to my phone the whole time to check turns, train transfers, and directions. 

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Thankfully, Garmin just announced the release of Google Maps for Garmin watches, which lets me access Google Maps on my smartwatch, freeing up my hands in the process.

The watch communicates with the app on your phone, mirroring directions in a more walk-friendly interface. Even better: it's available now for free on compatible Garmin smartwatches, including select Venu, Forerunner, Vívoactive, and Fenix products. I installed it on the new Garmin Venu X1 and it helped make my trips around the city safer and more efficient.

The Garmin Fenix 8

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

One caveat with this new Google Maps app is that it only works with paired Android smartphones and it will not mirror Google Maps from an iPhone. If you pair your Garmin with an iPhone, you will have to keep an eye out in case support is added in the future.  

Options for the app include vibration on or off and whether or not you want background notifications. If you want to track your trip as a walk, run, or bike ride then you can still use Google Maps and be notified of turns. When your trip is completed, it syncs your activity data to your phone.

Also: I replaced my Apple Watch Ultra with this flagship Garmin model - and didn't regret it

As we see Apple working to add more fitness and health features to its smartwatches, Garmin is enhancing its sports watches to function as smartwatches. Some new Garmin watches, like the Venu X1, support phone calls from the wrist, voice assistants, voice recordings, and more. Personally, I love that the Venu X1 calculator now functions like my Apple Watch Ultra app with an easy tip calculator. 

Garmin's Connect IQ store is also continuing to grow, with Google Maps, Starbucks, Komoot, and more. While WatchOS and WearOS focus on a wide range of apps, Garmin adds some key utilities that enhance the wearable experience while still offering smartwatches that last for weeks compared to days.