Garmin has launched Garmin Connect Plus, a subscription service designed to enhance the user experience for its devices.

Susan Lyman, Garmin's Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing, expressed enthusiasm about the personalized data and enriched features that Connect+ offers.

This subscription provides exclusive coaching guidance and videos, expanding on the free resources previously available through Garmin Coach.

Garmin faces stiff competition from major players like Apple and Samsung, as well as fitness apps like Strava, which charge for similar features.

Users following Garmin's training plans will gain access to expert guidance and educational content from Garmin coaches to improve their performance.

Features within Connect+ are categorized into analytics, training, and social sharing, many of which were previously expected to be free.

Critics have raised concerns that the AI insights offered by Connect+ may not significantly differ from existing features, questioning the overall value of the subscription.

The new Performance Dashboard will deliver a comprehensive view of stats and charts, optimized for larger screens, enhancing the tracking experience.

Health tech expert Ray Maker noted that while previous Garmin subscriptions were for third-party services, Connect+ features are primarily in-house software that users anticipated would be included without extra charges.

User frustration is mounting, with many customers expressing dissatisfaction on platforms like Reddit, leading to calls for a boycott of the new service.

Despite past commitments to free accessibility, Garmin's introduction of subscriptions raises questions about user acceptance, particularly among loyal customers.

A widely supported Reddit post argues against signing up for the subscription, claiming it undermines the usability of Garmin's expensive devices.