Voice is the future of running watches—and microphones are now essential.
In the ongoing race to make technology feel less like a tool and more like a companion, Coros has released a software update that brings voice control and AI-adjacent features to its fitness watches — closing a gap with Apple and Garmin while signaling a broader belief that the human voice, not the fingertip, is the future of wearable interaction. The update, arriving today for existing hardware, reflects a quiet but meaningful shift in how fitness companies are thinking about the relationship between athlete and device. CEO Lewis Wu's insistence that microphone-equipped watches are now essential purchases suggests this moment is less about a feature drop and more about a philosophical bet on where human-machine intimacy is heading.
- Coros enters the voice-control arena in beta, matching capabilities that Apple Watch and Garmin users have long taken for granted — the pressure to catch up is now visibly resolved.
- The feature runs deeper than a simple start-stop command: athletes can adjust treadmill speed, switch track lanes, or log a fishing catch mid-session, blurring the line between coach and device.
- CEO Lewis Wu is framing microphone hardware as a future-proofing necessity, raising the stakes for consumers deciding which watch to buy and signaling that AI integration is imminent.
- Alongside voice, the update delivers Custom Photo Sharing for social media, refined rep-counting in Strength Mode, and smarter Auto Laps for circular routes — a broad refresh that rewards existing owners without requiring new hardware.
- A follow-up interview detailing Coros' full AI roadmap arrives next week, leaving the most consequential part of the story deliberately unresolved and building anticipation.
Coros has released a significant software update today, pulling its smartwatch lineup into closer competition with Apple and Garmin through a feature that has quietly become the new standard in premium fitness wearables: voice control. Currently in beta, the capability works on microphone-equipped models like the Pace 4 and Apex 4, allowing users to launch and manage workouts entirely hands-free by holding the action button and speaking.
What sets the implementation apart is its depth. Beyond starting a run or a walk, users can make mid-workout adjustments — changing treadmill speed, switching lanes on a track, or even logging a catch while fishing. Standard voice tasks like reminders and Find My Phone are also supported. Early adopters can join a beta program ahead of the wider rollout.
The update reflects a deliberate strategic direction. Coros CEO Lewis Wu has stated plainly that voice is the future of running watches, and that microphone-equipped hardware should be considered essential for anyone who wants their device to remain relevant in the years ahead. A fuller account of the company's AI ambitions is expected in a follow-up interview next week.
The rest of the update serves serious athletes across disciplines. A Custom Photo Sharing tool lets users pair workout metrics — speed, elevation, and more — with a personal photo, producing a vertical graphic ready for Instagram or Strava. Strength Mode now allows rep and intensity edits both on the watch and in the companion app after a session, with improved rep-counting accuracy. Runners who favor loops will appreciate Auto Laps' new position-based option, which marks a lap each time the user returns to their starting point — ideal for hill repeats or neighborhood circuits. The Control Center has also been reorganized for faster navigation.
The update is available immediately, delivering a meaningful upgrade to existing hardware. For Coros users already holding a microphone-equipped watch, the voice beta is live now — and the company's larger AI story is still unfolding.
Coros is pushing its smartwatch lineup forward with a significant software update that arrives today, bringing the brand into closer competition with established players like Apple and Garmin. The centerpiece is voice control—currently in beta—which lets users command their watches hands-free, a feature that has become table stakes in the premium fitness watch market.
The voice feature works on Coros watches equipped with microphones, including the Pace 4 and Apex 4 models. Users can press and hold the action button to launch workouts by voice alone, whether that's a run, a walk, or trail biking. But the system goes deeper than simple on-off commands. You can adjust specifics mid-workout: switch lanes during a track run, change treadmill speed on the fly, or even log a catch while fishing. The watch also handles the usual voice tasks—setting reminders, triggering Find My Phone—that have become routine on wearables. Coros is inviting early adopters into a beta program to test the feature before a wider rollout.
This move aligns with the company's broader strategic direction. Michael Sawh recently sat down with Coros CEO Lewis Wu, who made clear that voice represents the company's vision for the future of running watches. Wu argued that anyone shopping for a fitness watch should prioritize models with built-in microphones, positioning them as essential for devices that will remain relevant years from now. The company plans to discuss its full AI strategy in a follow-up interview next week.
Beyond voice, the update addresses several other areas that matter to serious runners and strength athletes. A new Custom Photo Sharing feature lets users combine their workout stats with a photo of their choice, creating a vertical graphic ready for Instagram or Strava. The overlay displays metrics like speed and elevation, turning a training session into something shareable. Strength Mode has been refined with the ability to edit reps and intensity either on the watch itself or through the companion app after a session ends, and the watch's rep-counting accuracy has improved.
For runners who favor loops and circuits, Auto Laps now offers two options: set laps by distance, or by position, so the watch marks a new lap when you return to your starting point. This is particularly useful for hill repeats or circular routes through a neighborhood or park. The Control Center interface has also been reorganized for quicker access to frequently used functions.
The update rolls out immediately, giving Coros users a meaningful refresh without requiring new hardware. For those with microphone-equipped models, the voice beta is available now through the company's beta program. The second half of the CEO interview, which will detail Coros' AI roadmap, arrives next week.
Notable Quotes
Voice is the future. If you want future-proof hardware or a running watch, consider those with a microphone.— Lewis Wu, Coros CEO
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does voice control matter so much that Coros made it the headline feature?
Because it removes friction. When you're mid-run, stopping to tap a screen to change a setting breaks your rhythm. Voice lets you stay in motion and stay focused on the workout itself.
But Coros is late to this. Apple and Garmin have had voice for years.
True, but Coros has always been the scrappier brand—lighter watches, longer battery life, simpler software. Adding voice without bloating the experience is harder than it sounds. They're catching up, but they're doing it on their own terms.
The CEO said people should buy watches with microphones now. That's a pretty bold claim.
He's betting that voice becomes as standard as GPS. If he's right, watches without mics will feel incomplete in five years. If he's wrong, it's just a nice feature some people use.
What about the photo sharing feature? That seems almost frivolous compared to voice.
It's not frivolous—it's social. Runners share their workouts constantly. Making that sharing prettier and easier keeps people engaged with the app and the community. It's a retention tool dressed up as a feature.
Does this update make Coros watches worth buying over a Garmin or Apple Watch?
For runners specifically, maybe. Coros watches are lighter, the battery lasts longer, and the running features are genuinely thoughtful. Voice control closes a gap, but it doesn't make Coros the obvious choice yet. It makes them competitive.