Firmware 4.1.1 brings PIN protection and training tweaks to Polar Ignite 3
Polar Ignite 3 has received firmware version 4.1.1. The update adds Find My Phone, charging during workouts, new watch faces, improved swim and training stats, and the option to set a PIN code.
Little touches that add convenience
You can now use the watch to find your phone. It works off Bluetooth, showing whether your phone is near or far, and lets you trigger a sound if it’s within range. It’s tucked into the quick settings when you’re on the main screen. During training sessions, it’s in the pre-start and pause menus. Basic, but helpful.
Another small change: you can finally charge the watch while exercising. It won’t interrupt your session, as long as you keep the contacts clean and dry. Not sure why you would need this, but it is there.
The watch also picks up internal notifications. These aren’t smartphone alerts, but built-in nudges like sync reminders or planned training prompts. You’ll also get a heads-up if you’ve left your phone behind. You can filter which of these you want in the settings.
A fresh look and better day-to-day usability
This update brings more visual options. Polar has added two new analog and three new digital watch face layouts. The fresh designs include capsule-shaped widgets for faster access to key info.
The training start and pause screens have been cleaned up too. Sport icons are now smaller, which makes it quicker to scroll through them. GPS status is clearer with a color-coded button. Orange while acquiring, green when locked in.
Training feedback gets a tune-up
Cardio Load Status has always tried to tell you how your training is affecting your body, but it could be a bit blunt. Too many people saw “Overreaching” too soon. That’s been tweaked now. There’s a new “Recovering” label to show when your recent sessions have been intense and you’re easing off. You’ll also see “Productive” more often instead of the old warnings, especially when getting started with Training Load Pro.
Security and sharing finally get their own settings
For those who care about data security, the watch now supports a six-digit PIN code. Once it’s set, it locks automatically when you take it off your wrist. You’ll need the code to unlock it again. It’s not going to stop a thief, but it will at least keep your data private.
There’s also a new shortcut for broadcasting your heart rate. You can now enable that directly on the watch in pre-training mode. It’s useful when syncing with external devices like gym equipment. One thing to note: the setting is off by default for all sport profiles now, so if you rely on that feature, you’ll need to switch it back on manually.
A few swim and sleep upgrades
If you swim laps indoors, your post-session breakdown is now more detailed. You’ll see your stroke type along with distance, pace, time and SWOLF.
Sleep tracking also gets a small upgrade. A new graph has been added to visualise your sleep structure in more detail.
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