Global smartwatch maker Garmin is facing growing frustration from customers after widespread reports of device malfunctions, leaving many unable to use their high-end watches.

Users worldwide have complained that their devices either freeze on the start-up screen or display a blue triangle upon powering on. Among the affected models are the Fenix 8, a premium smartwatch retailing for nearly £1,000 ($1,200), as well as several other popular Garmin products.

Garmin has acknowledged the issue but has yet to provide a definitive fix. The company suggested that users attempt a reset or connect their devices to the Garmin app, but admitted that a full factory reset may be necessary in some cases.

However, reports suggest that even this measure has not resolved the problem for all users. “Their instructions don’t fix it, and Garmin is silent,” one frustrated customer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Affected Devices

According to Garmin’s website, the issue impacts several of its leading product lines, including:

• Approach Watch
• Edge Cycling Computers
• Epix Watch
• Fenix Watch
• Forerunner Watch
• Instinct Series Watch
• Vivoactive 4 and 5
• Venu 3 and 3S

The company has yet to confirm the root cause of the issue, but some industry experts speculate that a faulty software update may be preventing devices from properly syncing with GPS signals.

Customer Frustration Grows

As the outage drags on, social media has been flooded with complaints, with many criticizing Garmin for its lack of transparency and slow response.

“You should really prioritize your current customers and the ongoing issue with many watches,” one user posted. Another called the company’s silence “unbelievable,” given the high price tag of Garmin’s products.

Even public figures have weighed in, including Absolute Radio DJ Leona Graham, who shared her own experience with the malfunctioning watch alongside footage of the dreaded blue triangle screen.

Garmin has yet to issue a timeline for a permanent fix, saying only that it will “provide more information when available.”

For now, frustrated users are left waiting – and watching – for answers.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is widely anticipated to lower interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, as inflation trends toward its 2% target and economic growth remains sluggish. The deposit facility rate is expected to decline from 3% to 2.75%, marking its lowest level since February 2023.

While the prevailing economic indicators justify easing monetary policy, potential US trade tariffs could introduce uncertainty for ECB policymakers, adding complexity to the rate-cutting trajectory.

Analysts Predict Further Rate Cuts in 2025

Market analysts foresee additional rate cuts in the coming year. Goldman Sachs economist Sven Jari Stehn expects another 25 basis point reduction at the ECB’s March meeting, with further cuts likely as economic conditions evolve.

“We maintain our forecast for sequential cuts to 1.75% in July, given our projection of subdued growth,” Stehn said. ING analyst Francesco Pesole echoed this sentiment, stating that a “broadly dovish message” from the ECB could pave the way for further rate reductions in the eurozone.

Bank of America predicts rate cuts in both January and March, with a potential terminal rate of 1.5% or lower, increasing the monetary policy divergence with the US Federal Reserve. However, some analysts caution that delays beyond March may occur due to core inflation volatility.

ECB policymakers speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos acknowledged that inflation risks are diverging between the US and the eurozone, with European inflation appearing less severe. None of the ECB speakers highlighted inflation risks arising from recent energy price movements.

Projections for euro area economic growth remain modest, with Bank of America forecasting fourth-quarter growth at 0.1% quarter-on-quarter. Spain is expected to lead (0.5%), followed by Italy (0.2%), while France (-0.1%) and Germany (0.0%) continue to struggle.

Trade Tariffs Introduce New Risks

ECB President Christine Lagarde is likely to face questions during Thursday’s press conference regarding the potential impact of US tariffs on the European economy.

Reports indicate that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is preparing a 2.5% universal tariff, with gradual monthly increases up to 20%. President Donald Trump has signaled support for more aggressive tariffs on key goods, including steel, copper, and semiconductor chips.

News of these trade measures has already impacted currency markets. After briefly strengthening above 1.05 against the dollar, the euro fell to 1.0430 as tariff concerns emerged. “Volatility is likely to continue, and in the short term, the tariff noise is a key driver,” noted BBVA in a Tuesday report.

Tariffs and ECB Policy Outlook

Higher US tariffs on European imports could weigh on eurozone growth, particularly in sectors like machinery and pharmaceuticals, which rely on US exports. In theory, this could reinforce the case for lower interest rates.

However, the inflationary impact of tariffs remains uncertain. If the EU retaliates against US products, or if a weaker euro raises import costs, inflation could rise instead. Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau downplayed these risks, stating at Davos that US tariffs may drive inflation in the US but would have limited impact on the eurozone.

ABN Amro economist Bill Diviney suggested that tariffs may ultimately have a deflationary effect in Europe due to weakened global trade and lower commodity prices. “This is an important factor behind our view that the ECB policy rate will eventually be reduced to 1%,” he said.

As the ECB prepares to announce its decision, investors and policymakers will closely monitor economic data and geopolitical developments to gauge the long-term implications for monetary policy.

Authorities in eastern France have arrested 37 individuals suspected of downloading and distributing child pornography after uncovering more than one million illegal photos and videos. The investigation, led by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional gendarmerie, involved a team of 270 officers, including 36 cybercrime specialists.

Since November, the gendarmerie has been working to track down suspects linked to the illegal distribution of explicit content involving minors. As part of the investigation, officials seized a significant amount of equipment, including 60 computers, 290 hard drives, 27 mobile phones, eight tablets, and four cameras. In addition to the digital devices, authorities also discovered weapons and drugs at four of the arrested individuals’ locations.

This recent operation follows a similar bust in March 2023, when 17 individuals were detained in the same region for similar offenses.

The arrests come as France has recently introduced stricter laws to combat child pornography. Last May, the French government passed legislation requiring online platforms to remove child pornography within 24 hours of a police report. Failure to comply can result in a prison sentence of up to one year and fines of up to €250,000, with the penalties escalating for repeated offenses.

Additionally, the new law mandates that websites and video-sharing platforms implement age verification systems to prevent minors from accessing adult content.

While these efforts are seen as progress, debates continue across Europe regarding the regulation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). A proposed law that would enable digital platforms to scan encrypted communications for illegal material has caused political division. While supporters argue it would help detect and prevent child abuse, a number of EU countries oppose it, citing concerns over privacy and data security.

The surge in child exploitation material is compounded by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate such content. The Internet Watch Foundation, a UK-based charity, has warned of a disturbing rise in AI-generated images and videos of child abuse. The foundation’s concerns reflect the growing complexity of addressing child sexual abuse material in the digital age.