Hello everyone,
In this release, we’ve focused on making sensor-based studies more reliable and participant-friendly. Highlights include new notifications to detect gaps in Garmin sensor data, improved Garmin settings for more intuitive configuration of height, weight, and age, and several fixes for surveys, translations, and mobile onboarding. We’ve also strengthened our SensorKit data gap handling and updated the Garmin SDK to improve long-term stability.
New Features
Sensor Data Gap Detection Notification
We introduced a new notification template for detecting gaps in sensor data streams, currently supporting the Garmin Wrist Status data source. This feature monitors whether data is missing or indicates the device is not worn for a defined period and triggers alerts accordingly. For more details, see our Reference.
Improvements
Garmin Settings for Weight, Height, and Age
We improved the Garmin settings screen so that weight, height, and age behave more like the watch and stay consistent across iOS and Android. When using imperial units, weight uses stone and pounds, and height uses feet and inches. We also tightened the age control to require participants to be at least 16 years old before they can complete setup.
Bug Fixes
Percent-Encoded URLs in Page Activities
We fixed an issue where URLs with percent-encoded query parameters were not preserved correctly in page activities and were decoded into spaces when saved, causing validation failures on reload. Now, URLs are stored exactly as entered, ensuring compatibility with validation rules and consistent behavior.
Blank Answer Options From Cleared Translations
We addressed an issue where clearing translations for choice-based question options resulted in empty values being saved and displayed as blank answers to participants. Now, when a translation is cleared, the field is removed, ensuring only valid translations are stored and displayed.
Incorrect “Unreachable Question” Error
We resolved an issue where surveys could not be published when a mandatory Text question was disabled, but intended to be enabled via a multiple-answer question (MAQ). The validator incorrectly flagged this question as unreachable and blocked publishing. Now, MAQ-controlled questions are correctly treated as reachable, allowing valid surveys to be published.
Garmin Device Identifier
We fixed an issue where multiple paired Garmin devices could report the same device identifier (UUID), causing their settings and sync timestamps to overwrite each other. We now handle devices with unique identifiers and keep their stored data isolated.
Welcome Page Display
We resolved an issue in the iOS app where the welcome page appeared first when opening the app for participants who were already logged in. Now, the welcome page only appears under the appropriate conditions, such as for new participants or after a sign-out.
Bluetooth Permission Prompt in Beacon-Based Studies
We addressed an issue where studies using Bluetooth Beacons could trigger the iOS Bluetooth permission prompt as soon as participants opened the app, even before any Bluetooth features were actually used. The app now asks for Bluetooth access only when a study truly needs it, reducing surprise prompts and keeping permissions aligned with study activity.
Technical Updates
SensorKit Data Gap Handling
We improved SensorKit data collection by extending query windows for data sources that report usage in fixed time intervals, such as Device Usage, Message Usage, and Phone Usage. When a report returns fewer data points than expected, we now re-query the gaps, reducing data loss.
Garmin SDK Update
We updated our Garmin SDK integration from version 4.8.3 to 4.10.0, bringing in Garmin’s latest stability improvements, bug fixes, and sync reliability enhancements for supported devices.
Thank you for your continued feedback and support, which helps us make Avicenna Research better with each release. We hope you find these updates useful. As always, we welcome your feedback and encourage you to reach out with any comments or questions on our Community Forum or contact us directly via Email. Stay tuned for more updates coming your way!