Objective

• Share firmware release notes so customers can understand the improvements being made to the Halo Collar and Halo System. 

To skip to the notes for a specific firmware version, click any of the links below:

Version 01.06.30

Version 01.05.96

Version 01.05.71

Version 01.05.65

Version 01.05.58

Version 01.05.23

Version 01.04.14

Version 01.03.64

Version 01.03.50

Version 01.03.37

Version 1.01.35

Version 1.01.18

Version 1.0.64

Version 0.3.2

Version 0.2.22

Version 0.2.08

Version 0.1.92

Version 0.1.70

Version 0.1.60

Notes

Version 01.06.30 - Most up-to-date version

- Battery life improvements for customers with unstable Wi-Fi connections; will now use LTE more often when Wi-Fi remains unstable
- Other minor improvements

Version 01.05.96

Version 01.05.71

Version 01.05.71

- Fixed some issues introduced in previous releases that could have caused some symptoms with battery level reporting and/or caused the GPS to not operate after upgrade
- Additional bug fixes and improvements

Version 01.05.65

- Halo now supports WPA3-Transition (PSK) Wi-Fi networks as well (NOTE: full WPA3 PSK mode still under development)
- Fixed issue with Warning status shown on Pet Pin while in fence warning area even when fences are off
- Moved several folders off of the 0:\ (user-mountable) drive; they are now stored on a new, internal, fault-tolerant drive
- Upgraded underlying core drivers and chip components - which include bug fixes and improvements
- Additional bug fixes and improvements

Version 01.05.58

• Additional Halo 2+ GPS drift improvement
• FW update improvements to prevent certain rare update issues for some users
• Other bug fixes and improvements

Version 01.05.23

• Further improved Halo 2+ GPS drift issue that was affecting some collars - including updated GPS chip firmware
• Improved LTE connectivity in poor-signal environments
• Other quality improvements and bug fixes

Version 01.04.14

• Upgraded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth IC firmware, which fixes several issues: better range for Bluetooth connections with phones, better Beacon reception rate across all devices, fixed issue that occurred sometimes where Bluetooth would stop with Beacons ON when not on Wi-Fi network
• Logo Light behavior updated (now only blinks on button press or while paired over Bluetooth); will extend battery life and improve usability
• Improved Halo 2+ GPS drift issue (and also upgraded Halo 2+ GNSS IC firmware)
• Minor updates to support new on-boarding screens/flow
• Other quality improvements and bug fixes

Version 01.03.64

1.  Collar can self-repair certain GPS chip issues if they occur on Halo 1 and Halo 2
2.  Added NTP if time is lost - in addition to existing time-sync via GNSS and Cellular network
3.  Improved error handling and diagnostics
4.  Other bug fixes and improvements

Version 01.03.50

- Collar light behavior has been changed to simplify the meaning of each light and eliminate confusion.  For details, see: What do the lights on the collar mean?

- Improved compass performance

- Improved Wi-Fi performance

- Improved error handling and diagnostics

- Other bug fixes and improvements

Version 01.03.37

- Collar supports improved Instant Feedback process from latest Halo app

- Collar supports new GPS Signal Level configuration process from latest Halo app

- Improved battery life remaining reporting

- Removed false 'firmware upgrade encountered issues' notifications

- Other bug fixes and improvements

Version 1.1.35

Fixes/Improvements:
-  Used existing diagnostics to find/fix latent issues and improve error handling - latest version now prevents almost all collar reboots and crashes
-  Added additional diagnostics to daily diagnostic data to better analyze the performance of our collars in the field, including 'Halo 1' issues
-  Improved wired TAR file upgrade method so that future wired upgrades can also use this simpler upgrade method (just copy TAR package to root of collar drive and power on)
-  Improved logic for ending a drive and starting a drive

Version 1.1.18

New Features:
-  Download of Satellite and Firmware files now supported over LTE, in addition to Wi-Fi.  Wi-Fi is still preferred, but if there is no Wi-Fi configuration at all, or we have not been in Wi-Fi range for some quantity of hours, we will use LTE to download these files. 
NOTE:  Since this change is not enabled until the firmware is updated, customers who get this version will immediately benefit from Satellite data download, BUT will not get cellular firmware upgrades until the NEXT firmware is pushed out.
-  New Beacon Function - Ignore Fences.  While in range of this Beacon (regardless of direction dog is facing), the Halo will ignore Fence preventions.  NOTE:  It can still get Keepaway Beacon preventions while in range of this Beacon. 
-  New Pet Card Fence/Beacon safety status - 'Warning' - when dog is getting Warning or Boundary prevention from a Fence or a Keep Away Beacon
-  New Pet Card Fence/Beacon icon/name now included next to Safety Status while inside a fence and/or near a Beacon (whichever has priority)

Fixes/Improvements:
-  Eliminated repeated "Compass Calibration" notices (they were false notices)
-  Improved Beacon consistency
-  Improved LTE performance and connectivity
-  Fixed an issue with some Halo's having Bluetooth connection issues, even right out of the box
-  Improvements to prevent unexpected collar resets, which had resulted in temporary 'connectivity' issues or other symptoms
-  Improved real-time tracking performance while on a drive

Version 1.0.64

1.  Upgraded Halo's Wi-Fi / Bluetooth chip to the latest version. This provides more stable performance, including better connectivity and more consistent Beacon performance
2.  Added support for new app feature - My Beacons (Keep Away function only)Version 1.0.64
3.  Other bug fixes and enhancements

Version 0.3.2

New features (require upcoming app release):

• Collar now calculates (and estimates) remaining battery life dynamically each time it is used (starting over each time it is unplugged), and sends low and critical battery warnings when it determines that there are about :90 minutes and then :30 minutes of battery life remaining.  Updated in-app warnings will be available in a coming app release.
• Collar now segregates beacon vs. fence preventions for display on historical Prevention charts.

Improvements:

• Improved location accuracy when your dog starts and stops moving in locations with sub-optimal GNSS reception
• Improved performance of fence and beacon preventions through faster start/stop movement recognition and improved compass-heading performance 
• Now all preventions (and associated details) are logged to the collar's internal disk drive to assist with certain customer service tickets

Fixes:

• Logo light stays off, regardless of other conditions, while collar is stationary

Version 0.2.22

• Resolved a battery life issue for customers whose LTE coverage is poor or non-existent; now, battery life is expected to range from 12-16 hours for most conditions/customers.
• Updated logic to ensure that Pet Pins don’t move on the while your collar is stationary while in Hybrid GPS in anticipation of the next app release
• Ability to adjust default indoor/outdoor thresholds for users who have not yet customized their settings (click here for instructions on how to customize your indoor/outdoor settings)
• Resolved an issue with Warning Area feedback for some scenarios, caused by unusually-shaped fences
• Resolved one uncommon cause that made the collar stop powering on (showing no light activity when plugged in)
• Fixed an issue that would sometimes cause a collar that was charging to toggle its Battery light red/yellow instead of blinking green

Version 0.2.08

1. Location accuracy is significantly improved - especially when your dog first goes outside - through the use of "A-GNSS" technology. 7-Day satellite position data is downloaded - as often as once per day - over WiFi while your Halo is charging. Your Halo's GPS light will turn solid PINK for about 60 seconds while the data is being loaded. As a result, your Halo will no longer need time to calibrate to GPS signals, as it will have already downloaded satellite position data prior to going outside. 
   • This newly-implemented technology will also minimize stray GPS readings and allow the collar to work better when it is in Hybrid GPS mode. 
2. Beacon behavior has been updated to be more consistent with fence warning area behavior; Like before, when your dog enters the Beacon zone, it will receive Warning and then Boundary Feedback while moving into the zone; But now, feedback will stop as soon as your dog turns around - even if still in the Beacon zone.
3. Static output levels are now more consistent (removed an issue that sometimes caused inconsistent sensation between consecutive static prompts)
4. Fixed an issue which caused Hybrid GPS 'return whistles' to be logged incorrectly in pet statistic charts; they are now correctly counted as 'encouragements'
5. Additional WiFi performance improvements
6. Other general fixes and enhancements

Version 0.1.92

Hybrid GPS Feature

In addition to the “Indoor GPS” and “Outdoor GPS” status options, your Pet Card may now show “Hybrid GPS” in one of two situations: either the collar is indoors but still receiving some GPS signals, or the collar is outdoors but GPS signals are somewhat obstructed. 

If your dog is in a location with hybrid GPS signals, your Pet Card will show “Hybrid GPS” and your collar will avoid sending ‘false’ Prevention Feedback caused by diminished GPS. Now, it will send a Return Whistle if it detects that your dog is approaching or bypassing a fence boundary. This ensures that your dog receives safety guidance to stay contained within his or her fence. Please make sure your dog is trained on the Return Whistle!

While in a “Hybrid GPS” state, your Pet Pin will still move on the map, and you will see a blue GPS icon on the Pet Pin.

Improved Indoor/Outdoor Algorithm

The collar’s indoor/outdoor detection system is now more effective through ongoing analysis of GPS data, which will improve GPS accuracy. 

Improved Containment Responsiveness

We have upgraded the Halo Collar’s directional sensitivity, so it will stop giving Prevention Feedback as soon as your dog turns around and heads back to safety. 

Collar Light Updates

Our latest firmware update includes a few changes to the Lights on the Halo Collar. Please see below for the most up-to-date meanings of the collar’s GPS and Logo Lights. For a complete summary of the collar’s lights and what they mean, please refer to the article What do the lights on the collar mean?

High GPS Signal Strength:

• GPS light blinks BLUE once per second
• Halo Logo blinks Blue 4x when entering this state

Medium GPS Signal Strength:

• GPS light blinks Pink once every 2 seconds 
• Halo Logo blinks Pink 4x when entering this state

Low GPS Signal Strength

• GPS light shows no activity
• Halo Logo blinks White 4x when entering this state

GPS needs calibration: 

• GPS light flashes RED for 3 seconds then off for 3 seconds
• Halo Logo shows no activity​

Version 0.1.70

Battery Life Improvement

Enhanced LTE power management reduces battery consumption by approximately 75% while connected via cellular, and now matches the extended battery life your collar has while connected to WiFi. This major improvement will increase your collar’s typical battery life while using LTE to approximately 12-16 hours — providing you with significantly more flexible, longer-term coverage throughout the day.

Prevention Feedback Updates

Your Halo Collar is constantly calculating and calibrating its GPS accuracy for optimal performance. In some uncommon cases while in areas with a weaker GPS connection (for example, while under dense overhead coverage), a collar may have previously delayed sending its Prevention Feedback while recalculating GPS accuracy. With Version 0.1.70, your collar will no longer delay Preventions in outdoor areas with weaker GPS, and will instead send a Return Whistle if it detects that your dog is approaching or bypassing a fence boundary. This change means your collar will avoid sending ‘false’ Prevention Feedback caused by diminished GPS in those areas, while still ensuring that your dog receives safety guidance to stay contained within their fences.

Additionally, we resolved a rare issue in which some overlapping Protection Zones previously caused notifications to be associated with the wrong fence.

Power Down

Since your dog is not wearing their Halo while it is plugged in to charge, you can now easily power down your Halo Collar by holding the ON button for five seconds while connected to power in any orientation. When off the charger, your collar still needs to be upside down (USB port up) and resting (not moving) in order to turn off the collar. This prevents your dog from inadvertently powering off the collar.

Faster Firmware Upgrades

Moving forward, future firmware downloads over WiFi will take under 2 minutes (as opposed to 30 minutes).

Fewer GPS Calibration Notifications

Version 0.1.70 will now prevent extra GPS calibration notifications. GPS calibration should only be required after the collar has been turned off for three or more days, or in rare cases following a firmware upgrade.

WiFi/LTE Connectivity

Improved transition time between WiFi and LTE to under three seconds. Previously, it could have taken up to 30-45 seconds.

Sound Improvements

We have solved occasional audio playback stuttering when multiple instances of Instant Feedback were sent via Bluetooth in quick succession.

Version 0.1.60

GPS Reliability Improvement

Firmware version 0.1.60 features a new algorithm which prevents the GPS from “jumping” to a new location when your Halo’s accelerometer registers new motion, or a transition from indoor GPS to outdoor GPS. This means that the GPS will now move more gradually, making the position appear more ‘stable’. This should also eliminate certain unexpected Preventions that occurred rarely for some users, either while inside the fence or just after leaving the house. 

GPS Calibration

New in-app calibration notices will now be available with the newest firmware release (version 0.1.60). In addition to your collar’s GPS light blinking RED, you will also now receive in-app notifications to notify you that a GPS calibration is required. This means that it is necessary to bring your Halo Collar outside in “open air” to recalibrate its connection to satellites. When calibration is completed, the GPS light will blink RED. You will also receive an in-app notification that calibration has been completed. 

Power Button Improvements

Based on excellent feedback from some of our Early Adopters, this new firmware release will also feature a change to the power button’s “power-down” cycle. Now, “Powering Off” the collar occurs while holding the Power Button and the collar is resting with the USB port facing up (toward the ceiling). Otherwise, the button press is ignored. This should prevent 'accidental' button presses.

Additional Reliability Improvements

Firmware version 0.1.60 will fix a rare issue that required the collar to be reset prior to allowing your phone to establish a Bluetooth connection. In addition, general performance improvements have been implemented with regard to communications and connectivity across Bluetooth, WiFi, and motion sensing.