Android Wear support may soon arrive on Apple's iPhone
Google is almost ready to bring support for Android Wear devices to the iPhone, but public availability will be dependent not only on Apple approval but whether Google decides to release it, a new report claims.
Citing a source close to the project team, The Verge reported on Thursday that Google is "close to finishing the final technical details," and that in the technology's current state, Wear devices would support many of the same functions they're capable of when paired with Android phones. Through a companion iOS app, Wear owners would be able to get notifications, Google Now cards, and voice commands such as search.
More complex features, like replying to email, might be dependent on a person installing other Google apps such as Gmail. Also ambiguous is whether people would have access to functions like music controls, but that is already supported by Pebble smartwatches, which pair with both iOS and Android.
Google is likely to want to bring Android Wear to the iPhone, since while it doesn't make any smartwatches itself, support could strengthen the Android ecosystem and increase the use of its services.
There has been speculation that Apple may be resistant to allowing its chief rival to compete with the Apple Watch, which ships April 24. But the company may not have any reasonable basis for objection, given that Pebble is already on the App Store and targeting Google might be seen as anti-competitive.
Word of Android Wear coming to the iPhone first emerged in early March. It was suggested that Google could announce official support at May's Google I/O conference, but that it might arrive even earlier with the Apple Watch soon to launch.
Citing a source close to the project team, The Verge reported on Thursday that Google is "close to finishing the final technical details," and that in the technology's current state, Wear devices would support many of the same functions they're capable of when paired with Android phones. Through a companion iOS app, Wear owners would be able to get notifications, Google Now cards, and voice commands such as search.
More complex features, like replying to email, might be dependent on a person installing other Google apps such as Gmail. Also ambiguous is whether people would have access to functions like music controls, but that is already supported by Pebble smartwatches, which pair with both iOS and Android.
Google is likely to want to bring Android Wear to the iPhone, since while it doesn't make any smartwatches itself, support could strengthen the Android ecosystem and increase the use of its services.
There has been speculation that Apple may be resistant to allowing its chief rival to compete with the Apple Watch, which ships April 24. But the company may not have any reasonable basis for objection, given that Pebble is already on the App Store and targeting Google might be seen as anti-competitive.
Word of Android Wear coming to the iPhone first emerged in early March. It was suggested that Google could announce official support at May's Google I/O conference, but that it might arrive even earlier with the Apple Watch soon to launch.
Comments
Who/what is an 'Android Wear'?
There are very few Android Wear devices out there, and most of them were probably bought by die-hard Android fans who'd never go near an iPhone.
Then again, it would be funny if sales of Android Wear devices took off and iOS users buying them surpassed Android users. What a slap to the face that would be.
I believe it's pronounced 'Android Where'. It's a competition to see if you can spot anyone actually using Android devices to backup their activation numbers. You win a watch if you can spot anyone.
I would have probably purchased the Motorola watch had they supported iOs at or near when it launched.
Adding support several months after launch and just when the Apple watch is going to launch? Nope. If they cared about the users instead of the platform, support for iOs users would have been there all along and that tells me all I need to know.
It's how a gatorguy is attired.
I know it's all about consumer choice, but why would anyone with an iPhone even want to attempt using such trash as an Android watch?
I believe it's pronounced 'Android Where'. It's a competition to see if you can spot anyone actually using Android devices to backup their activation numbers. You win a watch if you can spot anyone.
I've actually seen a few Moto 360s, mostly because they are a complete eyesore.
They look good in renders, but they look terrible on wrists. You can spot from a mile away.
I would love a second or third gen. Moto 360 that allowed you to respond to notifications through voice. Don't think Apple will allow this though. Hope I'm wrong.
I think it's slightly amusing that some articles are painting this as some sort of sneaky move where Google is going to jiu-jitsu Apple and steal the Apple Watch's thunder and/or profits.
To me, it's just one less reason to consider an Android phone over an iPhone (which, of course, is the real money-maker). If Android feels the need to hitch to Apple's star to find success, I don't see how that's a bad thing.
I believe it's pronounced 'Android Where'. It's a competition to see if you can spot anyone actually using Android devices to backup their activation numbers. You win a watch if you can spot anyone.
Do you ever get out of your posh villa? Because in Real Life, lots and lots of people use Androids. Even my own elder sister has one of the things, though my youngest sister got a brand new iPhone last week, which kind of compensates the shame
I've actually seen a few Moto 360s, mostly because they are a complete eyesore.
They look good in renders, but they look terrible on wrists. You can spot from a mile away.
Tell me about it. It looks huge, like a hockey puck, and the way the straps connect looks horrible.
Yes. One of my friends has a Moto360 and its as ugly as sin. The thickness of it is what makes it look so horrible. My friend is not a small guy, but still the Moto looks like a hockey puck on his wrist.
Yup not ugly, but hardly a fashion statement is it? they could have 'hidden' some of the depth by making the strap connect anywhere except where they had to do it, and the reason they had to fit it there was otherwise the diameter would have been effectively increased
I would imagine, that every 'smart' watch manufacturer that wants to become relevant, is going to go away from round faces to square ones. Round can look cool when displaying the analog watch face, but for every other screen its just awkward.
I think we all know what the v2 version of all smart watches will look like after the Apple Watch is released. It'll be like smart phones after the iPhone, all over again.
yes- either square faced, or, squishy. In squish mode the shape changes - round when its displaying analog hands, square when its displaying anything else. Samsung managed to bend an LCD round a corner, to dramatic but sofa useless effect - maybe they can do the Samsung Squishable.