Pulled Huawei Watch listing may back claims of Android Wear coming to iOS
A deleted Amazon page for the upcoming Huawei Watch may add to evidence that Google is planning to make the Android Wear platform compatible with iOS devices.
The listing claimed that the Huawei Watch will ship Sept. 2, and be compatible not just with "most devices" running Android 4.3 or later but also iOS 8.2, according to The Verge. The wording leaves open the possibility of pairing with an iPad or iPod touch, although that would be of limited usefulness even on 4G-equipped iPads.
Previous rumors have pointed to Google working on iOS support for many months, but a device shipping with the technology as soon as Sept. 2 would come as a surprise announcement. The Amazon listing was presumably a mistake, whether in terms of its quoted release date, iOS compatibility, or being posted too early.
To bridge the gap between platforms, Google could release a companion iOS app capable of pushing notifications and Google Now cards to a watch, as well as processing voice commands. Some functions might be dependent on having other Google apps installed as well, such as Gmail.
Android Wear devices have sold relatively slowly, especially in light of Apple Watch estimates, but could gain a much larger audience if they were suddenly compatible with both major smartphone platforms. The Apple Watch is so far iPhone-exclusive, with no signs that an Android app is in the works.
The listing claimed that the Huawei Watch will ship Sept. 2, and be compatible not just with "most devices" running Android 4.3 or later but also iOS 8.2, according to The Verge. The wording leaves open the possibility of pairing with an iPad or iPod touch, although that would be of limited usefulness even on 4G-equipped iPads.
Previous rumors have pointed to Google working on iOS support for many months, but a device shipping with the technology as soon as Sept. 2 would come as a surprise announcement. The Amazon listing was presumably a mistake, whether in terms of its quoted release date, iOS compatibility, or being posted too early.
To bridge the gap between platforms, Google could release a companion iOS app capable of pushing notifications and Google Now cards to a watch, as well as processing voice commands. Some functions might be dependent on having other Google apps installed as well, such as Gmail.
Android Wear devices have sold relatively slowly, especially in light of Apple Watch estimates, but could gain a much larger audience if they were suddenly compatible with both major smartphone platforms. The Apple Watch is so far iPhone-exclusive, with no signs that an Android app is in the works.
Comments
The wording leaves open the possibility of pairing with an iPad or iPod touch, although that would be of limited usefulness even on 4G-equipped iPads.
No doubt pairing with an iPad would have limited usefulness to a device like the ?Watch, when contemplating all of its features, but ultimately how useful such a pairing would be depends on the users needs.
The ?Watch can already do a whole bunch of things without an iPhone: Tell Time, provide alarms and reminders, Provide a map and directions, track fitness, play music, ?Pay, and check some notifications at the local Starbucks where you once used your phone. With the addition of Watch OS2, presumably there will be even greater autonomy than at present, especially with native apps.
So what can't the ?Watch do without an iPhone? Make phone calls from it. Receive and respond to notifications everywhere your phone has service. Track a position using GPS? Some people simply don't have a need for that level of connectivity.
I see pairing with an iPad as a positive, since it expands the user base for the watch, especially if it's used primarily around the house or work, where presumably it can always be connected to the internet. If someone works in the field all day then this is obviously not ideal. But for many it would be.
What else are you gonna do? If you're Huawei, there's no money to be made in the phone business.
I think it's very likely. Don't think of a potential Android Wear device as being a direct competitor to the Apple Watch, but something more niche that just happens to run Android. For example, a robust medical device that uses Android as the base OS.
Who cares about el cheapos....
There's many reasons someone who owns an iPhone might opt for a non-Apple smartwatch.
Or an Apple owner who just doesn't want to spend several hundred on a smartwatch. . .
What do you think it'll be priced at? Substantially enough less than $350 to make it attractive to buyers, and yet make a profit? Really?
What is the pricing on their iPhone-equivalent smartphones?
But the rumors on this watch suggest it will be priced from $350 to $800 for the gold plated version.
$350 to $800
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/08/28/huawei-watch-pre-order-amazon/
But the rumors on this watch suggest it will be priced from $350 to $800 for the gold plated version.
You can't be serious....
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" /> (too bad there isn't an emoticon for 'clutching my sides when laughing')...
How do you make a cheap goldplated watch?
I'm not convinced that trying to mimic traditional watches that closely is the right idea. If you're not using high-end materials it's just going to look like a cheap knockoff, which is the case with many of these Android Wear watches.
A couple weeks ago I read an interesting piece from someone who went to Switzerland to ask Swiss watchmakers about Apple Watch. They didn't talk to CEOs of the big conglomerates but the actual worker bees making these products. They all had a high praise for the build quality of the watch and we're impressed by the fact Apple used real gold. One other impression I got from the story was they liked the fact Apple didn't try to copy an existing traditional watch. Apple Watch isn't trying to look like a Rolex. Some of these Android Wear watches try to hard in that department.
Remember how WinMo use to mimic Windows desktop by using a Start button and other design elements to make it familiar? It wasn't the same code so MS had to purposely design it to look that way. Well that isn't the way WinPhone is done now and everyone uses the basic foundation popularized by the original iPhone. Even with the additional style aspect of the watch I expect the round watch display will fall away for a more practical design.
The interesting about an aviator watch (and many other watch types for specific jobs or sports) is they are designed with functionality in mind. Yet a round smartwatch face isn't about functionality more than trying to mimic a traditional watch that is highly functional in design. Historically this doesn't work for long.
Wow that looks like a cheap Rolex wannabe. And Android Wear watch renders always look better than the product in real life. Here's the real thing:
Ah yes. In real life an Android watch is so bright you can't even see it, based on your photos. I realize you have a fanatical bias against round smartwatches, but at least be honest with your presentation. Even Apple uses renders in their marketing. And certainly a candid photo can make any backlit display look just as bad as the ones in these photos you posted.
And you also realize there's a huge market for rolex-like watches? Every major watchmaker has a similar model. Watches are jewelry for many people, and there's a lot of ugly watches and a lot of elegant watches, and a lot of in-between. And people buy them despite what you think about it. Apple has not even begun to face any competition from another smartwatch maker -- Samsung has it all wrong. The traditional watchmakers haven't even begun to start putting their design expertise into smartwatches, whatever they may run.
Or someone who just doesn't like a square smartwatch. Or someone that is more attracted to aviator styles.
Exactly. People want what they want. Jony Ive has already acknowledged this with respect to wearables. If someone can devise a round watch UI that doesn't compromise the information people want from it, then there's no reason not to wear one. Moreover, ?Watch is a fashion item as Apple has laboriously highlighted in its marketing. Many fashion items, including clothing are often incredibly impractical, yet it doesn't stop them from being widely worn. Frankly, I just don't know why this is a debate.
Wow that looks like a cheap Rolex wannabe. And Android Wear watch renders always look better than the product in real life. Here's the real thing:
That poor woman. Sold into slavery and forced to get a Huawei tattoo.