Google's Android Wear gains compatibility with Apple's iPhone
Google on Monday announced Android Wear for iPhone, bringing support for the search giant's wearable device platform, as well as select devices, to Apple's best selling handset.
The new Android Wear for iOS will also bring Google into even more direct competition with the Apple Watch. Android Wear devices have been on the market for about a year longer than Apple's first-generation wearable, but thus far the Android Wear platform has failed to gain much traction.
Google's hoping that support for iOS will change that. Compatibility with Android Wear is available on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, and it requires iOS 8.2 or later.
For now, Android Wear for iOS is compatible with the LG Watch Urbane. But all future Android Wear watches, including the recently announced Huawei Watch, will be compatible, including new devices from Asus and Motorola.
Key features of Android Wear for iOS, according to Google, include:
The new Android Wear for iOS will also bring Google into even more direct competition with the Apple Watch. Android Wear devices have been on the market for about a year longer than Apple's first-generation wearable, but thus far the Android Wear platform has failed to gain much traction.
Google's hoping that support for iOS will change that. Compatibility with Android Wear is available on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, and it requires iOS 8.2 or later.
For now, Android Wear for iOS is compatible with the LG Watch Urbane. But all future Android Wear watches, including the recently announced Huawei Watch, will be compatible, including new devices from Asus and Motorola.
Key features of Android Wear for iOS, according to Google, include:
- Get your info at a glance: Check important info like phone calls, messages, and notifications from your favorite apps. Android Wear features always-on displays, so you'll never have to move your wrist to wake up your watch.
- Follow your fitness: Set fitness goals, and get daily and weekly views of your progress. Your watch automatically tracks walking and running, and even measures your heart rate.
- Save time with smart help: Receive timely tips like when to leave for appointments, current traffic info, and flight status. Just say "Ok Google" to ask questions like "Is it going to rain in London tomorrow?" or create to-dos with "Remind me to pack an umbrella."
Comments
What's the incentive here? Wouldn't people using an iPhone buy an Apple Watch before reading this news?
I bought an Apple Watch Sport because I wanted a smartwatch and that is the only watch that work will work with the iPhone. However, I would really like the new Moto 360 which will come in small/large sizes and of course will feature a round display. I've always worn round watches, and they've always appealed to me. The Apple Watch Sport was the first watch I've had that was not round. It's by no means "bad" stylistically, but if I would prefer a nice, competent circular face.
I guess for people that will only wear round watches. Honestly I can't see that many iPhone users buy an Android Wear watch. Apple Watch is always going to be more full-featured and have deeper hooks into iOS.
And my god that Huawei watch looks awful. Looks like some cheap quartz watch you'd find at Target.
The only problem with these renderings is they hide the stupid flat tire. No way would I wear a circular watch that has a black bar at the bottom of it.
Note the Gatorguy likely was the first to mention this rumor some time ago; now it's fact.
Credit where due.
This is good in the short term at least for watchmakers and wearable manufacturers, but not seeing it bolster the premium Android handset market; perhaps it's a decent tradeoff.
For this to take off they need to integrate the functionality with iOS as the apple watch is. I owned a pebble steel, and when it worked it was very good, but occasionally i stopped either getting text notifications, or phone notifications, usually one not both, and then the weather app would not be updated, giving me totally out of date data. The occasional unreliability was a killer.
The only problem with these renderings is they hide the stupid flat tire. No way would I wear a circular watch that has a black bar at the bottom of it.
The flat tire is f**king annoying as hell, but the huge black border of wasted space around the physical display on my Apple Watch Sport is nearly as annoying stylistically IMHO.
I agree, A-watch has more features, but a lot of people wear watches just as a fashion item, so no need to use it, but just to have something nice-looking. So, if they prefer round watches...
Considering the Apple Watch interface is mostly black and the human interface guidelines counsel app makers to use black background how often does the black border stick out on Apple Watch?
But if you're wearing it just for fashion reasons then why wouldn't you just buy a normal watch. I'm skeptical that people who buy watches purely for fashion reasons and not utility are going to be interested in smart watches.
Considering the Apple Watch interface is mostly black and the human interface guidelines counsel app makers to use black background how often does the black border stick out on Apple Watch?
It sticks out all the time considering that the information displayed is inlayed in a "silo" that has a 3/16 of an inch border from the physical aluminum housing of my watch. Yes, it blends in because most of the interface elements are black, but it's still an incredible waste of space that IS noticeable (although there are probably technical limitations which prevent the display from extending further towards the aluminum housing on all sides of the display).
The flat tire is f**king annoying as hell, but the huge black border of wasted space around the physical display on my Apple Watch Sport is nearly as annoying stylistically IMHO.
Huge black border? The Apple watch utilizes the display area quite well in my opinion. Perhaps the round timekeeping screen has some extra black around it but go to the maps, the stocks or other apps that are oriented for a rectangular display and it is quite well suited to utilize the entire screen.
The black border is the curved portion of the glass. If content was displayed in that area, it may look distorted.
There's obviously technical reasons for the black border so I wouldn't really call it a waste of space. Most of the Android Wear watches are really large because they're using hardware to cover up the bezel. And I've seen plenty of Android Wear screen shots that seem like a waste of space....like a text message where half the screen contains a photo of the person who sent you the text.
The black border is the curved portion of the glass. If content was displayed in that area, it may look distorted.
You know, I didn't even think about that! Great point!
I expect Apple to add more shapes and styles over time. Unlike the Android watches, Apple is going after the high-fashion end of the business and I'm sure they are listening to what that industry is saying...
The Android watches are more of throwing shit against the wall and seeing what sticks... Companies like Swatch will be releasing watches to protect their business, but Apple's not going to give ground on fashion while offering a superior experience on utility... we haven't even seen 2.0 from Apple either. Maybe in a week, hmm?
Isn't the real headline here "Google to Help Sell More iPhones"?!
The type of display used in the AppleWatch ekes out a longer time per charge by using less white; hence the black guidlines... not to mention that I think black is richer looking on a watch face.
As to the "always on" feature of some/most/all of the android offerings, how well does that fly in a movie theater or symphony hall? I'd think it would be annoying as hell to anyone around you??