Google's Android Wear for iOS confirmed incompatible with Apple's HealthKit
In announcing Android Wear for iOS on Monday, Google noted users can track steps, calories and other biometric readings in-app, but failed to confirm HealthKit compatibility. It has since been learned that Google chose not to integrate with Apple's platform, instead opting for its own Google Fit service.
Representatives from Apple and Google told BuzzFeed News that Android Wear does not offer access to the HealthKit framework, meaning wearables running the operating system must use Google's competing Google Fit system to log fitness and health measurements.
A Google spokesperson confirmed Android Wear for iOS "bypasses" HealthKit, but "absolutely supports the mass majority of Wear features we see our Android users using and loving." An Apple representative said the choice was entirely Google's.
Android Wear for iOS launched on Monday to bridge the gap between Google's smartwatch platform and Apple's iOS hardware. The app serves to expand Android Wear's reach into Apple's consumer base, a demographic previously unable to take full advantage of Android-based smartwatches due in large part to software incompatibility.
Google's decision is not surprising considering the ongoing turf war between iOS and Android, not to mention the potential value of user-generated data, but the move ultimately hurts iPhone owners who prefer Android Wear devices over Apple Watch. A reluctance to concede data is not unprecedented, especially in the health quantification world, however. Fitbit, for example, has long refused to support HealthKit.
Full HealthKit integration on the level seen with third-party fitness devices and Apple's own Watch product allows for cross-app data sharing, a feature important to information aggregation and a streamlined user experience. For example, Apple's Health app collects biometric data from HealthKit-compatible devices to serve as a central repository for a user's health and fitness technology ecosystem.
Representatives from Apple and Google told BuzzFeed News that Android Wear does not offer access to the HealthKit framework, meaning wearables running the operating system must use Google's competing Google Fit system to log fitness and health measurements.
A Google spokesperson confirmed Android Wear for iOS "bypasses" HealthKit, but "absolutely supports the mass majority of Wear features we see our Android users using and loving." An Apple representative said the choice was entirely Google's.
Android Wear for iOS launched on Monday to bridge the gap between Google's smartwatch platform and Apple's iOS hardware. The app serves to expand Android Wear's reach into Apple's consumer base, a demographic previously unable to take full advantage of Android-based smartwatches due in large part to software incompatibility.
Google's decision is not surprising considering the ongoing turf war between iOS and Android, not to mention the potential value of user-generated data, but the move ultimately hurts iPhone owners who prefer Android Wear devices over Apple Watch. A reluctance to concede data is not unprecedented, especially in the health quantification world, however. Fitbit, for example, has long refused to support HealthKit.
Full HealthKit integration on the level seen with third-party fitness devices and Apple's own Watch product allows for cross-app data sharing, a feature important to information aggregation and a streamlined user experience. For example, Apple's Health app collects biometric data from HealthKit-compatible devices to serve as a central repository for a user's health and fitness technology ecosystem.
Comments
Thank God.
I'm sure HealthKit is open so Apple wouldn't mind Giggle using it.
But harvesting data makes sense, that's probably why Giggle didn't use it.
According to the article it was Google's decision, not Apple's.
I see zero reason why an iPhone user would want an Android Wear device. If I wanted something round that badly I'd just get a mechanical watch and forget about smartwatches.
Price. You will be able to get Android wear devices for a fraction of what an Apple Watch costs.
Google doesn't allow health data to be used nor even collected for advertising purposes. It's just one of several things Google says can't be used, regarded as off-limits sensitive personal information. Other verboten categories include:
-interest or participation in adult activities (including alcohol, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.)
-sexual behavior or orientation, such as sexual orientation inferred from a user's visit to a particular website
-racial or ethnic information, such as from sites or apps that collect affirmative racial or ethnic identification from visitors
-political affiliation (other than the public registration information of United States voters), such as from sites or apps that solicit or store people's affirmative political stances
-trade union membership or affiliation, such as a user's visit to a trade union's site or app
-religion or religious belief, such as from sites or apps that collect people's affirmative information on religion or religious beliefs
-negative financial status or situation, such as information indicating that a user has a low credit rating or high debt load
-health or medical information, such as from sites or apps that market to a specific health-related group
-status as a child under 13
-the commission or alleged commission of any crime, such as information indicating that a user has a criminal record
https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/143465?hl=en
...but the move ultimately hurts iPhone owners who prefer Android Wear devices over Apple Watch.
Yeah... all what, three users?
I see countless reasons. Besides what Android Wear and its devices will be in a year, or 2… or 5… which will very likely have features and styles not offered by Apple, I can see how Android Wear — not Android Wristwatch OS — could be used by medical devices that use a stripped down and very specific version that you may use whilst wearing your Apple Watch.
This won't last long.
Yea, they won't go through the official way.
How do they get through in an unofficial way? I thought iOS devices were secure?
What is Android Wristwatch OS and how is that different than Android Wear?
I was referring to the current crop of smartwatches running Android Wear. I see no compelling reason for an iPhone user to want one other than they just have to have a round display and don't care if functionality is limited or the UI is following Google'a design guidelines not Apple's.
You actually believe Google ! Fascinating IMHO Google has been caught red handed lying before so where do you get your credibility from exactly?