jkichline

This is likely because of how they are managing connecting the devices through the carriers to the same phone number. It's most likely limited by the hardware modems of those devices.

I also sat in on a Bluetooth session at WWDC that went over the future of Bluetooth and how they significantly speed up transfer times of files for doing updates for instance.  They specifically mentioned WatchOS updates in their examples.  However, this new capability required newer versions of the Bluetooth hardware and I think the cut off was iPhone 6.  After checking my notes and doing some searching... this capability is only available with Bluetooth 4.2 and Bluetooth 5.0.  The iPhone 6 has Bluetooth 4.2, while iPhone 5s tops out at 4.1.

So again, you're running into a hardware limitation. Keep in mind however that this is not planned obsolesce. Apple adopts Bluetooth standards faster that anyone in the industry.  It's simply that you'll be using a three-year old device and expecting today's feature set.  It's simply impossible to do certain things on older hardware.

The iPhone 6/7 doesn't support reachability – only the iPhone 6/7 Plus.  The iPhone X has a larger screen, but is roughly the same size of iPhone 6/7.  Also, you don't have a home button to double tap to use it so...

Oh look. Activity rings. How original.

sog35 said:

Nice.

the wireless keyboards are a joke.

So small. 
So cramped.
Hate when it gets disconnection problems.
Hate when i have to change batteries.
Hate that it does not have a key pad built in.

This is an example of Apple taking form over function to the extreme.

Apple has a new wireless keyboard with number keypad.  It's rare that I have had any disconnection issues with an Apple keyboard, but I know what you mean with the batteries.  I use a full-size USB Apple keyboard like this one, and like it.

Pretty rich of Google to announce things to interrupt people from seeing the eclipse happen. Like their OS holds a candle to this natural phenomenon or something.