Google adding more watch faces design and colorful straps may attract more Android users to finally get that smartwatch but there is still another big market to catch: the iPhone users. Last month, the search giant was reportedly working on to release Android Wear app for iOS devices. We never doubted this because Google has always been open with cross-platform compatibility. And yeah–why not?
While I know Google can be open to the idea of Android Wear on iOS, I just don’t know if Apple will someday bring the Apple Watch OS to Android. It’s something the Cupertino company will most likely, as expected and as usual, to keep exclusive to Apple fans. But that won’t be a problem for Android users because there are more Android Wear smartwatch choices now–maybe even more stylish and more powerful than the upcoming Apple Watch.
Android Wear-running smartwatches will definitely compete with the Apple Watch. Google has got an edge this time though, launching the technology even before Apple. There are more Android-powered devices now too (Android Auto, Android TV, Chrome OS running Android apps, etc.) that may soon support Android Wear. Imagine the possibilities of your Moto 360, LG Watch Urbane, Audi smartwatch, or Samsung Gear Live being able to connect with or control several Android devices.
Nothing is certain yet until Google or Apple makes an announcement but The Verge says Android Wear is working on a companion app on the iPhone that can support basic functions like notifications. It will work the same as it does on Android. We might see a lot of Google Now cards or iOS notifications. There’s also the possibility of the iOS version of Google’s native apps to work with Android Wear. There are too many Google-developed apps that can work with this: Gmail, Youtube, Google Drive, etc.
Nothing is really impossible since Pebble is able to work with iOS and Android Wear. There are may be limits but at least the Pebble smartwatch works with an iPhone. One app has even allowed Android Wear to play with iOS (well, sort of…). Other smartwatch makers may soon start offering their products with iOS-iPhone compatibility.
The latest Android Wear 4.4 version is believed to have some iOS related code. This could mean Google is working on some Android Wear-iOS connection. And besides, we already noted earlier that Google could be releasing Android Wear app for iOS devices.
The Android Wear team just wants more users to enjoy the wearable experience. No doubt about that but will Apple allow such compatibility? We’ll see someday. For now, let’s wait for gesture control and WiFi to come to Android Wear.
VIA: The Verge
