Android Wear Becomes 'Wear OS by Google' as 1 in 3 Android Wear Watches are Used by iPhone Owners

[MacRumors]

Google today announced that it's dropping the "Android" moniker from the name of its software designed for smart watches because it's not just Android users who are using the devices.

Going forward, Android Wear, which is built into a wide range of smart watches from companies like LG, Misfit, Asus, Huawei, Fossil, and more, will be known as "Wear OS by Google."

Google says that it's making this change because in 2017, one out of every three new Android Wear watch owners used an iPhone.

Android Wear was also designed with the belief that wearable technology "should be for everyone" regardless of what style you wear on your wrist or what phone you use, so Google chose the new name to reflect this philosophy.

So as the watch industry gears up for another Baselworld next week, we're announcing a new name that better reflects our technology, vision, and most important of all--the people who wear our watches. We're now Wear OS by Google, a wearables operating system for everyone.

All existing devices using the software formerly known as Android Wear will begin displaying the new Wear OS by Google name "over the next few weeks."

Article Link: Android Wear Becomes 'Wear OS by Google' as 1 in 3 Android Wear Watches are Used by iPhone Owners

 

[Andres Cantu]

Even their wearables get more attention than their tablets.

 

[nutmac]

Wear is a stupid name. Instead of trying to make Wear OS into one-OS-fits-all-wearable, just own the category and make the best OS for watch form factor devices.

Where are all the people using wearing Wear OS watches? They are rare sighting even at Google campus in Mountain View.

And if you want to demonstrate your seriousness of the category, make a Pixel Watch.

 

[Agneev]

Please update the app for iPhone X.

 

[Futurix]

Can't wait for their:
Television OS,
Computer OS,
and
Phone OS.

 

[Regime2008]

1/3 of Android Wear watches being owned by iphone users is no surprise to me. I know so many people who think the iwatch is hideous in comparison.

 

[asdavis10]

Even their wearables get more attention than their tablets.

Tablet tech is stagnant. The market is saturated, the upgrade cycle is long, and the iPad is dominant.

But I'm surprised that 1 in 3 Android Watch owners use an iPhone. Other than design, I can't see what advantages an Android watch for an iPhone user would have over an Apple Watch.

 

[theheadguy]

Wear is a stupid name. Instead of trying to make Wear OS into one-OS-fits-all-wearable, just own the category and make the best OS for watch form factor devices. Where are all the people using wearing Wear OS watches? They are rare sighting even at Google campus in Mountain View. And if you want to demonstrate your seriousness of the category, make a Pixel Watch.

Huh? Did you love the name iPad or iPod or HomePod when it was introduced or is your taste geared towards names like nutmac? I’m not sure if you work in a tech or corporate environment but android watches are aplenty.

 

[boswald]

I still prefer Apple Watch. The simplicity and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem is what kept me a loyal customer. Android seems cheap by comparison.

 

[MrX8503]

I don't know why anyone would buy an Android smartwatch. It appears to be on the verge of vaporware.

 

[cknibbs]

I still prefer Apple Watch. The simplicity and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem is what kept me a loyal customer. Android seems cheap by comparison.

This.

I explored what it would look like to live across many different ecosystems, and while it was possible, it all required the sacrifice of simplicity and certain features. Yes Apple makes expensive things, and yes I wish it was cheaper, but I would much rather have all my tech play nice together, than have it feel fragmented and hacked together.

 

[nutmac]

Huh? Did you love the name iPad or iPod or HomePod when it was introduced or is your taste geared towards names like nutmac? I’m not sure if you work in a tech or corporate environment but android watches are aplenty.

"Wearable" is a universal term that applies to a wide range of fashion categories. When you design a software that could be used in wide range of potential products, you end up compromising and it greatly increases the scope of what it needs to do.

By narrowing the focus to just a watch category, developers and designers can focus on making a great watch product and nothing else.

 

[Nozuka]

Wear Off by Google

 

[44267547]

I know so many people who think the iwatch is hideous in comparison.

I could make the opposing argument that others find Apple Watch very modern and sleek looking for what it is. Clearly form factor varies for everybody. But I think aside from hardware aesthetics, it’s the integration of watchOS and the fitness capabilities that sell the Apple Watch. Not just how it looks.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

I still prefer Apple Watch. The simplicity and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem is what kept me a loyal customer. Android seems cheap by comparison.

I agree but it really comes down to preference. As the article says, 1 in 3 Android watch owners are iPhone users, although hard to believe because the Apple Watch works seamlessly with iPhones like you pointed out. I love my Apple Watch 3 LTE that works really well with my iPhone. The fact that I can go running or biking without my phone is the best part, and never miss a text or a call, and waiting to be able to stream Apple Music, then I'm set.

 

[dryadsoraka]

I like dropping Android, they should try it all around. It’s kind of an archaic, worn out name.

 

[Argus9]

Next up: Google announces the new `gPhone X`.

 

[Focusx0131]

1 in 3 Wear users having an iPhone is VERY different than 1 in 3 iPhone users having *any* Wear based product. Add on the fact that most Samsung watches run Tizen instead of Wear and I can imagine it’s a high number. If Google posted sales numbers please let me know.

 

[Cloudkicker]

Wear is a stupid name.

iPad was mocked when its name was announce. Maxi-Pad jokes galore. Also... EarPod... AirPod.... Apple Watch? Talk about clunky names. #thoseinglasshouses

I agree with you on Wear OS being awkward. Like how they name cars flow-y sounding names. "Introducing the new Hyundai Elantra (insert Fabio hair air breeze wave)."

 

[lunarworks]

Where? OS

I almost never see anyone wear an Android watch, but I see Apple Watches pretty much every day.

 

[JGIGS]

And if you want to demonstrate your seriousness of the category, make a Pixel Watch.

I do like the sounds of a pixel watch. As I see Pixel 3 in my future. Especially since we are pretty much mostly only going to see bug fixes in ios 11. Until ios/siri get a massive redesign/upgrade I'm losing my patients. At the very least I need notifications grouped by app.

Would be nice to have a smart watch where I could flip back and forth between iOs and Android though I think I rather that watch be an Apple Watch. In fairness though I've never used and android watch.
[doublepost=1521141653][/doublepost]

1 in 3 Wear users having an iPhone is VERY different than 1 in 3 iPhone users having *any* Wear based product. Add on the fact that most Samsung watches run Tizen instead of Wear and I can imagine it’s a high number. If Google posted sales numbers please let me know.

Ya but a lost sale is a lost sale. I'm guessing a good portion of those users use both an Android and iPhone (true smartphone enthusiast)

Imagine the increase in Apple Watch sales if it had compatibility with Android?

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I agree but it really comes down to preference. As the article says, 1 in 3 Android watch owners are iPhone users, although hard to believe because the Apple Watch works seamlessly with iPhones like you pointed out. I love my Apple Watch 3 LTE that works really well with my iPhone. The fact that I can go running or biking without my phone is the best part, and never miss a text or a call, and waiting to be able to stream Apple Music, then I'm set.

Not really hard to believe to be honest. The stats says that one in three Android wear users are iPhone users, not one in three wearable users who use iPhones use android wear. It simply goes to show how little android wear units are selling given that Androids vastly surpass iPhones in numbers.

 

[Focusx0131]

Ya but a lost sale is a lost sale.
Imagine the increase in Apple Watch sales if it had compatibility with Android?

I’d imagine those sales alone would top all its competitors. They did it for iTunes and Windows and have Apple Music on Android, so it’s technically possible but you know, business reasons.

 

[44267547]

Not really hard to believe to be honest. The stats says that one in three Android wear users are iPhone users, not one in three wearable users who use iPhones use android wear. It simply goes to show how little android wear units are selling.

I also have to say that I think Android watches don’t nearly have the marketing that Apple does. Everywhere I go, it’s the Apple Watch on TV, billboards, magazine articles, etc. Not to mention, the iPhone being highly popular, it’s natural that one would choose the Apple Watch.

 

[H2SO4]

This.

I explored what it would look like to live across many different ecosystems, and while it was possible, it all required the sacrifice of simplicity and certain features. Yes Apple makes expensive things, and yes I wish it was cheaper, but I would much rather have all my tech play nice together, than have it feel fragmented and hacked together.

When it suits you. There will be things you cannot do on a Mac or that are an a** to do. Same as any other OS.
Not having a proper file system I’m sure makes iOS feel hacked and fragmented yet.......