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Apple Watch Gets Over-the-Air Software Update Mechanism, But iPhone Still Required For Now
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That's also a fairly common strategy for Apple. The iPod was released as a Mac-only device, but later mainstreamed by opening it up to Windows. Services such as iCloud and iTunes also began on the Mac (and as Mac selling points), only to later be opened up to Windows. Now that the Watch is a mature product, it makes perfect sense that Apple would want to open sales up to Android users.
Assuming this is happening, I hope that Apple will do the same with iMessage.
That would be good news but highly doubt that will happen. Apple is all about keeping you in a total Apple ecosystem. Can't see them letting you use an apple watch with Android. Like ever.
The more self contained, the more it starts reaching a broader non iphone audience. It’s looking more and likely the watch can eventually be paired with Android phones for notifications.
Yeah it would broaden the customer base tenfold. Sales, as good as they are, would skyrocket.
Yeah it would broaden the customer base tenfold. Sales, as good as they are, would skyrocket.
You mean the same Apple that offers Apple Music on Android and iCloud on Windows? The same Apple that offered iTunes on Windows to support iPods? Apple supports other ecosystems when it makes sense for them.
While I am less convinced that they will bring the Health and Activity apps to Android devices, I would not be surprised to see Apple Watch no longer need an iPhone, given the stand alone apps and App Store.
Very different. Those are services that that constantly make money not hardware.
Yes I know Airpods can be used with Android devices but are also limited in functionality and don't involve an operating system which is the key to why you won't see Apple Watch Android compatibility. People are also not deciding on buying an iPhone over an Android phone based on wireless earbuds. A smart watch is a different story.
I mean I'd love it because I would like to have the option of using an Android phone and an Apple Watch which is exactly why Apple would never do it. The iphone is their #1 cash cow and risking lost sales so they could sell a few more apple watches? Not gonna happen.
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I can see this happening, Apple will try and get android users wearing the watch and sending iMessages to their friends with iPhones. The new share name and image in messages, will allow iPhone users to send messages to their Android friends' watch. Then it'll "persuade" them to swap to an iPhone. Peer pressure.Hopefully the day where the Apple Watch is a stand alone device is not too far away!
They have cannibalized themselves before. We’ve reached, or are close to peak smartphones.
...and it would be far more than “a few more” Apple Watches.
You misunderstood my post. Android users will be able to use Apple Watch without any direct Android compatibility required. They’ll be able to do this because an iPhone won’t be required to pair it with and because Apple Watch apps from Google can provide all the notifications from the typical Android ecosystem without a direct connection to the phone.
I don't know about far more. There are Android smart watches and more affordable than an Apple Watch. Last time a checked there are a lot of very loyal Android users who want nothing to do with Apple products. People who would take advantage of this the most are people like me that kinda like the Android interface a bit more than ios because I think notifications are still better on Android (one the biggest part of my smartphone usage) and I like to customize and theme my icons. Not really enough for me to leave the ecosystem and my Apple Watch behind but if I can use my Apple Watch on Android I'm a lot more likely to jump ship.
They're clearly trying to keep people locked in with iMessage, which to me is even less of a hold with other good messaging apps. Apples income is still 53% iphone driven and just because smartphones have peaked doesn't mean people stop replacing them every few years. They take a lot of wear and tear and specs still eventually get outdated.
You can tell me I told you so if it happens but I'm pretty confident it isn't happening within the next 5-10 years if ever.
Why? Why do you people comment and add nothing to the convo except saltiness? Why??
Gotcha. Makes sense when its stand alone and if everything pushes seamlessly on your android device, but then you need to have the cellular version which adds another monthly fee at this moment in Canada at least which personally doesn't interest me. I guess one could just keep an old iphone around to install the apps on the cellular version as well.
Not sure you could take phone calls on the Apple watch in this situation though?
The initial coupling of the watch to the iphone makes sense because they want the iphone to do most of the work for app, so that it doesn't drain the watch batteries.
If they are going decouple the watch from the phone completely then app developers will have to rely on cloud services more; and heavy apps will just require coupling to an iphone to work.
This also makes sense with Apple's strategy of moving services into the cloud more.
If they are going decouple the watch from the phone completely then app developers will have to rely on cloud services more; and heavy apps will just require coupling to an iphone to work.
This also makes sense with Apple's strategy of moving services into the cloud more.
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Hopefully the day where the Apple Watch is a stand alone device is not too far away!
Was just thinking the same thing, it’s sales will increase substantially then from a lot of none iPhone owners!
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Is there still the frustrating “must be on charger” status while transferring songs on music?
That could be why the Watch is still tethered at this point. Apple can't get it thin enough on its own. But I'll wait. This is a good baby step in the right direction.
I thought an iPhone was still a prerequisite to get the Watch to function. You didn't need to have the phone ON you, but you still had to have one.
The ipod dominated the market when itunes for windows was released. Without that the iphone wouldn't have escaped Apple's niche.
They need to open up the apple watch market by making it android-friendly.
They need to open up the apple watch market by making it android-friendly.