Google Reportedly Preparing Android Wear for iPhone and iPad

[MacRumors]

Google is reportedly preparing to release an Android Wear app on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, according to French technology website 01net [Google Translate] (via iPhon.fr).

The report claims Android Wear with extended iOS support could be announced at Google's I/O developer conference in late May, although Google may push the agenda depending on sales of the Apple Watch.

Google may be interested in capitalizing on iPhone and iPad users that are not planning to purchase an Apple Watch when the wrist-worn device is released in April, the report adds. Last month, an unofficial video of an iPhone paired with Android Wear for notifications amassed over 300,000 views on YouTube.

Android Wear smartwatches such as the LG G Watch, Moto 360 and Samsung Gear Live are currently limited to pairing with smartphones running Android 4.3 or later, such as the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8 and LG G3. Pairing an Android smartphone and smartwatch requires the official Android Wear app on the Google Play Store.

While 01net is one of the largest technology publications in France, its exclusive report has not yet been corroborated by other sources and its veracity cannot be confirmed. But given that Google is generally more open about cross-platform compatibility, and has an existing portfolio of apps on the App Store, there is a possibility that Android Wear for iOS could one day be a reality.

Article Link: Google Reportedly Preparing Android Wear for iPhone and iPad

 

[bgro]

awesome. love the look of the LG Urbane. Don't think i'd rock an Apple Watch, not my style.

 

[x5tuu]

makes perfect sense, surprised its taken so long tbh

 

[HenryDJP]

I may not be the candidate for an AppleWatch but I'll be damned if I buy a watch made from a competitor (Google). Chances are it won't be 100% compatible with my iPhone and I'll be at the slave of that Google for proper updates. No thanks!

 

[Jamieserg]

Once the Apple watch has been released, I'll compare each platform; google, apple and pebble and see which one I like best. Competition is always a good thing.

 

[bbeagle]

So are Apple devices now MORE 'open' than Android devices?

Having an Apple device gives me the option of BOTH the Apple Watch AND Android Wear watches.

While owning an Android, you are stuck in your 'walled garden' with ONLY access to Android Wear watches.

 

[ChinaRye]

awesome. love the look of the LG Urbane. Don't think i'd rock an Apple Watch, not my style.

I agree. Some of the Android Wear watches look pretty slick, much better than the Apple Watch, imo.

 

[mattopotamus]

This would have made sense a few months ago. With the apple watch right around the corner, iphone users who are interested in a smartwatch or going to want the apple watch.

You know that half of the features android wear offers will not translate. It would essentially be a more expensive pebble. Voice replies, dismiss notifications, etc all would not play nicely with the iphone.

 

[rickdollar]

Funny. That's what Russell Holly of Android Central was discussing on The Dan Benjamin Hour yesterday.

 

[Roessnakhan]

So are Apple devices now MORE 'open' than Android devices?

Having an Apple device gives me the option of BOTH the Apple Watch AND Android Wear watches.

While owning an Android, you are stuck in your 'walled garden' with ONLY access to Android Wear watches.

The Microsoft Band and Pebble are both compatible with Android. Also, the Apple Watch will not be compatible with Android. So I don't really see your point.

 

[Rogifan]

I agree. Some of the Android Wear watches look pretty slick, much better than the Apple Watch, imo.

Sure the renders look great especially when they're showing an analog clock face. For me if I want a traditional watch that's what I'll buy. Battery life will be much better.

 

[dannyyankou]

Ooooh, interesting. I'll have to do some comparisons in person and decide what I like best.

 

[superliu]

Surely Apple won't allow this! No?

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I may not be the candidate for an AppleWatch but I'll be damned if I buy a watch made from a competitor (Google). Chances are it won't be 100% compatible with my iPhone and I'll be at the slave of that Google for proper updates. No thanks!

Brand loyalty much?

Regarding updates, Android Wear is just an app on the Play Store, so there will be no fragmentation or anything if that what you are concerned about. Google can make updates to apps more quickly then something that is baked in to the OS.

 

[Sandstorm]

So are Apple devices now MORE 'open' than Android devices?

Having an Apple device gives me the option of BOTH the Apple Watch AND Android Wear watches.

While owning an Android, you are stuck in your 'walled garden' with ONLY access to Android Wear watches.

Laughable "logic" you have there...

 

[maflynn]

Surely Apple won't allow this! No?

Why not? They allow fitbit, and MS Band.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Surely Apple won't allow this! No?

Why would Apple care? There are tons of Google apps already on the App store. This will be just another one.

 

[HenryDJP]

Surely Apple won't allow this! No?

Why not? Any company can make a compatible watch for the iPhone. It may not be a watch sale for Apple but it will keep people on their iPhone rather than switching to Android.

 

[cleirac]

Ha. I will not let Android / Google / Samsung additional access to my iDevices.

More choices? My choice is no more Googling too!

* No thanks. No to your legalized spyware, Google! Your Android is free for a reason.

 

[Rogifan]

The Microsoft Band and Pebble are both compatible with Android. Also, the Apple Watch will not be compatible with Android. So I don't really see your point.

Microsoft doesn't make its money off hardware and Pebble doesn't make its own phones so no surprise both of those would be available on multiple platforms. As far as Google goes I doubt they really care if someone is rocking an iPhone as pretty much all their services are on iPhone

----------

Surely Apple won't allow this! No?

Sure they will. But no doubt Watch integration with iPhone will be deeper and there may even be apps that are only available for Watch in the beginning.

 

[HenryDJP]

Brand loyalty much?

Regarding updates, Android Wear is just an app on the Play Store, so there will be no fragmentation or anything if that what you are concerned about. Google can make updates to apps more quickly then something that is baked in to the OS.

Brand Loyalty? Did you bother to actually read my post? I SAID I wasn't a candidate for an AppleWatch.......but from experience when I've bought competitor's products they weren't 100% compatible.

And what's wrong with brand loyalty? Do you have a problem with that? That's my right isn't it?

 

[nfl46]

Wow, this would be huge! I LOOOOOVE choices!

 

[Hustler1337]

I'd welcome this, the current Apple Watch design is pretty poor IMO, though I guess the Android Wear devices may be limited in their functions for iOS.

 

[639051]

I may not be the candidate for an AppleWatch but I'll be damned if I buy a watch made from a competitor (Google). Chances are it won't be 100% compatible with my iPhone and I'll be at the slave of that Google for proper updates. No thanks!

This has to be the most ignorant view that irks me the most about zealots of products. Guess what man, you're a slave to SOMEONE regardless of what you think. You're a slave to Apple when bugs spring up and Apple decides not enough people are affected by it. Example, the horrible WiFi issues every single iOS device I own experiences once again since 8.1.3. Well documented on the Apple forums and from other developers, caused by AWDL over Bonjour. Totally breaks connectivity on wireless networks for me, causing me to have to switch to LTE to get access. It isnt the router or the access point, I have examples on a wide array of equipment (mine is corporate equipment). I am a slave to Apple for them to fix it, that is if they decide its a big enough issue to do so (it is for those affected).

Use what works best, not because you somehow decided your loyalty belongs to one company or another because of some deeply held "religious" views to that company. You assume instantly that the product Google would offer will not be 100% compatible ... do you have insider knowledge to make this claim? Doubtful, and it makes you look like a zealot.

 

[HenryDJP]

This has to be the most ignorant view that irks me the most about zealots of products. Guess what man, you're a slave to SOMEONE regardless of what you think. You're a slave to Apple when bugs spring up and Apple decides not enough people are affected by it. Example, the horrible WiFi issues every single iOS device I own experiences once again since 8.1.3. Well documented on the Apple forums and from other developers, caused by AWDL over Bonjour. Totally breaks connectivity on wireless networks for me, causing me to have to switch to LTE to get access. It isnt the router or the access point, I have examples on a wide array of equipment (mine is corporate equipment). I am a slave to Apple for them to fix it, that is if they decide its a big enough issue to do so (it is for those affected).

Use what works best, not because you somehow decided your loyalty belongs to one company or another because of some deeply held "religious" views to that company. You assume instantly that the product Google would offer will not be 100% compatible ... do you have insider knowledge to make this claim? Doubtful, and it makes you look like a zealot.

Wow so much thought out writing for a small paragraph I posted. Good thing I stopped reading after the first line. Chill.