The choice of your smart watch determines your smartphone operating system

[saintforlife]

At this point, if you want an Apple Watch, you are stuck with the iPhone. If you want an Android Wear device, you have to go with an Android phone. I wish that wasn't the case. This kind of exclusivity only forces eco-system lock-in.

Do you guys see a way around this? Is getting something like a Pebble the only option? I hope Microsoft comes out with something that is cross-platform.

 

[MRU]

Google were rumoured to be bringing Android Wear app to iOS

 

[tbayrgs]

At this point, if you want an Apple Watch, you are stuck with the iPhone. If you want an Android Wear device, you have to go with an Android phone. I wish that wasn't the case. This kind of exclusivity only forces eco-system lock-in.

Do you guys see a way around this? Is getting something like a Pebble the only option? I hope Microsoft comes out with something that is cross-platform.

Microsoft already did with the Band. Yes, it doesn't offer all of the functionality you'll get if you use the Apple Watch or Android Wear on their respective platforms, but it does a pretty good job. I used one for about 4 months but had to stop due to a skin reaction to the materials used. It's not the prettiest smart wearable but it worked better than I expected it to. Battery lasted longer than either the Apple Watch or any Android Wear device (usually could get 3 days) yet still offered a color LCD display. Also loved the onboard GPS--great for tracking walks/rides/runs and it could be synced with many 3rd party apps (Runkeeper, etc).

 

[Andres Cantu]

At this point, if you want an Apple Watch, you are stuck with the iPhone. If you want an Android Wear device, you have to go with an Android phone. I wish that wasn't the case. This kind of exclusivity only forces eco-system lock-in.

Do you guys see a way around this? Is getting something like a Pebble the only option? I hope Microsoft comes out with something that is cross-platform.

Building on your point, a Samsung Gear smartwatch requires a Samsung phone.

I'm not necessarily convinced that's a bad thing. I would be willing to bet most people will get their smartwatch after owning and deciding on a smartphone. In other words, even if all smartwatches worked with all mobile OS's, I don't think Samsung Galaxy owners would buy the Apple Watch nor iPhone users would buy the Gear smartwatches (at least the vast majority wouldn't).

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Yeah, the smartwatch should be seen as another accessory to the phone. Only compatible accessories will work Of course that doesn't stop me from wearing my Apple Watch with my Moto X.

 

[Lloydbm41]

At this point, if you want an Apple Watch, you are stuck with the iPhone. If you want an Android Wear device, you have to go with an Android phone. I wish that wasn't the case. This kind of exclusivity only forces eco-system lock-in.

Do you guys see a way around this? Is getting something like a Pebble the only option? I hope Microsoft comes out with something that is cross-platform.

My Moto 360 works with my iPhone. My Martian Notifier also works with my iPhone. Only Apple products force you into a locked ecosystem, not the other way around.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

My Moto 360 works with my iPhone. My Martian Notifier also works with my iPhone. Only Apple products force you into a locked ecosystem, not the other way around.

Samsung Tizen watches only work with Samsung phones, unless they have found a way to make it talk to other Android phones and/or the iPhone.

Your point still stands, though.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

A smart watch will probably last the same amount of time the average phone will last on contract I would say. Unless you plan on changing your phone regularly i.e multiple times in a 2 year period, I can't see an issue. If you do buy phones every month, get an Android watch as you'll have countless phones to use it with. As has already been said though, an App is supposedly coming to iOS so that is food for thought. I still prefer my Seiko SKX007 over any smart watch though

 

[maflynn]

Other then the  watch, you're not really stuck with a platform, you can use the MS Band, Fitbit Surge, on both windows, Mac, iOS, android, and windows phone. As mentioned the android wear stuff should get an iOS app as well.