Lately, a report surfaced claiming that at one time limit, Apple was really contemplating making the Apple Watch suitable with Android telephones. Internally, this was often known as “Venture Fennel,” and it reportedly nearly got here to fruition as “the work was almost full.”
The explanation for Fennel being canceled is an apparent one, as it could have an effect on the gross sales of iPhones. One quote goes as far as to say, “Should you gave up the watch to Android, you’ll dilute the worth of the watch to the iPhone.”
None of that ought to come as any shock, particularly given Apple’s stance on the world of smartphones exterior of Cupertino. The corporate continues to disregard Google’s relentless #GetTheMessage pleas to help RCS, regardless of others comparable to Samsung becoming a member of the “combat.”
Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that it’d really be in Apple’s finest pursuits to launch a smartwatch that works with Android telephones. On one hand, the corporate already leads the way in which by way of market share regardless of seeing a ten% decline YoY in shipments (in keeping with Counterpoint). Apple appears dedicated to only trucking alongside as if nothing is occurring.
On the opposite, making the Apple Watch suitable with Android telephones would possible lead to Apple proudly owning much more market share, placing it handily out of attain of the competitors. Sadly, there’s one factor getting in the way in which of that dream, and it occurs to be the preferred smartphone on the earth.
What would an Apple Watch with Android appear to be?
Enjoying the hypothetical sport, I doubt Apple would change something concerning the software program or design of its wearable. The one main distinction would possible be to launch a devoted Watch app onto the Play Retailer. Then, you can simply buy an Apple Watch, create an Apple ID (if want be), obtain the app, and be in your manner.
One of many greater questions could be how Apple would deal with the app scenario. That is a part of why Android compatibility could be so intriguing. Would Apple work with Google to permit apps from the Play Retailer? Would we find yourself with an Amazfit or Fitbit kind of scenario the place you are mainly “caught” with no matter apps come pre-installed? I might enterprise to guess the latter, however it’s nonetheless fascinating to ponder.
From the report, it appears as if Apple would not be pulling a Samsung and limiting options, as an alternative giving all Android and iOS customers roughly the identical expertise. By comparability, if you wish to have entry to the ECG and blood stress monitor from the Galaxy Watch 6, it should be paired with a Samsung telephone.
Google made the proper determination to not restrict any options when utilizing the Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2 with non-Pixel units. That is a part of the explanation why I’ve referred to as Google’s newest smartwatch “The Apple Look ahead to Android.”
That being mentioned, if an Apple Watch have been launched with the flexibility for use with an Android telephone, it could be nice for everybody. Nicely, everybody apart from Google and Samsung. I do know it would not matter to those monumental firms, however the customers could be comfortable, as they would not need to settle or really feel the pains of being locked out of Apple’s walled backyard.
There is a purpose why the Apple Watch is so common, and the dependable software program ecosystem is a giant a part of that. My compadre, Harish, just lately defined why he prefers the Apple Watch to Put on OS watches, noting that “it is this continued reliability that offers watchOS a definite edge over Put on OS.” Google continues to enhance the panorama of Android smartwatches with its re-commitment to the platform, which began again with Put on OS 3.
However, even then, Put on OS 3 was unique to Samsung smartwatches for a yr. In the meantime, we’re as much as Put on OS 4, and there is not any indication as to when choices just like the TicWatch Professional 5 will get the replace. That is one thing I discussed in my evaluate, as the whole lot nonetheless feels actually fragmented exterior of the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch.
Apple coming into the Android house would undoubtedly put stress on Google and Samsung to proceed bettering the platform.
There’s cash to be made
Apple is projected to earn round $40 billion in income from its “wearables, dwelling merchandise, and equipment” in 2023. This quantity is anticipated to slowly rise over the following few years earlier than projections counsel Apple crossing the $60 billion threshold in 2027.
Sadly, the Bloomberg report would not give us an concept of when Venture Fennel was canned, so it is unknown whether or not this was final yr, or again in 2015 earlier than the Apple Watch was unveiled. Understanding this is able to’ve higher knowledgeable my opinion on the matter, because the tech world now could be drastically completely different than what we had eight years in the past.
Even nonetheless, I might go as far as to say that it is extra possible for the Apple Watch to return to Android than for Apple to undertake RCS or open up iMessage. There’s cash to be made, and the easiest way for these firms to maintain printing money is to promote providers.
The Apple Watch on Android would open the door for the corporate to earn much more cash from “providers.” Apple Health Plus is just like Fitbit Premium in that it supplies varied exercise varieties to comply with and might robotically create customized exercise plans. And when you’re understanding, you’ll be able to see all the related metrics seem in your wrist.
It may even funnel gross sales for different Apple merchandise, as Health Plus can be out there on the Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. So, if you happen to wished to maintain your Android telephone however reside the remainder of your life in Apple’s backyard, you can, and also you would not need to sacrifice something.
By no means say by no means, however it’s by no means taking place
Whereas I do really feel as if there’s an space of alternative for Apple to reap the benefits of, it is extremely unlikely that it’ll ever occur. It might most likely take some governing physique to become involved, just like the European Fee, and I might actually desire for that precedent to not be set.
Plus, if it have been going to occur, there’s an excellent likelihood that it most likely already would have. So except a miracle occurs, I will hold sporting my Apple Watch Extremely and dual-carrying each an iPhone and a foldable telephone.
