I’ve been writing about technology for two decades and am routinely struck by how the sector swings from startling innovation to persistent repetitiveness. My areas of specialty are wearable tech, cameras, home entertainment and mobile technology.
Over the years, the Apple Watch has evolved in lots of different directions. But a new report from Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett atclaims that one feature was under consideration which would have radically changed the usability of the wearable: compatibility with Android phones.The report claims that the Watch engineers looked into many features that didn’t transpire.
One of the items that never made it to fruition was support for the Watch and the companion Health app to work with Android as well as the iPhone. This makes a lot of sense if you want to sell more Apple Watches as there are so many Android phones around the world. As the report says, “For a time, Apple engineers were also deeply engaged in an effort to make the watch and Health app compatible with the billions of Android devices in circulation.
In all likelihood, with this capability, Apple would have been able to crow about being the most popular watch in the world much sooner. However, a different sales figure got in the way: the success of the iPhone. The report goes on, “But other business considerations prevailed: The work was nearly complete when Project Fennel was canceled, in part because the Apple Watch is a driver of iPhone sales.
Instead, from the first Apple Watch to now, you need an iPhone to activate the Watch. Not every smartwatch behaves in the same way, with plenty that are compatible with both iOS and Android. But few, to be frank, are as potent as the Apple Watch.
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