Not too long ago, a report surfaced claiming that at one time limit, Apple was really contemplating making the Apple Watch appropriate with Android telephones. Internally, this was referred to as “Undertaking 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 will have an effect on the gross sales of iPhones. One quote goes as far as to say, “When you gave up the watch to Android, you’d 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 assist RCS, regardless of others resembling Samsung becoming a member of the “struggle.”
Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that it’d really be in Apple’s greatest 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 simply trucking alongside as if nothing is going on.
On the opposite, making the Apple Watch appropriate with Android telephones would doubtless 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 this planet.
What would an Apple Watch with Android seem like?
Enjoying the hypothetical recreation, I doubt Apple would change something in regards to the software program or design of its wearable. The one main distinction would doubtless be to launch a devoted Watch app onto the Play Retailer. Then, you possibly can simply buy an Apple Watch, create an Apple ID (if want be), obtain the app, and be in your means.
One of many greater questions can be how Apple would deal with the app scenario. That is a part of why Android compatibility can be so intriguing. Would Apple work with Google to permit apps from the Play Retailer? Would we find yourself with an Amazfit or Fitbit sort of scenario the place you are principally “caught” with no matter apps come pre-installed? I might enterprise to guess the latter, nevertheless 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 cellphone.
Google made the right choice 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 known 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 cellphone, it will be nice for everybody. Effectively, everybody apart from Google and Samsung. I do know it would not matter to those monumental corporations, however the customers can be pleased, as they would not need to settle or really feel the pains of being locked out of Apple’s walled backyard.
There is a motive why the Apple Watch is so well-liked, and the dependable software program ecosystem is a giant a part of that. My compadre, Harish, 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 12 months. In the meantime, we’re as much as Put on OS 4, and there is no indication as to when choices just like the TicWatch Professional 5 will get the replace. That is one thing I discussed in my overview, 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 enhancing 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 subsequent 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 Undertaking Fennel was canned, so it is unknown whether or not this was final 12 months, or again in 2015 earlier than the Apple Watch was unveiled. Understanding this might’ve higher knowledgeable my opinion on the matter, because the tech world now could be drastically totally different than what we had eight years in the past.
Even nonetheless, I might go as far as to say that it is extra doubtless for the Apple Watch to come back to Android than for Apple to undertake RCS or open up iMessage. There’s cash to be made, and one of the best ways for these corporations to maintain printing money is to promote companies.
The Apple Watch on Android would open the door for the corporate to earn much more cash from “companies.” Apple Health Plus is just like Fitbit Premium in that it offers varied exercise varieties to comply with and might mechanically create customized exercise plans. And when you’re understanding, you’ll be able to see the entire related metrics seem in your wrist.
It might even funnel gross sales for different Apple merchandise, as Health Plus can also be obtainable on the Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. So, for those who needed to maintain your Android cellphone however stay the remainder of your life in Apple’s backyard, you possibly can, and also you would not need to sacrifice something.
By no means say by no means, nevertheless it’s by no means occurring
Whereas I do really feel as if there’s an space of alternative for Apple to make the most of, it is extremely unlikely that it’s going to ever occur. It might most likely take some governing physique to get entangled, 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 until a miracle occurs, I am going to maintain carrying my Apple Watch Extremely and dual-carrying each an iPhone and a foldable cellphone.