This seems like a pattern emerging for reasons I’m not quite sure of, but in recent years, we learn regularly of Apple projects that might have roped in the billions of Android users across the globe, only to find out that Apple nixed the idea at the last minute. The reason for that cut is obvious, and it almost always boils down to Apple realizing it has people locked into an ecosystem, so opening up to Android would hurt their grander plans.
This week, Bloomberg published an extensive report on the history of the Apple Watch and the big ideas Apple had initially planned for it. Their vision was for a wearable that would become the ultimate health device, which it is close to becoming, although it has taken multiple generations to get there. In that report, there are references to other projects involving the Apple Watch that were heavily invested in yet ultimately cut. And that’s where we come back to Apple and its relationship with Android.
The report suggests that Apple was working to make the Apple Watch and its Health app available to Android users. Under a codename of Project Fennel, with work supposedly nearly complete on the addition of Android support, Apple canceled it. Their reasoning for canceling a project that could have reached millions upon millions of new users was connected to the iPhone and the fact that the Apple Watch helps drive its sales. By letting Android in on the fun, people could have just bought an Apple Watch instead of both the watch and an iPhone.
Like when Apple admitted it wouldn’t bring iMessage to Android because it kept folks locked into their ecosystem of products, someone at the company realized that the value of the Watch to the iPhone was more important in the long run. They are probably right, but for those who love their Google or Samsung devices yet would also like an Apple Watch for its premium technology and design, as well as all of its health features, that’s going to be tough to hear.
Apple doesn’t typically comment on info like this, especially if it was a secret project never meant as public info, so we’ll likely never know the full story. What we do know now, through extensive reporting, is that Apple was strongly considering a move to open up the Apple Watch to Android, but decided at the last minute not to. Dang.
You buying an Apple Watch if it works with your Pixel 8 Pro? You are, right?
A watch that looks like a toy, with 16 hours battery life? Thanks, but no thanks.
Don’t need any watch to tell me the time or how “healthy” I am. SMH
On top of that I will NEVER buy any Apple device as long as they continue their gestapo tactics.
…Gestapo? Seriously dude?
Yes, seriously! An entire group of countries has to force them to capitulate to normal behavior!
That’s not what Gestapo means dude. Words matter. You are actively eroding what was a horrific historical event just so you can be hyperbolic on a phone website comment section. Do better.
Meh, Apple watch is overhyped. Three to five years ago it was light years better. WearOS had an ancient chipset, no updates and lousy Assistant performance. All of those things have been addressed. The handful of remaining exclusive features are mostly gimmicks and throw ins that no one uses. Also, the square watch is still way to reminiscent of an ugly Casio from 1987. If anything, Apple has lost significant ground in the last few years. As someone else said, the vast majority of Apple watch usage is the same stuff WearOS has had for a decade.
EDIT: I am more angry at Google for killing WearOS exclusive features like automatic lift detection.
I think this would have been true 2-3 years ago. But the recent improvements in the watch OS as well as actual watches has probably made this less important.
iPhone 15 Pro Max owner here.
Apple Watch 9 owner here.
Samsung Galaxy S23 owner here.
The Apple Watch is okay.
It is brilliant at recording health-related information, but don’t be fooled, NOBODY uses Apple Watch apps- at least from the standpoint of launching them from their wrist.
I appreciate the text notifications and health notifications as well as letting me answer a call on my wrist, but none of that is exclusive to Apple Watch.
For my pure-Android friends, in common daily use, you’re not missing much.
You are absolutely right. I’ve used an Apple Watch (series 5/6 not sure), with an iPhone 12 mini. I liked it but, didn’t really use the “apps”, only notifications, sleep tracking may be. But I did like the square display. It is sooo much easier to read texts and notifications. I wish we had an option for square android smartwatch from Samsung or Google.
Fitbit Sense or Versa and it lasts 5 days on a charge.
I owned android phones since the Motorola Droid (OG) and i’ve never stepped to an Apple product till the iPhone 15 and Watch ultra 2. I couldn’t disagree with you more. Just because you dont use apps doesnt mean they aren’t used by many. Foreflight for the apple watch is EXTREMELY useful to small aircraft pilots. It gives you local weather and frequencies right on your wrist. Quite literally every instructor at the flight school I went to had an apple watch and used foreflight constantly. It’s what inspired me to try the 15 and ultra.
If you aren’t a part of a group that uses apps, that’s fine but to say “NOBODY” is absurd. You just aren’t in a segment of society that has direct application for the apps on the Apple watch. Pilots, athletes, divers, tesla owners, and I’m sure many more benefit significantly from apps that are on the apple watch.
Also watchla (tesla key/app) allows me to leave my phone in the car or at home when I’m going out with friends so I’m more present but I still retain all the comfort features of the full app. just on my wrist. I’ve used memos in more meetings than I can count. The delta app is extremely convenient. Shazam is also nice right on my wrist. Granted I do miss the always on song detection of my pixel 7 pro.
Respect all that, but the majority of people didn’t go to flight school and the majority of people don’t leave their phones in their car behind them (why?!).
I’m not saying nobody USES them (I like the countdown notifications on my wrist between workout sets), but I’d argue almost nobody prefers the watch-based app over the phone-based app, especially since many of those apps are limited, and eventually tell you to go to your phone to continue.
It’s just inherently a PITA to do much on a screen located on your wrist. Again- I respect your use cases and glad it is a game changer for you, but having had 3 of these now, I just feel like anyone out there feeling left out because there’s an app store for the watch really needs to understand how limited that functionality is. Going back to my workout app- it lets me log my sets/reps/weights right on the Apple Watch screen, but doing so is more frustrating than convenient because its all so small and easy to fudge up.
But I am on my 3rd Apple Watch, so somethings working.
We should give credit to PW2.It’s super smooth and actually really good.
I’d probably get one, but I also would never buy an iPhone only so I could get their watch.
Apple is right. The Apple Watch is so good it almost got me to switch to the iPhone. If they improve a few more things on IOS to match Android functionality, switching ecosystems would be a no brainer.
I don’t see the need for ANY smartwatch: my phone is enough.
I really like the Pixel Watch 2 that came with my 8 Pro and I haven’t been using smartwatches for years. It’s been on my wrist 5-6 days a week since launch.
I like mine also. I would have preferred it to be bigger, however I’m really enjoying it.
I bought 12 different color bands for variety.
Whoever comes out with blood glucose measuring and monitoring function in smarwatch will win so much business.
Of course it should be FDA cleared.
If my company wasn’t paying for my Whoop, yeah, probably. I’ve never bought a single piece of Apple hardware, but as far as smartwatches go (and especially health-focused smartwatches), nothing comes close to an Apple Watch…and it pains me to say that. I used to hate the style, but the update last year looks much better IMO.
No, I would not. We can’t even get a Samsung watch that 100% of the features work on Pixel, only Samsung.
What does that have to do with the apple watch? …and the only thing that doesn’t work on a pixel (work around exists ) is the blood pressure monitoring and one other feature, you can always go pixel watch even though I think some of the fitness stuff is locked behind a paywall after 6 months I think .
I would buy an apple watch in the blink of an eye if they worked on android.
same it’s the only apple product I feel that way about
iPads are really good too if you are the creative type.
Facts it’s definitely the best smart watch from my experience..and I currently own a galaxy watch 5 pro
life long android user, and will be for the forseeable future; it is sad, but there is no product out there better for general fitness/heart/sleep tracking. i would buy an apple watch without a second thought (for every member of my family) if it ever expanded compatibility…