Android Wear now works with iPhones(googleblog.blogspot.com) |
Android Wear now works with iPhones(googleblog.blogspot.com) |
It's unfortunate it won't work with older Android Wear watches like, say the Moto 360. But I'm glad it finally happened; almost every year I switch back and forth between an iPhone and an Android and was a little sad that my Moto 360 would no longer be my companion with my iPhone 6+.
Edit: Looks like it the older ones work as long as you update it via an Android phone first. Nice!
Otherwise if you want out-of-the-box support you need a newer watch that already shipped with the version of Android Wear that supports iOS.
I love what Apple has done to push UX as a primary USP - I feel the balance needs to shift somewhat. Other things are valuable too.
I know some people with iPhones who turn off iMessages in favor of using Google Hangouts/Voice. So that could work.
So probably no replying to text messages.
I know it won't have full OS integration, but even with iOS I use Google's services way more than what Apple provides. I still like my 1st-gen pebble, but moving to a Moto360 would be like moving on from a B&W television. Hallelujah.
It will be really interesting if/when they will be able to support 3rd party apps...
I'm sure AndroidWear will not be allowed the same tight integration the Apple Watch has, the same way many Google services and apps on iOS are hobbled. There's an element of, "Oh they want crap? Then give them crap," here.
Its also depressing that the narrative here is, "OMG They're letting us use some peripherals of our choice with our phones? How generous!" Its sad how far we've fallen from actually being able to use the things we buy.
- It seems to need the iOS app running all the time, otherwise get a constant, undismissable "Touch to reconnect" on Watch, unlike on Android.
- Wifi from watch does not work.
- Very limited watch face selection, unlike Android.
Also, Apple Music on Android isn't even released yet :-/
Edit: You'll need someone's phone for a few hours - the updates don't come all at once. But it's a matter of installing the Wear app on an Android device, pairing, installing updates. Then wipe the watch and pair with iPhone