Looks like the Apple Watch is not the only wearable gadget to choose for iPhone users. Google has extended support for iOS for its Android Wear platform, making Android-powered smartwatches compatible with iOS devices. With this move, it does not remain compulsory any longer to operate Android Wear devices only via Android devices.
Apart from usual notifications, scope for further synchronization with other apps is limited. Watches will be able to pull notifications and updates from Google apps like Gmail and Calendar, but for third party vendors, the watch might not work at its full potential. This is due to the fact that Apple provides limited access to apps and connected devices, unless the accessory is its own, like the Apple Watch.
The Android Wear Platform is still in the early stages on iOS, and more improvements and enhancements are expected in time. Extensive iOS access and synchronization between third party apps and Android Wear might require Apple to ease its privacy policies. Nevertheless, an Android Wear watch for Apple users will now make more sense, provided Google services are mostly used on iPhones.
iPhone can be connected to an Android Wear watch by using the app, which has rolled out for iOS today. Currently, the iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6 and 6 Plus, running iOS 8.2 and above, can be paired with an Android Wear device. According to Google, only LG’s smartwatch, Urbane, works with iOS, but Google has stated that future Android smartwatches by Huawei, Asus and Motorola will all have iOS support.
The Apple Watch is yet to arrive in India, hence presenting limited options of wearables for the iOS userbase. With Android Wear support added now, the Android-powered watches will be able to offer cheaper, and easily attainable alternatives to the Apple Watch.