Apple initially had plans to make the Apple Watch compatible with Android devices, particularly focusing on features like health tracking. However, these intentions ultimately changed, and the company decided to make the Apple Watch exclusively compatible with iPhones and other Apple products.
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According to a recent Bloomberg report, Apple’s engineers were actively working on a project named “Project Fennel” to make the Apple Watch and its Health app compatible with the vast number of Android devices. This approach was seen as a strategy to expand Apple’s market share in regions where the iPhone had limited popularity.
The report didn’t specify the exact time when Apple shifted its strategy and ceased Android compatibility development. Still, it did note that the process of making the Apple Watch work with Android devices was nearly complete.
The decision to halt the Android compatibility project was primarily driven by “business considerations.” Apple was likely concerned that supporting the Apple Watch on non-Apple products might negatively impact its sales. As a result, the company decided to abandon the Android initiative and enhance the experience for iPhone users instead.
This revelation aligns with previous reports and email exchanges indicating that Apple had also explored bringing iMessage to non-Apple devices but subsequently discontinued the project. Apple’s focus seems to be on creating an ecosystem that encourages user loyalty, thereby maintaining users within its operating system and product ecosystem.
While there’s no confirmed information on this matter, it’s possible that Apple’s reluctance to support RCS (Rich Communication Services) is influenced by a similar strategy.
As of now, using an Apple Watch with an Android device is not straightforward. The watch can be connected to an LTE network or Wi-Fi, but initial setup and notification syncing require an iPhone. Having two devices is often impractical for most users, as one device typically fulfils their daily needs.
The details about how an Apple Watch would have interacted with Android devices, such as downloading apps from the App Store or syncing notifications, remain unknown and unanswered. It is improbable that Apple Watch will be supported on non-Apple devices in the future.
Despite these limitations, Apple remains a dominant player in the smartwatch market, with other companies like Samsung and Google also making strides in providing app support, compatibility, and accurate tracking for smartwatches. Samsung has been a significant contender in the smartwatch industry for several years, catering to Samsung users.
