Apple made the wrong decision not bringing the Apple Watch to Android

Recently, a report surfaced claiming that at one cut-off date, Apple was truly contemplating making the Apple Watch appropriate with Android telephones. Internally, this was referred to as “Project Fennel,” and it reportedly virtually got here to fruition as “the work was nearly complete.”The cause for Fennel being canceled is an apparent one, as it might have an effect on the gross sales of iPhones. One quote goes as far as to say, “If you gave up the watch to Android, you would dilute the value 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 outdoors of Cupertino. The firm continues to disregard Google’s relentless #GetTheMessage pleas to assist RCS, regardless of others comparable to Samsung becoming a member of the “fight.”However, the truth of the matter is that it’d truly be in Apple’s finest pursuits to launch a smartwatch that works with Android telephones. On one hand, the corporate already leads the way in which when it comes to market share regardless of seeing a 10% decline YoY in shipments (in response to Counterpoint). Apple appears dedicated to only trucking alongside as if nothing is occurring.(Image credit score: Counterpoint Research)On the opposite, making the Apple Watch appropriate with Android telephones would seemingly lead to Apple proudly owning much more market share, placing it handily out of attain of the competitors. Unfortunately, there’s one factor getting in the way in which of that dream, and it occurs to be the preferred smartphone on the planet.What would an Apple Watch with Android appear to be?(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Playing the hypothetical sport, I doubt Apple would change something concerning the software program or design of its wearable. The solely main distinction would seemingly be to launch a devoted Watch app onto the Play Store. Then, you might simply buy an Apple Watch, create an Apple ID (if want be), obtain the app, and be in your method.One of the larger questions can be how Apple would deal with the app scenario. This is a part of why Android compatibility can be so intriguing. Would Apple work with Google to permit apps from the Play Store? Would we find yourself with an Amazfit or Fitbit sort of scenario the place you are principally “stuck” with no matter apps come pre-installed? I’d 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 a substitute giving all Android and iOS customers roughly the identical expertise. By comparability, if you wish to have entry to the ECG and blood strain monitor from the Galaxy Watch 6, it should be paired with a Samsung telephone.Google made the right choice to not restrict any options when utilizing the Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2 with non-Pixel gadgets. This is a part of the explanation why I’ve known as Google’s newest smartwatch “The Apple Watch for Android.”(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)That being mentioned, if an Apple Watch have been launched with the flexibility for use with an Android telephone, it might be nice for everybody. Well, everybody apart from Google and Samsung. I do know it would not matter to those monumental corporations, however the customers can be joyful, as they would not should settle or really feel the pains of being locked out of Apple’s walled backyard.There’s a cause why the Apple Watch is so well-liked, and the dependable software program ecosystem is an enormous a part of that. My compadre, Harish, not too long ago defined why he prefers the Apple Watch to Wear OS watches, noting that “it’s this continued reliability that gives watchOS a distinct edge over Wear OS.” Google continues to enhance the panorama of Android smartwatches with its re-commitment to the platform, which began again with Wear OS 3.But, even then, Wear OS 3 was unique to Samsung smartwatches for a 12 months. Meanwhile, we’re as much as Wear OS 4, and there is not any indication as to when choices just like the TicWatch Pro 5 will get the replace. This is one thing I discussed in my evaluate, as the whole lot nonetheless feels actually fragmented outdoors of the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch.Apple coming into the Android house would positively put strain on Google and Samsung to proceed enhancing the platform.There’s cash to be made(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Apple is projected to earn round $40 billion in income from its “wearables, home products, and accessories” in 2023. This quantity is predicted to slowly rise over the following few years earlier than projections counsel Apple crossing the $60 billion threshold in 2027.Unfortunately, the Bloomberg report would not give us an concept of when Project 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. Knowing this is able to’ve higher knowledgeable my opinion on the matter, because the tech world now’s drastically completely different than what we had eight years in the past.(Image credit score: Bloomberg)Even nonetheless, I’d go as far as to say that it is extra seemingly for the Apple Watch to return to Android than for Apple to undertake RCS or open up iMessage. There’s cash to be made, and one of the simplest ways for these corporations to maintain printing money is to promote providers.The Apple Watch on Android would open the door for the corporate to earn much more cash from “services.” Apple Fitness Plus is just like Fitbit Premium in that it offers numerous exercise sorts to comply with and might routinely create customized exercise plans. And whilst 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 Fitness Plus can also be accessible on the Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. So, should you needed to maintain your Android telephone however stay the remainder of your life in Apple’s backyard, you might, and also you would not should sacrifice something.Never say by no means, nevertheless it’s by no means occurring(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)While I do really feel as if there’s an space of alternative for Apple to reap the benefits of, it is extremely unlikely that it’s going to ever occur. It would in all probability take some governing physique to become involved, just like the European Commission, and I’d actually desire for that precedent to not be set.Plus, if it have been going to occur, there’s an excellent probability that it in all probability already would have. So except a miracle occurs, I’ll preserve carrying my Apple Watch Ultra and dual-carrying each an iPhone and a foldable telephone.