Recently, a report surfaced claiming that at one cut-off date, Apple was really contemplating making the Apple Watch suitable with Android telephones. Internally, this was generally known as “Project Fennel,” and it reportedly nearly got here to fruition as “the work was almost full.”
The motive for Fennel being canceled is an apparent one, as it could 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’ll dilute the worth 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 exterior of Cupertino. The firm continues to ignore Google’s relentless #GetTheMessage pleas to help RCS, regardless of others equivalent to Samsung becoming a member of the “battle.”
However, the actuality of the matter is that it would really be in Apple’s greatest pursuits to launch a smartwatch that works with Android telephones. On one hand, the firm already leads the approach when it comes to market share regardless of seeing a ten% decline YoY in shipments (in accordance to Counterpoint). Apple appears dedicated to simply trucking alongside as if nothing is occurring.
On the different, making the Apple Watch suitable 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 approach of that dream, and it occurs to be the hottest smartphone in the world.
What would an Apple Watch with Android appear to be?
Playing the hypothetical sport, I doubt Apple would change something about 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 could possibly simply buy an Apple Watch, create an Apple ID (if want be), obtain the app, and be in your approach.
One of the larger questions can be how Apple would deal with the app state of affairs. 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 kind of state of affairs the place you are mainly “caught” with no matter apps come pre-installed? I might enterprise to guess the latter, but it surely’s nonetheless fascinating to ponder.
From the report, it appears as if Apple would not be pulling a Samsung and limiting options, as an alternative giving all Android and iOS customers roughly the similar expertise. By comparability, if you would like to have entry to the ECG and blood stress monitor from the Galaxy Watch 6, it should be paired with a Samsung cellphone.
Google made the appropriate decision to not restrict any options when utilizing the Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2 with non-Pixel units. This is a part of the motive why I’ve known as Google’s newest smartwatch “The Apple Watch for Android.”
That being stated, if an Apple Watch had been launched with the capacity to be used with an Android cellphone, it could be nice for everybody. Well, everybody apart from Google and Samsung. I do know it would not matter to these huge corporations, however the customers can be completely satisfied, as they would not have to settle or really feel the pains of being locked out of Apple’s walled backyard.
There’s a motive why the Apple Watch is so widespread, 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 is this continued reliability that offers watchOS a definite 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 yr. Meanwhile, we’re up to Wear OS 4, and there isn’t any indication as to when choices like the TicWatch Pro 5 will get the replace. This is one thing I discussed in my evaluate, as every part nonetheless feels actually fragmented exterior of the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch.
Apple coming into the Android area would positively put stress on Google and Samsung to proceed enhancing the platform.
There’s cash to be made
Apple is projected to earn round $40 billion in income from its “wearables, house merchandise, and equipment” in 2023. This quantity is anticipated to slowly rise over the subsequent few years earlier than projections recommend 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 yr, or again in 2015 earlier than the Apple Watch was unveiled. Knowing this might’ve higher knowledgeable my opinion on the matter, as the tech world now could be drastically totally different than what we had eight years in the past.
Even nonetheless, I might go as far as to say that it is extra seemingly for the Apple Watch to come to Android than for Apple to undertake RCS or open up iMessage. There’s cash to be made, and the greatest approach for these corporations to hold printing money is to promote providers.
The Apple Watch on Android would open the door for the firm to earn much more cash from “providers.” Apple Fitness Plus is comparable to Fitbit Premium in that it gives numerous exercise varieties to comply with and might routinely create customized exercise plans. And when you’re figuring out, you’re able to see all of the related metrics seem in your wrist.
It may even funnel gross sales for different Apple merchandise, as Fitness Plus can be accessible on the Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. So, in the event you wished to hold your Android cellphone however reside the remainder of your life in Apple’s backyard, you could possibly, and also you would not have to sacrifice something.
Never say by no means, but it surely’s by no means occurring
While I do really feel as if there’s an space of alternative for Apple to benefit from, it is extremely unlikely that it’ll ever occur. It would most likely take some governing physique to become involved, like the European Commission, and I might actually want for that precedent not to be set.
Plus, if it had been going to occur, there’s an excellent probability that it most likely already would have. So until a miracle occurs, I’ll hold sporting my Apple Watch Ultra and dual-carrying each an iPhone and a foldable cellphone.