Just lately, a report surfaced claiming that at one time limit, Apple was really contemplating making the Apple Watch suitable with Android telephones. Internally, this was often known as “Undertaking Fennel,” and it reportedly virtually got here to fruition as “the work was practically full.”
The rationale 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, “In case 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 corporate continues to disregard Google’s relentless #GetTheMessage pleas to assist RCS, regardless of others similar to Samsung becoming a member of the “struggle.”
Nonetheless, the fact of the matter is that it’d really be in Apple’s finest pursuits to launch a smartwatch that works with Android telephones. On one hand, the corporate already leads the best way by way of market share regardless of seeing a ten% decline YoY in shipments (in keeping with Counterpoint). Apple appears dedicated to simply trucking alongside as if nothing is going on.
On the opposite, making the Apple Watch suitable with Android telephones would possible lead to Apple proudly owning much more market share, placing it handily out of attain of the competitors. Sadly, there’s one factor getting in the best way of that dream, and it occurs to be the most well-liked smartphone on the planet.
What would an Apple Watch with Android appear to be?
Enjoying the hypothetical recreation, I doubt Apple would change something concerning the software program or design of its wearable. The one main distinction would possible be to launch a devoted Watch app onto the Play Retailer. Then, you possibly can simply buy an Apple Watch, create an Apple ID (if want be), obtain the app, and be in your manner.
One of many larger questions can be how Apple would deal with the app state of affairs. That is a part of why Android compatibility can be so intriguing. Would Apple work with Google to permit apps from the Play Retailer? Would we find yourself with an Amazfit or Fitbit kind of state of affairs the place you are principally “caught” 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 an alternative giving all Android and iOS customers roughly the identical expertise. By comparability, if you wish to have entry to the ECG and blood stress 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 units. That is a part of the explanation why I’ve referred to as Google’s newest smartwatch “The Apple Look ahead to Android.”
That being mentioned, if an Apple Watch have been launched with the flexibility for use with an Android telephone, it could be nice for everybody. Effectively, everybody moreover Google and Samsung. I do know it does not matter to those huge corporations, however the customers can be glad, as they would not must settle or really feel the pains of being locked out of Apple’s walled backyard.
There is a motive why the Apple Watch is so fashionable, 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 Put on OS watches, noting that “it is this continued reliability that offers watchOS a definite edge over Put on OS.” Google continues to enhance the panorama of Android smartwatches with its re-commitment to the platform, which began again with Put on OS 3.
However, even then, Put on OS 3 was unique to Samsung smartwatches for a yr. In the meantime, we’re as much as Put on OS 4, and there is no indication as to when choices just like the TicWatch Professional 5 will get the replace. That is one thing I discussed in my overview, as every thing 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, residence merchandise, and equipment” in 2023. This quantity is predicted to slowly rise over the subsequent few years earlier than projections counsel Apple crossing the $60 billion threshold in 2027.
Sadly, the Bloomberg report does not give us an thought of when Undertaking 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. Understanding this might’ve higher knowledgeable my opinion on the matter, because the tech world now’s drastically totally different than what we had eight years in the past.
Even nonetheless, I’d go as far as to say that it is extra possible for the Apple Watch to come back to Android than for Apple to undertake RCS or open up iMessage. There’s cash to be made, and one of the best 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 “providers.” Apple Health Plus is much like Fitbit Premium in that it offers numerous exercise varieties to observe and may robotically create customized exercise plans. And when you’re understanding, you’ll be able to see all the related metrics seem in your wrist.
It might even funnel gross sales for different Apple merchandise, as Health Plus can also be accessible on the Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. So, in the event you needed to maintain your Android telephone however stay the remainder of your life in Apple’s backyard, you possibly can, and also you would not must sacrifice something.
By no means say by no means, nevertheless it’s by no means occurring
Whereas 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 will most likely take some governing physique to become involved, just like the European Fee, and I’d actually desire for that precedent to not be set.
Plus, if it have been going to occur, there’s an excellent likelihood that it most likely already would have. So except a miracle occurs, I will maintain carrying my Apple Watch Extremely and dual-carrying each an iPhone and a foldable telephone.
