As Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the Apple Watch, Google is reportedly working on connectivity for Android Wear devices with the Apple iPhone.
The news comes at a time when buzz around the Apple Watch is rising, and the move by Google can be seen as a way for Google to compete at a higher level with Apple in the wearable space. But how will it affect Apple's sales?
Apple is known for its airtight integration between its products. The iPhone, for example, integrates almost seamlessly with OS X through things like Continuity and iCloud. Content can by synced across multiple devices extremely easily, and this is no different with the Apple Watch, largely because of the fact that the Apple Watch pulls its information mostly from the iPhone to which it is connected.
In reality, however, the Apple Watch is not used for content consumption in the same way that the iPhone is. While it is certain that the Apple Watch will be more highly integrated with an iPhone than any Android Wear device could be, it's likely that most users won't need or even want this level of integration.
Smartwatches are currently in their infancy, and while eventually we may see features that revolutionize how we integrate with technology, currently, smartwatches are mostly used for quick and easy notification access, as well as, of course, checking the time. With Google developing iOS connectivity in Android Wear, it is almost certain that an Android Wear device will be able to view notifications from iOS.
While Apple users have famously been happy with the company's design choices without needing too many options, the ability to sync Android Wear devices with an iPhone will give iPhone users many more choices if they do want a smartwatch. Considering the fact that the average Android Wear device is quite a bit cheaper than the Apple Watch, Apple has some cause for concern.
The fact that the Apple Watch has been getting less than rave reviews is another reason why Android Wear devices may gain in sales. While most reviewers argue that the Apple Watch is certainly well designed, the general consensus is that it is slow and has a long way to go before it is a real force in the wearable market. It is highly likely that the Apple Watch 2 will be a much bigger force in the tech industry, but the current version of the Apple Watch is below par.
Google developing an Android Wear app for iOS is a very smart decision. It comes at a time when the Apple Watch is vulnerable in terms of sales, and it is highly likely to draw sales from Apple.
