The Apple Watch has been a success so far, reportedly selling a whopping 2.3 million units in pre-orders so far.
This represents the fastest wearable device ever, something that was certainly expected from Apple. What could this mean for other wearable devices, like those running Android Wear?
While many think of the competition between wearable devices as "Apple Watch vs. Android Wear," the reality is a little different. Many, for example, expect that the Apple Watch will jump-start the wearable market in general. Wearing a smartwatch will become the trendy thing to do, as dictated by Apple. In fact, the same thing happened when Apple released the iPhone. It could be argued that the smartphone revolution was set to happen regardless of Apple's involvement, however, Apple's involvement certainly made it happen faster.
Because of the fact that Apple is setting this new trend, Android Wear device manufacturers are likely to sell more than they ever have before. This is especially highlighted because of the fact that the Apple Watch is more expensive than many other wearable devices, and those who want to be a part of the action but cannot afford an Apple Watch will likely turn to devices powered by Android Wear.
Manufacturers of Android Wear devices, however, will have to take a cue from the Apple Watch. One of the main focuses of the Apple Watch is design. The Apple Watch is designed extremely well, featuring a sleek look and a huge potential for customization. Android Wear manufacturers seem to have had more of a focus on specifications to date. While this is certainly respectable, the fact is that a wearable device is going to be more of a fashion statement far more than any smartphone or computer could be.
While Android Wear device manufacturers may not have wanted the Apple Watch to dominate the market so much, the fact is that it will likely end up being good for them, not only because it will make using wearable devices a trendy thing to do, but it will also give them a lot of room to grow. Google is reportedly planning on releasing an Android Wear app for iOS, making Android Wear devices compatible with the iPhone. If Android Wear manufacturers were to create devices that not only performed better than the Apple Watch but also looked better than it, there could be some serious competition.
Over the next few years, the wearable market is certainly going to be interesting. Only time will tell if it will be a repeat of the iPhone and iPad with the Apple Watch or if device makers have other ideas.
