Google has previously hinted of plans to make Android Wear work with the Apple iPhone and now, asApple prepares to launch its first wearable, The Verge suggests that Google is close to the finishing line. Android Wear currently uses a companion app on Android smartphones and it’s believed that it would use the same approach on the iPhone, if the app is approved by Apple.
At this stage of development, Android Wear on iPhone supports notifications and Google Now – including cards and voice actions – but by its release, it is also expected to bring advanced integration with Google’s own applications, including the ability to reply to a message. At present it does seem like Android Wear on the iPhone will be limited to basic functionality, but there remains questions about whether Google will be able to get advanced features like music control working, as we’ve seen with devices like the Pebble smart watch.
Google introducing support for iPhone does not mean that it will be approved and with the Apple Watch the Cupertino giant’s biggest launch in years, Apple may feel that it doesn’t want the competition offered by Google’s wearable platform. Another potential issue is Apple’s policy of rejecting apps that mention competing platforms and with Android in the name, Apple may use this as a reason for rejecting Google’s approach.
A rejection by Apple isn’t likely to deter third party developers who have already successfully (kind of) got Android Wear working with the iPhone (seen in video above), and official support from Google would only make this process easier. Would you use Android Wear with an iPhone? Or would you like to see Android support for the Apple Watch? Let us know your views in the comments.
