Android Wear now works with iPhones • Hacker News Board

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#31

Post by fredfoobar42 » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 7:03 PM UTC

jdlyga wrote: post #5

I wonder how well Android Wear supports iOS features compared to the Apple Watch. For example, replying to text messages, receiving notifications, etc. Is there any info on this?

By all accounts, it works as well with iOS as the Pebble does, which is to say "Barely."

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#32

Post by BinaryIdiot » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 7:13 PM UTC

fudged71 wrote: post #22

joelhaasnoot wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The trick is to make sure you get the latest Android Wear. That'll require an Android device. Not all iPhone owners will also own an Android device. Edit: You'll need someone's phone for a few hours - the updates don't come all at once. But it's a matter of installing the Wear app on an Android device, pairing, installing updates. Then wipe the watch and pair with iPhone

How involved is this process if I borrow someone else's phone to do so?

It's not bad; I inadvertently did this trying to use the hacks to get my Moto 360 to work on my iPhone several months ago (which kinda worked but was really shitty). I just installed Android Wear on my old Android phone, paid it, it offered the update pretty quickly (though I can't remember if there is a way to force this or if it's only automatic), installed it and then I reset it.

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#33

Post by arihant » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 7:28 PM UTC

an4rchy wrote: post #28

It would be great to see Apple do the same... They have done this with Apple music (support on Android), if it will help you sell more watches/subscriptions would it hurt?

I doubt it. THis move makes iPhone the only phone compliant with all the smartwatches. I don't think Apple wants to change that.

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#34

Post by an4rchy » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 7:33 PM UTC

arihant wrote: post #33

an4rchy wrote: post #28

It would be great to see Apple do the same... They have done this with Apple music (support on Android), if it will help you sell more watches/subscriptions would it hurt?

I doubt it. THis move makes iPhone the only phone compliant with all the smartwatches. I don't think Apple wants to change that.

If that was the case, they wouldn't have put Apple Music on Android, seeing as Google Music was already on iOS.

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#35

Post by drzaiusapelord » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 7:51 PM UTC

an4rchy wrote: post #28

It would be great to see Apple do the same... They have done this with Apple music (support on Android), if it will help you sell more watches/subscriptions would it hurt?

I think Apple had to decide between making the Apple Watch an open-ish platform; allowing watch companies to make "shells" around it with their own style or just allow Android watches to connect so that people can get their styles from the various Android OEMs. They chose the latter, probably because they want full control over the Apple Watch from soup to nuts.

I'm sure AndroidWear will not be allowed the same tight integration the Apple Watch has, the same way many Google services and apps on iOS are hobbled. There's an element of, "Oh they want crap? Then give them crap," here.

Its also depressing that the narrative here is, "OMG They're letting us use some peripherals of our choice with our phones? How generous!" Its sad how far we've fallen from actually being able to use the things we buy.

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#36

Post by dozy » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 8:25 PM UTC

an4rchy wrote: post #34

arihant wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt it. THis move makes iPhone the only phone compliant with all the smartwatches. I don't think Apple wants to change that.

If that was the case, they wouldn't have put Apple Music on Android, seeing as Google Music was already on iOS.

Worth noting that Apple releasing Apple Music on Android is the exception to the rule - what other 1st-party Apple software/apps are available on Android?

Also, Apple Music on Android isn't even released yet :-/

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#37

Post by JonnyaiR » Mon, Aug 31, 2015, 10:50 PM UTC

an4rchy wrote: post #34

arihant wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt it. THis move makes iPhone the only phone compliant with all the smartwatches. I don't think Apple wants to change that.

If that was the case, they wouldn't have put Apple Music on Android, seeing as Google Music was already on iOS.

They're releasing an android app to compete with Spotify on the family accounts, it's quite likely that at least one member of a family doesn't own an iPhone and uses an android phone. These families would use Spotify (or any other cross platform service) instead of apple music.

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#38

Post by andybak » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 12:19 AM UTC

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #15

kin wrote: post #3

Wow, this is pretty awesome. It feels weird to be an iOS user with options.

I really hope you don't get down voted for this. The world needs more interop. Period. So tired of vendor lock in for almost everything.

Yep. Supporting interop is a growing factor in my choice of product. Unfortunately it's getting harder to find a vendor that is even trying.

I love what Apple has done to push UX as a primary USP - I feel the balance needs to shift somewhat. Other things are valuable too.

Re: Android Wear now works with iPhones

#39

Post by gedy » Tue, Sep 01, 2015, 4:29 PM UTC

FYI for the curious: It does work with my older Moto 360 and iPhone, but some caveats:

- It seems to need the iOS app running all the time, otherwise get a constant, undismissable "Touch to reconnect" on Watch, unlike on Android.

- Wifi from watch does not work.

- Very limited watch face selection, unlike Android.