Kaitlyn Cimino/Android Authority
long story short
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing it of creating a monopoly through the iPhone.
- In response to the lawsuit, Apple revealed that it spent three years working on Android compatibility for the Apple Watch but ultimately gave up.
- The lawsuit highlights the common difficulty of using Apple products with other brands, making it costly for users to switch ecosystems.
Surprisingly, Apple revealed that it had previously explored making the Apple Watch compatible with Android phones. It’s part of the company’s recent lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, which accuses the company of creating a monopoly on iPhones, specifically by making its products difficult to use with other brands.
While Apple is known for its “walled garden” approach, where its devices work best within its ecosystem, it does seem to be opening up opportunities for Android compatibility, at least on the Apple Watch.
We’ve previously reported that Apple was developing an Android-compatible Apple Watch, but this appears to be the first time the company has confirmed the news.according to 9 to 5Apple confirmed that it spent three years trying to make the Apple Watch compatible with Android, but ultimately scrapped the project due to “technical limitations.”
Since Apple Watch is only available for iPhone, users who want to give up their iPhone must give up their Apple Watch and buy a new Android-compatible smartwatch. Last year, when I switched to a foldable phone, I had to sell my Apple Watch for a fraction of its original price.
If Apple Watch supported Android, would you buy it?
111 votes
The U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Apple involves more than just Apple Watch’s limited compatibility. The lawsuit accuses Apple of engaging in a variety of practices that create barriers for users who want to use products/services from other brands. These include blocking “super apps” that simplify iPhone switching, hindering cloud-based gaming apps, deliberately degrading messaging capabilities between iPhones and Android devices, and preventing third-party developers from creating competing Apple Pay-compatible numbers. wallet.
Apple later denied the claims, saying the lawsuit was “wrong as a matter of fact and law.”
If all devices, regardless of brand, worked perfectly together, there would be a clear advantage for consumers. Apple’s advantage, however, is its tightly connected ecosystem. Seamless integration between iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch is one of its biggest selling points. It’s worth noting that even Samsung’s Galaxy Watch offers some features that are only available on Samsung phones. Therefore, forcing Apple to open up its ecosystem may be beneficial for wider compatibility, but it may also affect the company’s core competencies.