Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Google wants Android Wear smartwatches to be iOS compatible

Google is looking into making Android Wear smartwatches iOS compatible, the company’s product manager has revealed.

In a move that would allow the likes of the Moto 360 to be synced with your new iPhone 6, Google has suggested it hopes to bring further platform support to its new wearable OS.

“We always want as many users as possible to enjoy our experience, so in terms of enabling more people to use Android Wear we’re very interested in making that happen,” Android Wear PM Jeff Chang said in fielding questions on potential Android Wear support for iOS.

Despite these hopes and goals for cross-platform support, Chang has been realistic in the barriers standing in the way of such a move.

Speaking with the Huffington Post he added: “It’s not always completely up to us right? There are technical constraints, API constraints so we are trying really hard.

“We would love to have Android Wear reach as many people as possible but I’ll just say that it’s not 100 per cent under our control.”

With Apple having recently unveiled its first wearable effort, the iOS utilising Apple Watch, and with Microsoft widely believed to be working on a device of its own, we would be extremely surprised if rival platforms opened themselves up to Android Wear.

At present, devices such as the Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch are compatible only with smartphone running Google’s Android platform.

In contrast, certain smartwatches such as the Pebble Steel, or the upcoming Withings Activite will work with both iOS and Android handset.

Read More:
Samsung Galaxy S6 release date

Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

author icon

Editorial independence

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

author icon

Professional conduct

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

Trusted Reviews Logo

Sign up and get the best deals straight to your phone

Skip the hunt - get the latest discounts delivered directly to WhatsApp by signing up to the Trusted deals Whatsapp Channel.

Get Access