Apple got sued last month by the United States Department of Justice, the reason behind the lawsuit was the monopolization of the smartphone market, and some information has surfaced that talks about how the iPhone maker did have plans of making its watch compatible with Android devices.
In an alternative reality, Apple Watch could have been compatible with all Android devices but we’ll never see that happen
In the lawsuit, the agency used Apple Watch as an example, showing how the company has a monopoly when it comes to its products. The statement said, “Apple’s smartwatch—Apple Watch—is only compatible with the iPhone. So, if Apple can steer a user towards buying an Apple Watch, it becomes more costly for that user to purchase a different kind of smartphone because doing so requires the user to abandon their costly Apple Watch and purchase a new, Android-compatible smartwatch.”
In response to the acquisitions made by the DOJ, Apple talked about how, at one point, it considered making its watch compatible with Android. The plan was even under evaluation for three years, but the company eventually had to let it go due to technical limitations.
Now, if this had actually happened and if the Cupertino tech giant hadn’t given up the idea, we would have seen cross-platform compatibility between different operating systems and devices. Apple Watches working on Android devices could have also resulted in Wear OS smartwatches never becoming a big thing in the market.
There are so many possibilities that could have taken off if Apple had decided to not give up on the idea of its watch working on Android devices, But I suppose we are never going to find that out and to some extent, it’s fine. We now have Wear OS and although the popularity might not be as high, it certainly is doing something for itself and I have a feeling that it will continue to do so.
What do you think about an Apple Watch paired with a Galaxy S24 Ultra or other high-end Android smartphone? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
