Android Wear now works with the Apple iPhone

After a lot of rumours and speculation, Google has now released an app to make Android Wear smartwatches compatible with iOS devices running 8.2 and above. This includes the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus. The app that’s rolling out today means that iPhone users now have an alternative to the Apple Watch and other smartwatches, such as the Pebble Time, when it comes to controlling their iPhone from their wrist.

However, the bad news is that the only Android Wear watch that’s compatible at present is the LG Watch Urbane. Google promises in a blog post that all future Android Wear watches, such as those from Huawei with the Huawei Watch, Asus with the ZenWatch 2 and Motorola, will all support iOS. There’s no mention if support for existing Android Wear smartwatches is coming, which could leave a few users out in the cold although chances are they bought them to pair with an Android device.

^The LG Watch Urbane is the only watch currently supported by iOS

The usual array of Android Wear features will be making the transition to iOS, including the always-on functions that keep important information permanently on the screen, rather than requiring you to wake the watch from a sleep state by moving your wrist. Heart rate and pedometer functionality will also work as will the microphone so you can take advantage of the ‘OK Google’ command to issue instructions or ask questions of the Google app.

The Apple Watch is reportedly struggling, with sales dropping below 10,000 a day in July, having been as high as 200,000 immediately after launch. Google must see this as an opportune time to get Android Wear devices in the hands (or should I say on the wrists) of users who want a less expensive alternative to the Apple Watch. Many Android Wear devices are available for a fraction of the cost of even the cheapest Apple Watch and more are constantly being announced.