Some smartwatches that run on Google’s Android Wear operating system will now be compatible with Apple’s iPhones for the first time, Google announced Monday.
Until now, smartwatches running Android Wear, which are made by a variety of manufacturers, could only connect with phones also running an Android operating system. Given the introduction of the Apple Watch earlier this year, this move is likely made to attract potential buyers who want to keep their iPhone but might want a non-Apple smartwatch.
There will be some limitations to the iPhone-Android Wear connection. For instance, iPhone users won’t be able to connect their watch to a Wi-Fi network or use some Android Wear apps. Additionally, the only officially-supported Android Wear smartwatch is, for now, LG’s Watch Urbane — but Google says all future Android Wear watches will be iPhone-compatible.
