Wired
Fossil, a US-based seller of watches and fashion accessories, has discovered that its latest Wear OS smartwatch "Gen 5" can be connected to Apple's iPhone via a software update.
Calls via iPhone are finally possible
Smart watches equipped with Wear OS have been connected to the iPhone for a long time and data such as schedules can be shared, but although incoming calls are notified, it is not possible to take a call (speak) with the smart watch did.
However, with this software update, it seems that it is finally possible to make calls from "Gen 5" via the iPhone. A Fossil Gen 5 user reports on Reddit. There is also a report that this update has improved the sound quality of calls when connected to an Android smartphone.
Wear OS struggling-attractive hardware is required
While the smartwatch market is growing, driven by Apple and Samsung (OS is Tizen), the share of Android-based Wear OS-based watches developed by Google is expected to shrink.
Fossil is a representative brand of Wear OS smartwatches, but according to research company Counterpoint, the company's share in the global smartwatch market in the first quarter of 2019 (January to March) was 2.5%, Reduced from 3.2%. Even with all Wear OS watches, the share has not reached 10%.
US media 9to5Google, in addition to the excellent SoC (system on chip) to activate Wear OS, for example, the introduction of attractive hardware by powerful brands such as Google's Pixel Watch that has been rumored before It points out that it is necessary.
Source: 9to5Google (1), (2)
(lunatic)
Source: iPhone Mania