In recent news, Apple has officially confirmed that they considered making the Apple Watch compatible with Android phones back in November 2023. This revelation came as part of the company’s response to the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit, which accused Apple of maintaining a monopoly in the smartphone market through its products and services, including the Apple Watch. The DOJ highlighted a 2019 email from an Apple executive acknowledging that cross-compatibility between the watch and Android devices could impact iPhone sales.
According to reports, Apple had been working on adding Android support to its watches under a project named Project Fennel for three years before ultimately abandoning it due to technical limitations. The decision was made based on business considerations as well. The move sparked further scrutiny from regulators who argue that keeping the Apple Watch exclusive to iPhones serves as a strategy to maintain customer loyalty and prevent them from switching to other phone brands. This development has added fuel to an already complex legal battle between tech giants and government regulators over antitrust practices and competition issues in the industry.
Apple responded by stating that allowing its products like CarPlay and digital keys, along with potential cross-compatibility with Android devices, is essential for fostering innovation and meeting consumer demand in highly competitive markets. The company believes that such lawsuits threaten their ability to deliver cutting-edge technology while also setting precedents that could undermine fair competition standards across industries.
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