Technology trends tend to dictate that whoever wants to go up against Apple in a market they're creating must put up a large fight. The ruins of failed competitors to Apple's signature products are littered with the bones of Microsoft Zunes and similar products that just couldn't compete. New technology trends tend to stay on Apple's side until convincing competition comes along – the organization has a lot of goodwill from the legacy of Steve Jobs and its part in standardizing the smartphone. However, this doesn't mean that the now venerable company is invincible. Google is more than enough of a competitor to sell a product that could potentially outclass Apple's, according to TechCrunch. The only question is – will they?
"It is simply too early to tell whether or not smartwatches will take off.
Google's line of wearables and wearable-friendly watches may wind up having some features Apple hasn't considered yet. Major news broke in late January that Google Now will allow notifications from third-party applications. This will also allow content from those apps to be streamed directly go any wearables running the Android platform. This is important because it allows phones to display potentially very relevant information in a highly streamlined manner. In fact, the feature is so user-friendly in its design that it's almost… Apple-esque.
Things that can now be displayed by a Android Wear-capable smartwatch:
- Pertinent rental spaces available through Airbnb
- TripAdvisor notifications for local areas
- Pandora recommendations for music
- Instacart grocery lists
- Shazam music purchases
- eBay auction notifications
- Walgreens scannable QR codes
- Available local real estate listings
- Running progress on Strava
More of these things, with pictures of the associated Google cards, are available on Slashgear.
Whether or not new notifications can be made to turn the tides for those interested in Android Wear phones is a very good question. It remains to be seen if people are lining up to purchase Apple Watches because they're good wrist-computing devices or if they're simply excellent decorative arm fashion. The higher ends of the pricing spectrum for the watches, like the Apple Edition model, support the theory that Apple wants to be seen as a luxury brand.
Apple's watch won't be a slouch when it comes to compatibility, either. It will work with the new iPhone 6 and 6+, as well as the older 5s and 5c models, giving it frankly unusual amounts of back catalogue support for an Apple product. The watch faces of the Apple Watch are highly customizable from the get-go, offering users a variety of options and ways to express their unique affiliation to the Apple brand. There has been no word as to whether or not Google will allow similar levels of modification to the start screen, but it is likely that someone with a beard, a T-shirt that says "</sudo>" and sandals with socks on underneath will program them for everyone else.
Is there space for more wearables?
The big question is whether or not this new technology trend will blossom into a market for many competing groups to release their own wearables. While fitness trackers have a proven, if very niche, appeal, it is hard to say whether or not the advent of the Apple Watch and Google Wear will actually create a market like they did with smartphones. There are certainly many reasons why a given individual would purchase one of these items, but it's too early to say whether or not we all need an additional screen in our lives. Without mass-market approval and acceptance, it is still possible that both products eventually become massive flops. We can only know after a year or two has gone by whether or not they were simple fads, or indicative of new, even more connected way of living.
