Android Wear Now Works With iPhones: 5 Reasons You Should Ditch Your Apple Watch And Go Google

Android Wear has arrived on iOS. Thanks to a new iPhone app, Google has opened the door to a whole new group of users looking to get in on the smartwatch revolution. But isn’t the Apple Watch supposed to be the wearable to end all wearables? Perhaps, but don't dismiss Google just yet; there are good reasons iPhone users would choose Android Wear over Apple Watch.

Android Wear Watches Look More Like Actual Watches

One complaint about the Apple Watch that sometimes crops up is that it looks like a gadget strapped to the wrist (the square shape is reminiscent of a 1980s Casio watch). If you want your watch to look more like, well, a watch, then you’ll probably be satisfied with something like the LG Watch Urbane, which is actually the only smartwatch officially supported by Android Wear right now. Every new Android Wear watch from here on out will be supported by iOS, which means …

There Will Be A Wider Range To Choose From

One of the great things about the Android ecosystem is the wide range of choice from a variety of manufacturers, and that extends to wearables. Fashion is a very personal thing, and the freedom to choose from a variety of watch styles will be appreciated by those who aren’t satisfied with Apple's three watch collections.

The Watches Have Very Good Support

Google has managed to get a surprising number of features working with iOS. Considering its walled-garden nature, some rudimentary notification support could have been the limit. But Google also supports voice search, native apps, and fitness tracking, among other features. There are a few caveats, but by and large support is very good.

The Screen Is Always On

This is a big bonus. Unlike the Apple Watch, you can set the screen on Android Wear to stay on all the time. A screen that's always on means your watch works more like an actual watch. You don’t need to move your wrist to wake it up: Any time you glance at it, you will always be able to see the time. It’s almost insulting that the Apple Watch doesn’t have this feature. What’s the point of having a watch if you can’t check the time with a quick glance?

They're Much Cheaper

The Apple Watch starts at $349 for the 38mm sport version. That’s not bad, but if money is tight, you could take a look at the Moto 360, which starts at $149. That’s not on the list of supported devices, but one YouTuber has shown it can be done. Of course, if you know your money is tight, you probably shouldn’t buy a smartwatch in the first place.