Key Updates from Apple
(Continued from Prior Part)
Android Wear for Apple iPhones
In the last part of this series, we learned about shipment figures of Apple (AAPL) Watch as well as its positioning among its peers during 2Q15. We also learned about some of the new features in watchOS2, which is expected to be out in the fall of 2015.
Meanwhile, Google (GOOGL) (GOOG) took a step to make Android Wear compatible with iPhones, releasing the Android Wear App for iOS on August 31, 2015. According to David Singleton, Android Wear’s Director of Engineering, “Android Wear for iOS is rolling out today. Just pair your iPhone (iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 8.2+) with an Android Wear watch to bring simple and helpful information right to your wrist.”
According to the same post on Google’s Official Blog, as of August 31, 2015, Android Wear for iOS is operational on LG’s (LGEAF) Watch Urbane. Google states that it should be available for use in future watch releases offering Android Wear, including watches manufactured by Motorola, Asus, and Huawei.
Android Wear versus watchOS
Google’s new effort to tap into the demand of smart watches among iPhone users came after a quarter when Android Wear lost a significant share of the market by shipments after the launch of Apple Watch.
According to Strategy Analytics, watchOS dominated the smartwatch operating system space by shipments in 2Q15. Also, watchOS held 75.5% of this market. Android Wear’s share in this space was 11.3% during 2Q15. In 2Q14, Android Wear’s share was a significant 28.6% in this market, and the remaining share belonged to others during the period. Apart from Android Wear, the other key player in this market was Tizen in 2Q14.
You can take a diversified exposure to Google by investing in the PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ), which held ~7.7% in the tech giant on July 31, 2015.
Alternatively, you can take a more diversified exposure to Google by investing in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). SPY held ~2% in Google on July 31.
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