European Commission mandates iOS compatibility for smartwatches

Many smartwatch buying guides today separate options for iOS and Android users. This division shows how the market has changed over the past five years. Back then, non-Apple smartwatches could work with iPhones, but they lacked some features that made Apple Watches better, like quick replies to texts. Recently, the European Commission told Apple to make iOS more compatible with other devices. This means that third-party smartwatches can now display and interact with iOS notifications, which has excited many users. Garmin fans have especially welcomed this news because they have wanted quick reply options for a long time. Apple has criticized this decision, claiming it may hurt their ability to innovate. However, over recent years, smartwatch updates have been somewhat boring. Expected designs and features have not changed much, with no major breakthroughs in the market. Other tech accessories, like smart rings and glasses, are starting to capture more interest than smartwatches. The European Union’s move could help consumers by allowing them to choose smartwatches based on their needs rather than only their phone brand. For example, a serious runner could prefer a Garmin for its features, but still want to reply to messages easily. This shift could push companies to improve their products, making smartwatches more exciting in the future.