Apple remains smartwatch leader as Google, Samsung partner - Morning Brew

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Apple's hold on the smartwatch market is as secure as ever, but a new Google-Samsung partnership wants to change that.

Market update: Global smartwatch shipments overall climbed 35% year over year in Q1 2021, per a new report from Counterpoint Research. Over the same period, Apple grew its market share three percentage points to 33.5%. 

• Huawei was runner up with 8.4% market share, and Samsung was next with 8%. 

The Apple Watch stands tall mostly due to its compatibility with Apple’s billions of devices; a host of useful apps, including fitness goal tracking and heart rate monitoring; and the variety of style choices available (e.g., straps, watch faces). 

Better together?

Google has tried and failed with smartwatches before due to poor chipsets, batteries, and a lack of features, while Samsung’s market share has stagnated at 10% or less for years. 

The two are uniting to build a new Wear operating system, which borrows software (Tizen OS) and hardware (Galaxy Watches) from Samsung. The new watches will boast better battery life, 30% faster app load times, and simpler developer tools.

Google’s also taking advantage of its Fitbit acquisition by using the team to overhaul Wear OS’s health capabilities. Wear OS can now track your heart rate watching the NBA playoffs and your restless sleeping patterns after your team loses, and still have battery to spare in the morning.

Bottom line: The Google-Samsung alliance aims to be a first step in chipping away at Apple’s smartwatch dominance.—JM

The Link Lonk


June 02, 2021 at 10:04PM
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Apple remains smartwatch leader as Google, Samsung partner - Morning Brew

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