Are internet giants, including Google and Amazon, abandoning Apple Watch?

Latest update for Google Maps on iOS did not include support for Apple Watch


Tech Desk May 05, 2017
Customer Tomoyoshi Fujimura sets up his Apple Watch, which is to be paired with his iPhone, after buying it at an electronics store in Tokyo April 24, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Gone are the days when smartwatches were all the rage and every top notch tech firm was looking to grab a slice of the pie by releasing their own version.

Need proof that smartwatches are things of the past? Many tech firms are no longer releasing updates for Apple Watch as witnessed in the case of Google Maps. The latest update by the internet giant for Google Maps on iOS did not include support for Apple Watch.

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The phenomenon is not limited to Google only as Amazon and eBay updated their apps last month but neither included support for Apple’s wearable. Both previously included Apple Watch support in their iOS apps.

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What is more interesting is the fact that there has been no big riot on social media, perhaps because not many use them now. Currently, if you search for any of these apps on Apple’s App Store, you won't find the sign that says "Offers Apple Watch App for iPhone."

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It is still not clear why all these companies have abandoned Apple Watch. One possible explanation could be that all these companies might be waiting for the new version of watchOS, expected to be launched at this year's WWDC in June, which would bring changes to the platform.

Meanwhile, responding to AppleInsider, Google said its maps app will return to the Watch in the future, but offered no reason for the move.

This article originally appeared on AppleInsider

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