The European Commission has launched a study aimed at forcing Apple to give the same access to watches from third-party manufacturers as to Apple Watches.
To use an Apple Watch, users must have an iPhone available. On the other hand, it remains possible to use a connected watch from another brand while owning an Apple smartphone… but with many limits.
To go further
What is the best Apple Watch to choose in 2024? Our comparison
Indeed, in addition to the fact that Wear OS watches are not compatible with iOS, Apple strongly restricts the use of other connected watches when they are connected to an iPhone. Impossible, for example, to choose which applications can send notifications to the watch, unlike Apple Watches or how watches work with an Android phone.
The European Commission wants to open iOS to other watches
It is precisely these obstacles that the European Commission is tackling. This week, she delivered her first conclusions about “ interoperability between Apple’s iOS operating system and connected devices » as part of the DMA.
To go further
How the EU wants to put an end to the abuses of Internet giants, the “Gamam”
The DMA actually requires certain manufacturers to interoperate their operating systems with certain third-party brands. Enough to allow developers of third-party applications or equipment to design devices that can easily work with an iPhone. The European Commission cites in particular certain functions exclusive to Apple, such as AirDrop, AirPlay or automatic switching of Bluetooth audio. It also targets connected watches, headphones and earphones or virtual reality headsets.
The European Commission is therefore asking Apple to give the same authorizations to third-party connected watches – such as those from Garmin, Huawei or Xiaomi – as to Apple Watches. This concerns in particular the management of notifications, the background operation of the companion application or the quick pairing nearby.
Now that the European Commission’s preliminary observations have been transmitted to Apple, the European Commission has opened a consultation phase open to third-party developers and manufacturers.
Apple reluctant to open iOS to other watches
In reaction, Apple regrets an interoperability obligation that it considers risky for the privacy of users: “ Whenever we provide developer access to these features, we are careful about how to do so to protect our users “. Apple is particularly concerned that certain companies, judged as “ hungry for data » do not use these accesses for malicious purposes.
The next stage of the European procedure will begin on January 9, the deadline for responding to the open consultation.
