CONNECT WITH US

Digitimes Research: Adoption of Wi-Fi by Apple Watch, Android Wear to encourage other vendors to follow suit

Danny Kuo, DIGITIMES Research, Taipei

The adoption of Wi-Fi technology by Apple Watch and Android Wear devices are expected to motivate other smartwatch and wearable device vendors to follow suit, according to Digitimes Research.

While Apple's adoption of Wi-Fi for Apple Watch was influenced by a number of factors, the use of Wi-Fi will enhance the convenience of Apple Watch and allow the smart device to work independently in case there are no backups from any smartphone.

Google has also decided to use Wi-Fi technology in Android Wear devices reflecting the feedbacks from production partners and end-market users over the past year, Digitimes Research noted.

Previously, most smartwatches were incorporated with Bluetooth technology, serving as a connection between smartwatches and smartphones, without the need for long-distance or high-speed transmission.

The support by Apple and Google over the use of Wi-Fi technology in wearable devices will encourage other vendors to also adopt the technology, making Wi-Fi a standard for smartwatches, Digitimes Research commented.