The smartwatch app ecosystem is currently in an uncertain stage.
Not exact matches
That would make a lot of sense, given that Google's Android
ecosystem has lots of
apps, which Fitbit's
smartwatches lack, while Fitbit has some nifty hardware designs, which Google lacks.
Carolina Milanesi, an analyst with Creative Strategies, says that for her the «smartness» of a
smartwatch isn't necessarily reliant on the
apps ecosystem.
With Android Wear all but frozen in a purgatory of mediocrity, Samsung Gear lacking a strong
app ecosystem and the Apple Watch only compatible with iPhones, there still exists a gap for a fourth player to fill with an excellent
smartwatch.
With the ZenWatch 2 featuring Android Wear, you already have a pretty big
ecosystem of
apps that are compatible with this
smartwatch.
Smartwatches with an
app ecosystem, such as watchOS and Google's Android Wear, will continue to make gains.
Our Fitbit Ionic review reveals a wearable that blends the impressive fitness tracking
ecosystem of its two - year - old Blaze with a host of modern
smartwatch capabilities such as a dedicated
app store and NFC tap - to - pay transactions, along with Bluetooth and WiFi compatibility.
Bottom Line: The Fitbit Ionic is an ambitious and promising
smartwatch with a focus on fitness and accurate tracking, but its success will depend on the growth of its
app ecosystem.
That said, the Journal's report expresses some skepticism that Samsung will be able to create as robust an
app ecosystem for Tizen
smartwatches as Google will create for Android Wear
smartwatches.
We do wonder how well it will scale up around an
app ecosystem, but for now it's a
smartwatch that doesn't try to be more than it is.
Over the past few years, the
smartwatch category has shown major adoption from users as well as developers with thousands of really cool
apps available on the
app stores of both the
ecosystems.
The Apple Watch 3 is considered to be the best
smartwatch on the market and certainly doesn't disappoint if you're already plugged into the Apple
ecosystem, with decent battery life, best - in - class fitness tracking and an
app that's as intuitive and easy - to - use as you'd expect from Apple.