“Google on Monday responded to revelations that the latest Google Maps update is stripped of all Apple Watch support, saying it expects to return compatibility with Apple’s wearable at some point in the future,” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
Yesterday ” AppleInsider reported Google quietly removed support for Apple Watch in the latest iteration of Google Maps released last month. The app’s release notes did not convey the change to users, and Google remained mum on the subject until now,” Campbell reports. “‘We removed Apple Watch support from our latest iOS release, but expect to support it again in the future,’ a Google spokesperson told AppleInsider.”
“Amazon and eBay previously fielded titles for Apple’s wearable, but removed those assets in recent updates,” Campbell reports. “In most cases, the companies’ app revisions are weeks old and the removal of watchOS functionality went largely unnoticed. This suggests the respective watchOS app versions were not widely used.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: A lot of companies’ app components for Apple Watch were a bit off base early on. It makes sense that, after they saw how Apple Watch is used, and after watchOS 3 changed so much, they’d want to rethink or retool their apps.
There are apps that, since inception, have worked and continue to work very well, such as:
• Dark Sky: Although still a bit slow at times, it displays accurate temperature, a local precipitation/precipitation forecast down to the minute. It gives just the right amount of information for Apple Watch.
• Fox News: A firm press on Apple Watch lets you quickly share a story, save it, or choose from among many sections (Latest News, Business, Tech, Science, Health, Travel, World, Opinion, Sports, etc.) The articles are short summaries and, when you find one of interest, you pull out your iPhone and swipe up to read the whole article, see photos, videos, etc.
• BBC News: Works much the same as the Fox News app. Brief summaries, a simple firm press to choose from among Top News, My News, and Most Read, and pull out your iPhone and swipe up to read any full article of interest.
We could go on (Nike+ Run Club, Instagram/, MLB At Bat, Uber, The Calculator, etc.), besides Apple’s apps, of course (Messages is indispensable on Apple Watch, for just one example) there are a core core group of app makers that understand Apple Watch. They give you just the right amount of information, not too much and not too little, on your wrist.
SEE ALSO:
As it turns two, Apple Watch focuses on core strengths – April 24, 2017
Happy second birthday, Apple Watch! – April 24, 2017
New limited edition Apple Watch Nikelab champions neutral-toned style – April 20, 2017
Apple Watch Series 3 coming in second half 2017, sources say – April 5, 2017
The Apple Watch is still the best designed smartwatch – March 14, 2017
The Apple Watch is winning – March 2, 2017
Apple Watch had massive holiday quarter; took nearly 80% share of total smartwatch revenue – February 10, 2017
The Apple Watch ‘WOW’ moment – February 3, 2017
Apple Watch dominates with 63% of worldwide smartwatch market – February 2, 2017
Apple smashes Street; iPhone, Services, Mac and Apple Watch set all-time records – January 31, 2017
Apple Watch has blood on its hands: Pebble is dead – December 7, 2016
Apple Watch has blood on its hands: ‘Microsoft Band’ wearable is dead – October 4, 2016
Computerworld reviews Apple Watch Series 2: It’s time to jump in – September 27, 2016
Ars Technica reviews Apple Watch Series 2: ‘Great experience with very few hiccups’ – September 22, 2016
Mossberg reviews Apple’s watchOS 3: Quicker, easier, and more useful – September 21, 2016
CNET reviews Apple Watch Series 2: ‘The smooth wrist companion it was always meant to be’ – September 14, 2016
WSJ reviews Apple Watch Series 2: ‘Apple Watch finds its purpose in life’ – September 14, 2016
The Verge reviews Apple Watch Series 2: There’s something effortlessly cool about it – September 14, 2016
Apple Watch Series 2: Apple refocuses its smartwatch – September 12, 2016
Dark Sky is awesome on Apple Watch. I also wish it were a bit faster at times, but it’s otherwise perfect!
I suppose you had to praise the Faux News app to placate all the idiot Republicans that read this site. Shame on you, though. There are other actual news apps with the same functionality, such as 360News.
Hey, they said something nice about the BBC app.
It’s not like we can expect MDN to say something nice about Infoshop.org or something like that. Come on! 😉
(Then again, they probably don’t have an Apple Watch app, anyway.)
Take your time. I don’t want you Google.
“Let the joyous news be spread, Google data-mining on Apple Watch is not dead!” 🙁
People are still using Google Maps on iOS?
I hear that Apple Maps outside the US is generally less reliable/accurate than Google Maps. Probably change over time but till then Google Maps will continue to be used on iOS. Hard to make up for the synergy Google Maps has with their Waze acquisition.