While Apple originally planned to offer Android compatibility for its Apple Watch, it ultimately dropped the project, as the company feared support for Android would negatively affect iPhone sales. This news comes courtesy of a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
“The move, codenamed ‘Project Fennel,’ would have brought the company’s health features — and the health benefits Apple has repeatedly underlined — to many more people, especially in countries where Apple has little market share,” says Gurman.
Gurman says Apple canceled the project, even though it was close to completion, due to the positive “halo effect” the Apple Watch has on sales of the iPhone, as the duo are closely connected in the minds of consumers. When customers have a pleasant experience with a product, company, or service, it often leads to customers purchasing additional products from the company.
The iPhone itself was responsible for a halo effect when it was released in 2007. Customers had positive experiences with the OG iPhone, leading to their purchase of other Apple products.
16 years after the original iPhone’s debut, the iPhone is Apple’s top-selling hardware platform, while the Apple Watch dominates the smartphone market, accounting for $41.1 billion in revenue in 2022.