Google releases Android Wear for iPhone app to allow smartwatch integration

App could prove a catalyst for smartwatch adoption

Google has released an app called Android Wear for iOS meaning that iPhones and smartwatches powered by the Android Wear operating system can be synced together.

The launch could prove a major catalyst for smartwatch adoption as iPhone users now have a far bigger choice of smartwatches that can be used with their device, rather than just an Apple Watch.

The app was launched on Monday and Google described it as the ideal way to use the benefits of an Android-powered smartwatch with an iOS-powered iPhone.

"The Android Wear app connects your iPhone to your Android Wear watch. Once connected you'll receive notifications from all your iPhone apps, right on your wrist, as well as timely information from Google Now (like traffic alerts, weather and flight status)," the App Store text states.

"You can also use the Android Wear app to configure your wearable device, including which notifications appear on your watch."

The app can be used with the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6 and 6 Plus as long as it's running iOS 8.2+ to pair with an Android Wear smartwatch.

Currently, though, only one Android Wear smartwatch, the LG Watch Urbane, works with the app, although Google said that all future Android Wear watches, such as those from Huawei, Asus and Motorola, will also support the iOS app.

It is not clear from Google's wording whether this means that existing Android Wear smartwatches can sync with the iOS app, although one review on the app's iTunes page noted that the LG G Watch R is also working with the app.

V3 contacted Google for clarification on this but had received no reply at the time of publication.

Users of the app seem quietly impressed so far, giving it an average four star rating, although this is from only 30 reviews.