The Apple Watch now has some added competition at the low end: Google has released an Android Wear app for iOS that brings Wear-based watches into the Apple ecosystem. Or vice versa.
At any rate, the app means you can now control Android Wear devices from your iPhone. Previously, smart wrist wear lived in one ecosystem or another; if you had a Moto 360 on your wrist, it meant you had an Android phone in your pocket. And conversely, owning the popular and high-margin iPhone meant you could never enjoy the bling of an LG Watch Urbane — even the $1200 gold one.
And apparently, despite Google’s statement otherwise, older Wear watches will work with the app although they are not officially supported.
If you really get hung up on this stuff, do keep in mind that there are many smartwatches that don’t play for either team or both: Samsung Gear, Pebble, Olio, Withings, Martian, Mondane…