Don't be fooled: The real battle within the smartwatch realm has nothing to do with Apple against Android. Boy, oh boy — the Internet sure does love a good smackdown. With word that Apple’s long-awaited Apple Watch is set to hit store shelves in April, the World Wide EchoTubes are filling up with all the headlines you’d expect — anything and everything related to the Apple vs. Android “smartwatch war” and which company’s wearables will “win the battle.” I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but listen closely: Smartwatches are not the same as smartphones. Aside from silly fanboy arguments and meaningless analyst ramblings, there is no direct Apple Watch vs. Android Wear rivalry. Not in any way that’s actually relevant in the real world. Think about it for a minute: With smartphones, consumers actively make a choice. Do I want an iPhone, or do I prefer one of the Android-based options? You look at the devices and/or the platforms and decide which appeals the most to you. Smartwatches — in the Android Wear and Apple Watch context, at least — don’t work that way. No one is going to walk into a store and say, “Hmm. Should I buy the Apple Watch or an Android Wear watch? Which do I like better?” Watch closely: Android Wear devices like the Moto 360 (left) won’t compete against the Apple Watch (right) The reason is simple: Both the Apple Watch and Android Wear watches are designed to work only on their respective platforms. The question isn’t which smartwatch a consumer will want to buy but rather if a consumer wants to buy a smartwatch in the first place. The Apple Watch is relevant only to those who own iPhones and are invested in the Apple ecosystem; Android Wear watches are relevant only to those committed to Android. And let’s be honest: As of now, no smartwatch is a “must-have” gadget. It’s a luxury accessory — a neat tech toy that supplements your phone and gives you a more convenient way to handle functions you already have. It can certainly be useful, but it’s by no means essential. The real “battle,” then, isn’t between the Apple Watch and Android Wear. It’s within each platform — the battle to convince consumers that they should drop their hard-earned cash on a wrist-based accessory for the phone they have. And that’s a battle each company will be fighting on its own. UPDATE [8/31/15]: Well, how about that? Related content tip A crafty new Android notification power-up This simple enhancement will make your Android notifications more useful and less annoying — with about 60 seconds of one-time setup. By JR Raphael Apr 24, 2024 7 mins Google Mobile Apps Android tip The best Android app drawer enhancement you'll ever make Free your phone's app drawer from its shackles and watch your efficiency soar. By JR Raphael Apr 18, 2024 13 mins Google Mobile Apps Android tip 5 advanced tricks for Google’s Circle to Search on Android Take your Android searching to soaring new heights with these Circle to Search secrets. By JR Raphael Apr 12, 2024 7 mins Google Search Google Android news analysis What everyone's getting wrong about Google's Chrome incognito saga Is Google collecting your deepest secrets and then selling 'em to the highest bidder? The answer probably isn't what you expect. By JR Raphael Apr 10, 2024 9 mins Chrome Data Privacy Google Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe