Samsung still waiting on App Store approval to make Gear Fit2 Pro iPhone-compatible

Although the Gear Fit2 Pro went on sale Sept. 15, Samsung is still waiting for Apple to publish a companion iOS app before the fitness tracker can gain promised iPhone compatibility.

"We look forward to iOS support for Gear Fit2 Pro pending approval in the App Store," Samsung said in a statement seen by CNET, which is postponing a review until the app becomes available. Apple didn't reply to the site's inquiries.

Samsung has had iPhone support for Gear devices since January, dependent on custom apps not just to connect to the wearables but to change settings, download apps, and/or manage health data. None of the company's current iPhone apps support the Gear Fit2 Pro.

It's not clear whether Samsung was simply late to submit the app or there are deeper issues, such as bugs or rules violations.

Apple released the Apple Watch Series 3 on Sept. 22, just days after the Fit2 Pro, adding upgrades like LTE support. While Samsung's product is cheaper and not meant to compete directly, Apple may be benefitting to small degree from the Fit2 Pro's exclusion from iPhones.

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18 Comments

ericthehalfbee

said about 6 years ago

"It's not clear whether Samsung was simply late to submit the app or there are deeper issues, such as bugs or rules violations."

It's clearly not Apple's fault based on the fact there are other Apps already in The App Store for different Gear models. So Samsung was either late to submit, or had to make a few changes to their App because it didn't fully meet requirements.

But I'm sure people will like to spin it as Apple intentionally trying to cause trouble for Samsung, as if they run their store like a 12 year old would.

Soli

said about 6 years ago

ericthehalfbee said:

"It's not clear whether Samsung was simply late to submit the app or there are deeper issues, such as bugs or rules violations."

It's clearly not Apple's fault based on the fact there are other Apps already in The App Store for different Gear models. So Samsung was either late to submit, or had to make a few changes to their App because it didn't fully meet requirements.

But I'm sure people will like to spin it as Apple intentionally trying to cause trouble for Samsung, as if they run their store like a 12 year old would.

Even with the Samsung apps on the App Store precedence there would be no reason for anyone to think Apple is stonewalling Samsung because they're threatened by their product, the way Amazon wouldn't release an Apple TV app or sell the Apple TV through their store.

rob53

said about 6 years ago

Soli said:

ericthehalfbee said:

"It's not clear whether Samsung was simply late to submit the app or there are deeper issues, such as bugs or rules violations."

It's clearly not Apple's fault based on the fact there are other Apps already in The App Store for different Gear models. So Samsung was either late to submit, or had to make a few changes to their App because it didn't fully meet requirements.

But I'm sure people will like to spin it as Apple intentionally trying to cause trouble for Samsung, as if they run their store like a 12 year old would.

Even with the Samsung apps on the App Store precedence there would be no reason for anyone to think Apple is stonewalling Samsung because they're threatened by their product, the way Amazon wouldn't release an Apple TV app or sell the Apple TV through their store.

Actually, sarcasm noted, Apple should be able to use Amazon's product discrimination as a way to keep all Samsung apps out of the App Store.

Soli

said about 6 years ago

rob53 said:

Soli said:

ericthehalfbee said:

"It's not clear whether Samsung was simply late to submit the app or there are deeper issues, such as bugs or rules violations."

It's clearly not Apple's fault based on the fact there are other Apps already in The App Store for different Gear models. So Samsung was either late to submit, or had to make a few changes to their App because it didn't fully meet requirements.

But I'm sure people will like to spin it as Apple intentionally trying to cause trouble for Samsung, as if they run their store like a 12 year old would.

Even with the Samsung apps on the App Store precedence there would be no reason for anyone to think Apple is stonewalling Samsung because they're threatened by their product, the way Amazon wouldn't release an Apple TV app or sell the Apple TV through their store.

Actually, sarcasm noted, Apple should be able to use Amazon's product discrimination as a way to keep all Samsung apps out of the App Store.

1) To be clear, I wasn't being sarcastic in my comment. I don't see any reason for Apple to be threatened by Samsung Gear.

2) I'm not a fan of any product discrimination. Sometimes we see people point a finger at Apple for not carrying Withings after the Nokia buyout or Nest after the Google buyout, but those we taking off shelves because of retail negotiations—not because Apple wasn't against making money on someone else's product. Hell, the Withings thing happened about 8 years after Nokia was even relevant in the smartphone business.