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Google and Amazon killed their Apple Watch apps and it went unnoticed for weeks

Google and Amazon killed their Apple Watch apps and it went unnoticed for weeks

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Vjeran Pavic

A handful of apps are no longer supported on the Apple Watch, according to a report by Apple Insider. Major apps like Google Maps, Amazon, and eBay appear to have quietly abandoned the Apple Watch App Store, without giving a heads up or providing any explanation to users.

AI reports that Google pulled support for its Maps app on watchOS a few weeks ago, while recent updates to the Amazon and eBay apps no longer reference support for the Apple Watch. A Google spokesperson confirmed to The Verge that it had removed its watchOS app, but intends to return to the platform. “We removed Apple Watch support from our latest iOS release, but expect to support it again in the future.”

“We don’t think this is the right solution for our customers.”

Amazon echoed the sentiment. “There are a number of reasons we don’t think this is the right solution for our customers at this time,” a spokesperson told The Verge. “We are always trying new things and look forward to experimenting with wearable solutions in the future.”

Other affected apps include Target (the main one, not its coupon app Cartwheel) and TripAdvisor. A TripAdvisor thread dating back to February questioned the changes, but users said they emailed technical support and received no response. When reached for comment, TripAdvisor, too, said it pulled its watchOS app until it believes a better wearable solution comes along.

“We suspended our Apple Watch app in February 2017 as we work to develop a better experience for consumers using wearable tech,” a TripAdvisor spokesperson said. “We believe in the Apple Watch as a platform and intend to continue to explore how wearables can help travelers throughout their planning and in destination experiences.”

The lack of a direct response or explanation to users from these companies seem peculiar — AI speculates it’s likely that users were simply not using the apps which is why the change went mostly unnoticed for weeks. This would theoretically explain why developers may have thought it was best to discontinue support. After all, shopping on apps like Target, eBay, and Amazon on your wrist is probably not ideal. For Google Maps users on the Apple Watch, however, it’s back to Apple Maps for now. Maybe something will come out of watchOS 4?

We’ve reached out to the above companies for comment and will update if we hear back.

Update May 3rd, 9:22AM ET: This post has been updated to include statements from Google, TripAdvisor, and Amazon.