5 products that lock you into Apple and Google's ecosystems

Summary

Both Apple and Google sell products meant to discourage you from jumping over to the other company’s ecosystem.
Apple Watches and HomePods may be the most infamous examples, since they’re effectively useless without an iPhone (or an iPad, in the case of HomePods).
Products like AirPods and Pixel Buds will work if you switch platforms, but only at a reduced capacity. You’re better off with third-party earbuds if you want flexibility.

It’s no secret to most people that

Google
want to tie you into their respective product ecosystems. There are antitrust actions working to loosen their grip — for instance, making it easier to access

alternate app stores in Europe
— but it’s an uphill battle, since there’s too much for companies to gain from lock-in. If they can convince you to buy into an ecosystem instead of just an individual product, they’ll not only make a lot of money upfront, but for years to come. Customers deeply invested in a platform tend to avoid straying too far with upgrades, given the cost and hassles of switching, not to mention specific features they might lose.

In fact, both Apple and Google have products that take this to the next level, since they become crippled or useless if you take your business elsewhere. They’re not necessarily bad buys — but you should be aware of what you’re getting into. You could, potentially, end up spending thousands of dollars later if things look greener on the other side of the fence.

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1

AirPods

Deeply crippled with non-Apple devices

AirPods do make sense if you’re deeply committed to Apple’s ecosystem. They’re integrated with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, and will automatically switch between devices signed in to the same Apple Account. When paired with an iPhone or iPad, the

AirPods Pro 2
can even act as hearing aids. Many people treat AirPods as the default earbud option whenever they pick up a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

The better choice is a set of multi-platform headphones that will work just as well with your Steam Deck or Garmin watch as they will with your new iPhone.

They really shouldn’t, though. If you ever decide to pair AirPods with a device that isn’t made by Apple, you’ll not only lose Siri, quick device switching, and other special features, but even some basic control and customization options. The better choice is a set of multi-platform headphones that will work just as well with your Steam Deck or Garmin watch as they will with your new iPhone. That’s especially true if you’re into fitness — no AirPods have water resistance above IPX4. For the gym, I always recommend headphones with an

IPX7
rating or better, since I’ve had multiple sets of IPX4 earbuds short out because of sweat exposure.

A white pair of AirPods 4 in their charging case.

Apple AirPods (4th Generation)

The 4th gen AirPods might not feature support for Active Noise Cancelation, but they still pack a punch. The new H2 chip and improved acoustic architecture improve sound quality compared to the previous generation, and the USB-C charging case is highly convenient.

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2

Pixel Watches

Exclusive for no (apparent) reason

Once upon a time, Wear OS watches were officially compatible with iPhones as long as you downloaded a special Google app from the App Store. That compatibility has disappeared. So, while you don’t need a Google Pixel phone to take advantage of a

Pixel Watch 3
, you still need something running Android 10 or later, meaning the watch could become useless if you decide to switch ecosystems.

I use the soft word “could” only because, after initial setup with an Android phone, a third-party Wear OS app called Merge promises to let you receive iOS calls and notifications. That’s not full functionality, however, so I would never buy a Pixel Watch with iPhone pairing in mind. It’s just a nice fallback if you’re switching ecosystems, but not quite ready to splurge on a new smartwatch.

Google Pixel Watch 3

The Google Pixel Watch 3 builds on the previous model, introducing a new 45mm size along with the original 41mm watch. Both options feature a larger display with double the brightness. It offers plenty of runner-centric features along with more connectivity with Google’s ecosystem.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra sits in sand.

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3

Apple Watches

Full and complete lock-in

The Modular Ultra watchface on an Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Apple Watches are truly pointless without an iPhone. The workaround to using one with an Android device is not only complicated, but not worth the effort, since even basic features like notifications and SMS texting will break — never mind Apple-exclusive features like Siri, Apple Pay, or

Fitness+
. There aren’t even any Apple Health, Fitness, or Watch apps for Android. You also need a cellular-equipped Apple Watch such as an Ultra 2 or high-end Series 10, so you may be paying extra for the privilege.

The workaround to using one with an Android device is not only complicated, but not worth the effort.

Will Apple ever introduce an Android-compatible model? Possibly, but only if it’s forced to open up its ecosystem by regulators, I imagine. If you want a smartwatch you can take between iOS and Android, you’re better off shopping for brands like Coros, Garmin, and Polar.

Apple Watch Series 10

The Series 10 is Apple’s thinnest Apple Watch yet. It also features the company’s largest smartwatch screen to date, allowing the device to display more text and a bigger keyboard for typing. Battery life still comes in at the 18-hour mark, though the device can charge faster than its predecessors.

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4

Pixel Buds

The Google mirror of AirPods

Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 next to their case.

You can pair products such as the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with non-Android devices, but you’ll lose everything that makes them special, much like AirPods paired with non-Apple products. Sans Android, Pixel Buds can’t link to Google Assistant or Gemini for voice commands, can’t perform real-time translations, and don’t support Audio Switch for fast jumps between sources. They transform into basic Bluetooth earbuds without even the benefit of basic customization options.

It’s actually more nonsensical to buy Pixel Buds than AirPods, I feel. Some of the best earbuds available — like the

Sony WF-1000XM5
— are designed with Android in mind without being a waste of time elsewhere.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the first earbuds to be built on the Tensor A1 chipset. The earbuds support Google AI, paired with ANC and Silent Seal 2.0 technology for improved noise cancellation.

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5

HomePods

No dice without an iPhone or iPad

A 2nd generation Apple HomePod in white.

HomePods are somehow even more closely tied to Apple’s ecosystem than Apple Watches. You not only need an iPhone or iPad for setup, but to manage any settings more complicated than volume. Significantly, that includes adding services beyond Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and local radio stations. Even something like Pandora isn’t baked in, and due to corporate grievances, there’s no way to play Spotify on a HomePod without using

AirPlay
or a connected Apple TV.

Indeed, I’ve found that the best use for HomePods is pairing them with an

Apple TV 4K
. They make for excellent wireless TV speakers, with the added perk of enabling voice control without picking up a remote. You’d be surprised how often I ask my Minis to open YouTube or turn the TV off. Because tvOS is less restricted, you’re free to download Spotify or almost any other app you’d like.

Apple HomePod 2

If you are already part of the Apple ecosystem, this is your best option for precise, crisp sound and with Dolby Atmos expect a spacious, 3D immersive experience. It’s locked to Apple Airplay 2 technology, but has Apple’s expected sleek design, user-friendly setup and control process.