Google's latest smartwatches have one key advantage over the Apple Watch

Owners of the iPhone 5 onwards can now use smartwatches that run Google's smartwatch operating system, Android Wear.

Before now, Android watches only worked with Android phones. But on Monday Google will release a new Android Wear app for the iPhone that will let you pair one of the many Android watches to your iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6, or 6 Plus.

Although Android Wear can't integrate as deeply with the iPhone as the Apple Watch can, it does come with one key advantage: It syncs better with Google's excellent host of services like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, and so much more. Those services are a lot better than what Apple offers with the iPhone. Apple excels at making wonderful hardware, but it has consistently disappointed when it comes to services like its rival Google offers.

iPhone users will also be able to use Google's digital assistant Google Now on Android Wear watches. Google Now shows you useful information based on your interests and daily activity, and proactively tells delivers information to you.

If you rely a lot on Google's services, you may want to consider an Android Wear watch over the Apple Watch.

The Android Wear smartwatches you'll be able to use with iPhones include the LG's Watch Urbane, and all future watches from Asus, Huawei, and Motorola. Many of the older Android Wear watches won't work with the iPhone.

It's great news for iPhone owners who like smartwatches and Google

The Apple Watch is a beautiful smartwatch, but it's only available in a rectangular design, which might not suit everyone's tastes. The LG Watch Urbane and Huawei Watch both have round designs, and the second-generation Moto 360 is also said to sport a round display. And for Android Wear fans who prefer rectangular designs, the ZenWatch2 from Asus caters to their needs.

Also, using Android Wear smartwatches will offer better integration to Google's apps and services you use on your iPhone, like Gmail, Chrome, Google Calendar, and Google Maps. For example, you'll be shown Google Maps directions if you make a voice command on an Android Wear smartwatch for map directions, which many prefer over the iPhone and Apple Watch's default Apple Maps app.

Conversely, Android fans shouldn't hold their breath for Android smartphone compatibility with the Apple Watch, as Apple rarely offers its products and services outside of its ecosystem.

Not all of Android Wear's features will be available at first

Initially, Android Wear smartwatches paired to iPhones via Bluetooth won't support Wi-Fi yet, which lets Android Wear smartwatches receive notifications when you're out of connection range from your smartphone. Smartwatches are essentially reduced to simple watches when they don't get data from your smartphone or the internet.

And while you'll be able to receive same notifications you get on your iPhone from Apple's own apps and third-party apps from the Apple App Store, you won't be able to use third-party apps from the Google Play store yet.

But Wi-Fi functionality and Play Store support are apparently in the works.