This year, smartwatches are all about fashion and design riffs. Snap on a new band, try on a new watch face.
Some timepieces that utilize Android Wear, Google's smartwatch platform, already offer swappable bands. But now Google has launched its own line of bands, called "MODE."
The first wave of bands can be ordered now, from $50 to $60 (around AU$65 to AU$80 or £35 to £40, converted) for silicone or leather variations.
What makes MODE interesting is that they're pretty easy to attach and detach. I got to to look at a green leather and bright orange silicone band along with a Huawei Watch.
The bands attach easily thanks to a simple snap-lock switch on the back that opens and closes the clasp. They're less hassle than most other smartwatch bands I've tried.
The ones I received in 18mm by Hadley Roma say they only work with the smaller-size Asus Zenwatch 2 and Huawei Watch. Right now there are leather and silicone bands in four sizes and 16 colors, but MODE is being created as a brand and design open to any accessory makers, provided they source the MODE mechanism from "authorized vendors."
You can order your own bands here starting today. The color options are great, but finding how each one looks with particular Android Wear watches might not always be an easy process.