Google’s new watchbands let you change your Android Wear’s look in a snap

Google has made it easier to customize the physical appearance of your Android Wear device. The company today introduced its Mode watchbands that may seem like ordinary bands, but the selling point is the ability to quickly replace them with just a snap. The company worked with b&nd by Hadley-Roma to develop the new bands. To start, they’ll be available in silicone and leather, 4 sizes, and 16 colors.

Available for $49.99 for the silicone and $59.99 for leather, Google Mode is intended to give you the flexibility of having a watch that matches the look you’re going for. With traditional watches, people may have different ones to suit the occasion, such as for work, casual play, or formal settings. But with your smartwatch synced with your phone, having to not only buy multiple devices but also updating them each time can be tedious. So why not just modify the watch face and snap on a new band?

Above: How Google Mode’s snap and swap watchbands work

Image Credit: Google

Google’s so-called snap-and-go technology makes it easy for you to replace bands just by pulling a tab on each strap and affixing it to the watch itself. Each watchband package comes with a band removal tool and installation pins if you need it.

Each watchband comes in sizes 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, or 22mm, no matter whether you choose leather or silicone material. However, the color types will differ depending on the material. Black, brown, tan, ruby, indigo, gray, green, white, silver, and gold are available for leather bands, while black, white, gray, red, mint, and yellow are available for silicone.

Google Mode has also been open sourced, meaning that designers can use the company’s specs to create their own watchband.

You can purchase a Google Mode watchband from the Google Play Store (in the U.S.), on Amazon, or at Best Buy.