Skip to main content

Google wants to remind you that Android Wear is just as personal as the Apple Watch

how to increase android wear battery life lg watch urbane mwc hands on 2
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Google wants to remind the world that its Android Wear software, and the watches on which it’s installed, are just as personal and customizable as the Apple Watch — perhaps even more so. Google’s now directing Android Wear owners to an updated and expanded version of its watch face corner of Google Play. It boasts there are now more than 1,000 different faces available for download, both for free and with a price tag attached.

Changing the watch face is only a small part of making a smartwatch your own, and Google is keen to point out many of the Android Wear watches use a standard 22mm watch strap, so it’s easy to change the basic one for another with more flair. Google’s only to happy to make a big deal over this, because the Apple Watch has a proprietary strap, and is currently limited to only those options provided by Apple.

Google’s gone a step beyond just saying the watch band can be changed: It has teamed up with three companies which sell straps explicitly designed for selected Android Wear smart watches. Worn and Wound sell tapered, leather straps for the LG G Watch R, the G Watch, and the Asus ZenWatch, all priced at $65. Clockwork Synergy also has a range of leather straps at a far more reasonable $25, or $12 to $15 if you’re quick, because they’re on sale. The compatible watch range is expanded to include the Moto 360 and the Samsung Gear Live, but the straps should also fit other models.

Finally, E3 Motorcycles is selling hand crafted leather NATO bands for the LG G Watch, G Watch R, Moto 360, Asus ZenWatch, and the Samsung Gear Live. Different color leather is available, and you can choose the finish for the buckle too, all for $64 up, depending on your choices.

Apple puts the Apple Watch up for preorder on April 10, with a wide selection of straps to help personalize the device available at the same time. It’s also promoting the watch’s ability to bring wearers together, with features such as sending a virtual heartbeat to loved ones. Prices start at $350, and you can read more about ordering one here.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Apple Watch X: The 9 biggest things I want to see
watchOS 10 running on an Apple Watch Ultra.

The original Apple Watch was announced in September 2014, with Apple's first smartwatch released in April 2015. Lat year, we got the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which were relatively iterative upgrades. Now, we should focus on what Apple could be doing for the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, similar to what the company did with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, which gave us the iPhone X.

Rumors suggest that this anniversary smartwatch could be called the “Apple Watch X," and we could see it later this year or, more likely, in 2025.

Read more
Google just announced Android 15. Here’s everything that’s new
The Android 15 logo on a smartphone.

Android fans, it's time to start your hype engines. Google just released the first developer preview for Android 15 — kicking off the release of the next big Android update.

This is just the first step in a months-long process of Android 15's rollout, which will see numerous developer previews and betas before the final release later this year. So, what's new, when is Android 15 officially releasing, and should you download it? Here's everything you need to know.
What's new in Android 15

Read more
You’re running out of time to buy a new Apple Watch. Here’s why
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 9.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are two of the best smartwatches you can buy in 2023. Unfortunately, you soon won't be able to buy them from Apple. On Monday, December 18, Apple confirmed it will stop sales of both Apple Watch models beginning December 21.

In a statement sent to 9to5Mac, Apple confirmed it is "pausing sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from Apple.com starting December 21, and from Apple retail locations after December 24."

Read more