Google Selling New ‘rope wristlet’ for Pixel Phones
Andrew Romero reported for 9to5 Google earlier this week Google has begun selling a familiar-looking accessory for the Pixel 10 line. The company, he said, is now “getting a little more adventurous in the accessory game” by offering so-called “wrist straps” in different colors on its online store. Google announced the Pixel 10 lineup last month.
“A new entry appeared on the Google Store today as part of the company’s accessory lineup for Pixel. The new ‘Google Rope Wristlet’ is a wrist strap for ‘devices with a case,’” Romero wrote of the new wrist straps. “The strap connects with a spring ring clasp to a shim with a D-ring placed between the case and the back of the phone.”
Romero adds the $7 (!) wristlet works with any Pixel phone except the Fold. Additionally, he notes the strap “appears to work with any phone and case with a USB-C port” while also saying the strap “isn’t the first accessory to use this connection method.”
In the lede, I purposely include the phrase “familiar-looking” because Google’s wristlet is conceptually identical to that of Apple’s new iPhone crossbody strap. Moreover, it’d be journalistic malpractice not to point out Apple’s is, at $59, more than eight times more expensive the Google’s—but that’s because Apple loves its margins and, I suspect, its strap is nicer than Google’s in terms of fit and finish. Nonetheless, I think it’s fine Google “copied” Apple with its wristlet. As I wrote about Pixelsnap last month, Google’s MagSafe analogue, the wristlets have accessibility merit for Android users. To wit, Google’s model could make holding one’s Pixel phone more accessible when, for instance, trying to use it whilst holding their cane. Better still, that Google’s wristlet attaches via carabiner would seem to be a more accessible method of attachment than Apple’s. I have yet to fully test Apple’s crossbody strap, but my recollection in the hands-on area at last week’s event is the product could be inaccessible to initially attach. Granted, you only do it once in theory—but nevertheless once is one time too many when you cope with lackluster hand-eye coordination and fine-motor skills.
Whether Apple or Google, these straps show how much hardware accessibility matters.
