What you need to know
- Wear OS 6 will support third-party watch face stores like Facer, which were previously restricted on Wear OS 5.
- Facer collaborated closely with Google to ensure that watch faces will feature “instant syncing” with Pixel Watches.
- Although third-party faces must still utilize the Watch Face Format (WFF), many older animated and 3D watch faces will not sync.
- The rollout of Wear OS 6 is anticipated to begin in late summer or early fall 2025.
In a significant shift for Android smartwatches, Google is set to enhance the user experience with the introduction of Wear OS 6. This update will address previous limitations by incorporating a Watch Face Push API, allowing third-party applications to showcase their watch faces alongside Google’s native offerings. This change comes as a response to the restrictions imposed by Wear OS 5, which had barred popular watch face apps like Facer from accessing the platform.
In a recent announcement from the Wear OS team, developers were encouraged to create their own watch face marketplaces using the XML Watch Face Format (WFF). Previously, developers faced challenges in promoting their watch faces through the Play Store, often leading to obscurity. With the new API, Facer, along with TIMEFLIK, WatchMaker, Pujie, and Recreative, will be among the first to offer their watch faces on Wear OS 6 devices this fall.
Google was ‘very understanding’ of what Facer needed
Brook Eaton, Facer’s new Chief Product Officer and a former executive at Fossil, shared insights into the collaboration with Google. Despite the setbacks experienced with Wear OS 5, Eaton expressed an understanding of Google’s rationale behind the WFF transition. He noted that older animated watch faces were not optimized for display, often functioning more like persistent applications that drained battery life. This led to user complaints directed at hardware manufacturers like Fossil.
The WFF format, as it stands, utilizes cached sensor data to minimize battery consumption, aligning with user preferences for a more streamlined and efficient display. While Facer was in discussions with Google around the launch of Wear OS 5, the timing of the changes did not allow for a resolution. However, the dialogue continued, with both parties focusing on Wear OS 6 as a platform for improvement.
Eaton emphasized that Google is committed to the success of its ecosystem, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with partners to address mutual challenges. The introduction of the Watch Face Push API is a testament to this collaborative spirit, aiming to reintegrate third-party watch faces into the Wear OS experience. Facer is also advocating for enhancements to the WFF to enable more dynamic features.
How Facer will work on Wear OS 6 (and in the future)
Currently, Facer’s capabilities on Wear OS 5 are limited to linking to WFF faces available in the Play Store, which has resulted in a selective offering of only the most popular designs. As Wear OS 6 approaches, Facer is preparing to unveil thousands of high-demand watch faces, available either for free or through a premium subscription model.
Facer has carefully selected which legacy faces to adapt to the WFF standard, balancing the need for compatibility with the desire to maintain user experience. Some features may need to be sacrificed during this transition, and Eaton advises users to temper their expectations regarding the availability of all previous favorites.
Looking ahead, Facer is focused on equipping developers with the tools necessary to create WFF-compliant watch faces in anticipation of the Wear OS 6 launch. The company is also planning to introduce new features and partnerships this summer, ensuring a robust lineup upon the update’s release. While there are indications that dynamic theming may be exclusive to select watch faces, Facer remains optimistic about future integrations that could enhance user customization.
