Latest news with #Facer
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
Facer is finally returning to Wear OS 5 smartwatches
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Popular custom watch face distributor Facer is embracing Google's latest Watch Face Format with hundreds of thousands of new compatible watch faces. With this revamp, Facer will regain support on smartwatches running Wear OS 5 and newer versions. Additionally, Facer is bringing new watch faces, a new social feed, and an energy consumption label for watch faces. In 2023, Google set out to improve the state of battery-hungry third-party watch faces on Wear OS. It introduced a new standard called Watch Face Format (or WFF) and started blocking legacy watch faces on Wear OS 5 — stifling third-party watch face marketplaces in the process — to ensure an effective transition. In response to these changes, Facer, the most popular provider of watch faces, is adopting WFF support and reviving compatibility for newer Wear OS devices, including the recently launched Galaxy Watch 8 series and upcoming Pixel Watch 4. WFF creates a lighter environment for the watch face to exist and operate. It essentially enables custom watch face designers to create lightweight XML-based variations without executable code. While designers can configure the visual elements, the Wear OS platform handles the rest. In essence, this saves battery and processing resources on the watch. However, WFF's downside is that it can limit visual effects, such as depth, shadows, and movement, making the watch faces appear very digital. Since Google has left no alternatives for developers, Facer's move was inevitable. With today's update, numerous watch faces in Facer's library have been revised in WFF format, with a primary focus on Wear OS 5 and 6. It says that 'hundreds of thousands' of watch faces are already available in the new store, which is a good sign. Facer Facer is also launching new watch faces to celebrate the transition. Besides watch faces by indie developers, it has official collaborations with big franchises, such as Fallout, Star Trek, and The Smurfs, etc., and is now introducing an official range of SpongeBob SquarePants faces. It will soon add more options from Borderlands 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and Masters of the Universe. In addition to adopting the newer standard, listings for Facer's watch faces will now display a 'Power Impact' score, similar to energy ratings of appliances, to inform users about a particular watch face's tendency to hog the smartwatch's battery. Along with these changes, Facer is introducing a new section, called 'Looks,' to its Android and iPhone apps. Looks is a social feed where Facer users will be able to upload pictures of their watch faces, which will be automatically linked back to the app's download page. This will roll out based on the region. The section will also link back to Facer's official watch bands for various supported smartwatches. Note that you should ensure checking for compatibility if you have just bought the Galaxy Watch 8, since it uses a redesigned lug mechanism and won't support watch bands from older models. For watch face designers, Facer also brings a simpler Creator hub to help them generate WFF faces. Finally, to entice new users who may have missed using the app on the smartwatches running Wear OS 5 or newer versions, Facer is offering an introductory annual subscription of $14.99 (which is usually $19.99 for the first year and $39.99 thereafter). While there are no promos for existing Facer Premium subscribers, the company is offering 50% off on watch bands. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Phone Arena
Facer's big update adds Wear OS 6 support and battery-smart watch faces
Receive the latest Apps news By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Do you use third party watch faces on your smartwatch? Yes. I like to have variety and more customization options. No. I like to stick with the faces the watch comes with. Yes. I like to have variety and more customization options. 0% No. I like to stick with the faces the watch comes with. 0% For designers, Facer Creator is receiving significant upgrades as well. The platform now offers improved tools for building cross-platform faces, and a refreshed creation environment for more professional results. More details on Creator updates can be found on Facer's blog. To celebrate the launch, Facer is offering its Premium plan at a discounted rate. New users can get a full year for $14.99 (normally $39.99), with additional promo codes for free faces on Google Play and 50 percent off bands. This offer runs through September 30, 2025. With this release, Facer is positioning itself as more than just a watch face app. It is building a complete customization ecosystem for smartwatches, now better optimized for Google's evolving Wear OS platform. To add to the visual appeal, Facer is expanding its catalog with new faces featuring SpongeBob SquarePants. These join a growing list of licensed collections including Fallout, Star Trek, Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Call of Duty. Upcoming releases will tie in with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Borderlands update also introduces "Looks," a social feature that lets users showcase and explore complete watch setups, including face-and-band combos. This is rolling out gradually across platforms and regions. Alongside this, Facer now offers a curated store of premium watch bands, many of which appear directly in shared Looks. Premium subscribers get discounts on both faces and bands.
Android Authority
21-05-2025
- Android Authority
Wear OS 5 killed Facer watchfaces, but Wear OS 6 will bring them back to life
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Facer announced it will be returning to Wear OS devices this fall. Wear OS 6 will support compatibility with the app's custom watch faces in Watch Face Format. The updated Facer experience will include more than 500,000 faces, instant syncing, and a versatile pricing structure. In the wake of Google I/O 2025, long-running watch face customization platform Facer has announced a major update. With a revamped app, Facer watch faces will make a full return to Wear OS smartwatches. Alongside Wear OS 6, the app's update aims to resolve compatibility issues introduced by Google's Watch Face Format transition in 2024. When Google launched Wear OS 5 and made Watch Face Format mandatory, it left users without access to long-favored custom watch face apps like Facer, WatchMaker, and many more. As of today, users can expect the return of at least one of these apps: Wear OS 6 will offer expanded support for third-party watch faces, including a full Facer experience. The loaded custom watch face platform promises more than 500,000 watch faces, with the most popular options ready by this fall. Thanks to Google's new Watch Face Push feature, the platform will also offer instant syncing via the Facer app, eliminating the need for users to download separate apps from the Play Store. Meanwhile, Facer will also offer simplified pricing for its customizable designs. Watch faces will be available for free, through one-time purchases, or via a full-access subscription. According to Google, Wear OS 6 will roll out this fall, and Facer says it will share more details as the launch approaches. In addition, the company teased upcoming features, new brand partnerships, and launch promotions. Users can sign up for updates at Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
20-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Facer is making a big comeback with Wear OS 6. Here's what's changing.
Facer is getting ready for a big return. The popular watch face platform just announced a major update that will roll out later this year, timed with the launch of Wear OS 6. As we recently covered, Google is bringing new tools and performance upgrades to smartwatches with Wear OS 6. Facer plans to take full advantage of these changes to bring back fan-favorite features and introduce a smoother, more powerful experience. Facer for Wear OS 6 announcement. | Image credit — Facer Here's a quick look at what to expect once the update goes live: A massive catalog of watch faces: Facer says thousands of faces will be ready for Wear OS 6, using Google's new Watch Face Format. The goal is to bring back nearly all the most popular designs by this fall. Right now, the platform includes over 500,000 watch faces from top brands and independent creators. Facer says thousands of faces will be ready for Wear OS 6, using Google's new Watch Face Format. The goal is to bring back nearly all the most popular designs by this fall. Right now, the platform includes over 500,000 watch faces from top brands and independent creators. Flexible pricing options: Whether you like trying out free faces, buying a few premium ones, or going for a full subscription, Facer will support it. Everything will be built into the Facer app, so you won't need to install separate apps for each face. Whether you like trying out free faces, buying a few premium ones, or going for a full subscription, Facer will support it. Everything will be built into the Facer app, so you won't need to install separate apps for each face. Instant syncing: Wear OS 6 adds a new feature called Watch Face Push, which lets you send faces straight to your watch from the Facer app. No more opening the Play Store or downloading extras. Wear OS 6 adds a new feature called Watch Face Push, which lets you send faces straight to your watch from the Facer app. No more opening the Play Store or downloading extras. Even more to come: Facer says new features, brand partnerships, and special discounts are on the way. You can sign up at to stay in the loop. Wear OS 6 is expected to roll out later this year. It will be available on new smartwatches and some older models that get the upgrade. Facer will share more updates once watch brands confirm their release plans. With big updates coming from both Google and Facer, smartwatch users can look forward to a much better experience in 2025.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Northampton Town Whamageddon stadium DJ hangs up headphones
A football stadium DJ who gained international fame for knocking more than 7,000 people out of cult game Whamageddon is hanging up his headphones after eight try to avoid Wham!'s 1984 hit Last Christmas for as long as possible before Christmas Eve and are eliminated once they hear Facer, DJ at Northampton Town, was criticised for playing it at the home game against Portsmouth on 2 December in what happened, he joked: "I get contacted by some people at BBC News, it goes a bit crazy on there, and then, before I know it, I'm a question on Have I Got News For You?" Whamageddon started about 10 years ago, and has grown in a popularity through social now has set rules, a dedicated website, and Facer, known as DJ Matty, played the song during half-time in the League One clash at Sixfields, attended by 7,215 the incident he appeared on BBC Radio Northampton to "officially apologise to everybody whose Christmas I've ruined".The story initially appeared on the BBC News website, and then other said: "I've got [ITV's] This Morning mentioning it, I'm getting a phone call from the Washington Post to do an interview, it's in the New York Times, the Rolling Stone magazine, the NME."It's just crazy, but it's all good fun." 'An absolute privilege' Mr Facer's last game will be Northampton Town final League One match of the season against Wigan on said work commitments meant he could no longer take up the role."It's been great fun, a real honour," he DJ, who had played in pubs and clubs, started on 26 august 2017 after a conversation with the chairman Kelvin Thomas."I remember how honoured and excited I was to get the opportunity," he said.A lifelong Northampton Town fan, he said: "All of a sudden, there I am playing music in front of thousands people, it's an absolute privilege."Everyone [at the club] has been fantastic."From the outside looking in, everybody can see what a great club it is, but I can say from experiencing it, their matchday team and everyone from [chairman] Kelvin [Thomas] downwards, it is a real family." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
