Apple expected to bring widgets to the iPhone

Apr 7, 2020 08:05 GMT  ·  By

The next major update for the iPhone could bring widgets to the home screen, technically providing Apple’s device with a more dynamic feel overall.

The widgets, however, would greatly enhance the experience with iOS, especially because apps like Weather can be further customized to display essential information, such as the current temperature, right on the home screen in a more detailed way than the current icon.

A concept created by Parker Ortolani and shared on Twitter a few hours ago imagines these new widgets on the iPhone and proposes multiple approaches.

First of all, Ortolani says, iOS 14 should provide users with controls that would let them choose what type of icon they want to use for an app – of course, the app itself needs to support the new modes, so developers themselves must release updates in this regard.

Three icon modes

Basically, apps would come with the current classic and static icon, but also with a new live icon and a widget mode. The live icon reminds a lot of the live tiles that were once available on Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile (and still offered on Windows 10 Mobile), with the Weather app shown here displaying the current weather for a chosen location right on the home screen.

A long press on the live tile would also make it possible to switch to other locations, but also change the icon mode.

The widget mode in iOS 14 could then switch to a full widget like the ones we already have on iPhone, only that they would now be displayed on the home screen alongside the other icons.

Given all these customization options, users would technically be allowed to further personalize their home screens, as they can combine all the aforementioned modes for a more dynamic home screen.

Of course, it’s worth reminding this is still a concept for the time being, so it remains to be seen how and if Apple wants to make it happen.

iOS 14 home screen concept

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iOS 14 home screen concept
iOS 14 home screen concept
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