3rd party widgets

[roland.g]

Very few bigger name apps producing Home Screen Widgets. Most of the ones I already only work in the older Widget screen and don't have a use in Home Screen format, mostly because Apple chose to make Home Screen Widgets NOT have an interactive aspect to them, they simply launch the app, so the Widget doesn't get you anywhere.

I suppose if I really want to leverage my iPhone, I have to see if I can learn the use of the Shortcuts app better and see if that gives me some of the features I've been missing.

 

[dannyyankou]

Can we get an MLB widget before the postseason starts?

 

[camilasaunder89]

iOS 14 was an amazing update. I am totally mesmerized by the look of the apps. Also, the biggest changes is the calling function.

 

[Apple cake]

Its going to take months before we start seing decent widgets from developers

Apple has idiots running things when it comes to software. You can't make anything decent unless you build that very very decent app yourself since you can't point to another app from your widget, only to your own app. It is ridiculous and has nothing todo with battery. I'm tired of hearing this nonsense every year.

 

[pacorob]

Apple has idiots running things when it comes to software. You can't make anything decent unless you build that very very decent app yourself since you can't point to another app from your widget, only to your own app. It is ridiculous and has nothing todo with battery. I'm tired of hearing this nonsense every year.

But Launcher widget by Cromulent Labs can launch third party apps and actions via their (homescreen) widget and I also can't find it on the widget developer page that you aren't allowed to refer to another app from the widget?

Lots of useless crap widgets and no proper widget that would replace "up Next".

I can recall this recent tweet from Federico which listed some possible alternatives in the responses such as:

- Widget Wizard
- Eventually
- Various Countdown widgets as listed in the start wiki post.

 

[Apple cake]

But Launcher widget by Cromulent Labs can launch third party apps and actions via their (homescreen) widget and I also can't find it on the widget developer page that you aren't allowed to refer to another app from the widget?

Only using apple shortcuts app.

 

[Apple cake]

Not a single widget shows alarms.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Apple has idiots running things when it comes to software. You can't make anything decent unless you build that very very decent app yourself since you can't point to another app from your widget, only to your own app. It is ridiculous and has nothing todo with battery. I'm tired of hearing this nonsense every year.

Yep. They're idiots. Trillion plus dollar idiots. I'd be willing to wager that that some of your money is in their coffers, as well. So, they're idiots that you give your money to, correct? Just checking.

 

[Rafterman]

Yep. They're idiots. Trillion plus dollar idiots. I'd be willing to wager that that some of your money is in their coffers, as well. So, they're idiots that you give your money to, correct? Just checking.

They aren'y idiots, but sometimes I think they lack common sense. No widget for alarns? No widget that shows steps? (probably one of the most monitored health stats)

 

[Paco II]

If I am not mistaken, Launcher launches most apps via URL Schemes, not Apple Shortcuts.

Only using apple shortcuts app.

 

[Apple cake]

Yep. They're idiots. Trillion plus dollar idiots. I'd be willing to wager that that some of your money is in their coffers, as well. So, they're idiots that you give your money to, correct? Just checking.

Your old and beaten to death "argument" is ridiculous and has nothing to do with technical things discussed here. When you are woking on a new iOS version why would you remove "Up next" functionality or long press on FaceTime/Phone app to reach your favourites? It is ridiculous. Why wouldn't you allow me to point to another app directly from my widget? Why do I need to open shortcuts app to initiate a FaceTime call from my widget? Why isn't there a widget made by Apple to replace lost functionality? Get a clue.

 

[Apple cake]

If I am not mistaken, Launcher launches most apps via URL Schemes, not Apple Shortcuts.

Most things are done using Shortcuts.

 

[Paco II]

Can you provide support for that please? When Launcher requires Apple Shortcuts it will pass through the Shortcuts app. Also in the app it will indicate that it requires Shortcuts. It's quite noticeable. When it launches an app via URL scheme it is able to do it directly. Which it appears to do for apps it directly supports.

Most things are done using Shortcuts.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Your old and beaten to death "argument" is ridiculous and has nothing to do with technical things discussed here. When you are woking on a new iOS version why would you remove "Up next" functionality or long press on FaceTime/Phone app to reach your favourites? It is ridiculous. Why wouldn't you allow me to point to another app directly from my widget? Why do I need to open shortcuts app to initiate a FaceTime call from my widget? Why isn't there a widget made by Apple to replace lost functionality? Get a clue.

I have a clue. My post wasn't an "argument". It was fact.

My point is that you continue to feed the Apple monster that you obviously think is wrong on so many fronts. Got it.

 

[AZhappyjack]

They aren'y idiots, but sometimes I think they lack common sense. No widget for alarns? No widget that shows steps? (probably one of the most monitored health stats)

I would agree with this. Apple has made it share of missteps...

 

[Paco II]

Specific to Steps, since an API was already available, perhaps Apple simply decided to let third parties make a widget for it. Which has happened.

I would agree with this. Apple has made it share of missteps...

 

[Canyda]

Specific to Steps, since an API was already available, perhaps Apple simply decided to let third parties make a widget for it. Which has happened.

Which, if that is a deliberate strategy, is a smart one as it helps their argument that they're not an illegal monopoly

 

[redbeard331]

What on Earth happened to the mail widget?

 

[ipoddin]

They aren'y idiots, but sometimes I think they lack common sense. No widget for alarns? No widget that shows steps? (probably one of the most monitored health stats)

As for steps, a couple of third party widgets will let you view steps including Widget wizard and wwidgeridoo

I’m wondering why Apple didn’t make an alrm widget,, phone widget, iMessage widget or even a mail widget?

 

[Apple cake]

Can you provide support for that please? When Launcher requires Apple Shortcuts it will pass through the Shortcuts app. Also in the app it will indicate that it requires Shortcuts. It's quite noticeable. When it launches an app via URL scheme it is able to do it directly. Which it appears to do for apps it directly supports.

Let’s say I want a widget to call my wife on FaceTime. I have to option:

1. use launcher to open FaceTime “directly” and call specific email/phone number. The only problem you will get an extra dialogue window with call/cancel buttons. Something apple introduced in iOS 11.

2. use shortcuts app in this caseyou need to create a shortcut in shortcuts app that calls specific person then use launcher to launch shortcuts app which in turn runs that shortcut.

neiher is ideal compared to long press on FaceTime app and just calling.

 

[adrianlondon]

Why not just add a shortcurt widget (even a 2x2 one if you wish it to just do one thing) and have that FT your wife.

It's what I do.

Your wife says Hi.

 

[Paco II]

Sure, for actions you need the Shortcuts app. But your earlier post implied that Launcher uses Shortcuts for even just launching apps. That is not the case.

Let’s say I want a widget to call my wife on FaceTime. I have to option:

1. use launcher to open FaceTime “directly” and call specific email/phone number. The only problem you will get an extra dialogue window with call/cancel buttons. Something apple introduced in iOS 11.

2. use shortcuts app in this caseyou need to create a shortcut in shortcuts app that calls specific person then use launcher to launch shortcuts app which in turn runs that shortcut.

neiher is ideal compared to long press on FaceTime app and just calling.

 

[Apple cake]

Sure, for actions you need the Shortcuts app. But your earlier post implied that Launcher uses Shortcuts for even just launching apps. That is not the case.

I want to open clock with a launcher 5 how do I do that without involving shortcuts?

Please show me steps maybe I’m blind.

 

[Paco II]

If you go into Launcher and search for Clock you'll clearly see the Shortcuts icon on the right indicating that it will require the use of Shortcuts. Within the 'Directly launchable' section the majority of apps you can launch on Launcher show the Plus sign indicating you do not need to use Shortcuts because they instead use URL Schemes to directly launch the app. To support all the apps that don't have URL Schemes to allow a direct launch of the app, Launcher added Shortcuts support to fill the gap.

I want to open clock how do I do that without involving shortcuts?

Please show me steps maybe I’m blind.

 

[D-Man18360]

Not a single widget shows alarms.

You can use the Clock widget and then navigate to Alarms, but I'd like to see a completely separate widget focusing just on alarms.