3rd party widgets

[Paco II]

Agreed. In general Apple doesn't give much attention to the clock app or alarms. And what's somewhat worse, Apple does not provide a way for third party apps to have alarms go off when mute or do not disturb is enabled. Not sure why Apple doesn't just provide a solid alarm clock api and hand off the responsibility.

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.

 

[pacorob]

Only using apple shortcuts app.

Most things are done using Shortcuts.

As far as I know for the majority of tasks in Launcher widget it uses URL schemes as @Paco II also indicated earlier. Apple did change the way that for the majority of actions in a new iOS14 widget Apple changed it that it first needs to open the Launcher widget and then does the action which isn't the case with the classic iOS8-13 widgets (which Launcher also still offers as an option in NC area). Some of the things Launcher can do does indeed need the Apple Shortcuts widget since Apple limited certain features to be done by a third party app.

Why does the Launcher app open up every time I launch an app in the new style widgets?
This is the biggest limitation of the new widgets. Classic widgets were able to launch apps directly. However, every tap on the new style widgets will open the widget's app. We've filed feedback with Apple to ask for the new style widgets to have the ability to directly launch apps, but they have yet to respond. We've attempted to make the opening of the Launcher app as painless as possible and that's the best that we can do for now.
source: FAQ Launcher.

 

[Yptcn]

Has anyone tried Sticky Widgets ? Terrific little app to get a note on your home screen. Very straight forward , nothing fancy. I use it to write down a door code when going somewhere I’ll need it without having to search in Contacts.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I have noticed the Widgetsmith widget set up for photos kills my battery. Serious drain.

 

[Paco II]

Personally I'd be weary of apps that are just for making widgets, especially by developers that haven't built any previous apps. (not speaking specifically to Widgetsmith, just generally).

I have noticed the Widgetsmith widget set up for photos kills my battery. Serious drain.

 

[Cscottrun]

Did the weather channel app change its widgets? It was my favorite of the bunch but now the medium size widget looks different. A bunch of the info is gone and has been replace in half the widget by a radar.

 

[C DM]

Did the weather channel app change its widgets? It was my favorite of the bunch but now the medium size widget looks different. A bunch of the info is gone and has been replace in half the widget by a radar.

What did you use to see and what do you see now? The radar sounds like the large sized widget.

 

[pdaholic]

Did the weather channel app change its widgets? It was my favorite of the bunch but now the medium size widget looks different. A bunch of the info is gone and has been replace in half the widget by a radar.

It changes when rain is nearby. goes back to normal when clear. I don’t care for the radar view either. No way to prevent it.

 

[Cscottrun]

I'm talking about the medium size widget. When I first started using it, it had no radar built in; now it does. But if what pdaholic said is true, then I don't think I mind it so much.

 

[pacorob]

Has anyone tried Sticky Widgets ? Terrific little app to get a note on your home screen. Very straight forward , nothing fancy. I use it to write down a door code when going somewhere I’ll need it without having to search in Contacts.

Yes I did and really like it in comparison to the official Post-it one. I did ask the developer if he could add the option to have a list view that is spread out over 2 or 3 columns for the middle sized widget so I quickly have some lists at hand without having to open an app. I'm currently using Anylist for that which also has an iOS14 widget in their TestFlight but is also limited in the amount of things that are shown in the middle sized widget (only 3 left and 3 right but are clickable). I would rather see e.g. 6-8 x 2 or 3 in a widget to actually show data and still adjust it then in the app e.g. crossout/remove.

 

[bransoj]

Not sure if its been mentioned but BBC Weather have launched their iOS14 widget, its basically the smallest one you can get that shows current temp and an icon for the weather.

 

[gigapocket1]

Can’t believe theirs not a home widget!

 

[MozMan68]

Can’t believe theirs not a home widget!

I wonder if there are too many configurations to do one properly?

I'm assuming you mean a widget that would show you status of devices? And if so, wouldn't the individual product manufacturers have their own widgets to show that stuff? I know it is redundant in some cases, but for folks that have a LOT of stuff, could be an issue.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I wonder if there are too many configurations to do one properly?

I'm assuming you mean a widget that would show you status of devices? And if so, wouldn't the individual product manufacturers have their own widgets to show that stuff? I know it is redundant in some cases, but for folks that have a LOT of stuff, could be an issue.

Yeah I foresee more individual sellers having their own. Currently I have an old-style Hue widget to which I can add as many scenes as I want. Following the new API's I don't believe that level of customizability will be possible, which is more than a little sad.

 

[Canyda]

Expedia has a "next trip' widget which is just the kind of mockery I need during COVID

 

[gigapocket1]

I wonder if there are too many configurations to do one properly?

I'm assuming you mean a widget that would show you status of devices? And if so, wouldn't the individual product manufacturers have their own widgets to show that stuff? I know it is redundant in some cases, but for folks that have a LOT of stuff, could be an issue.

theirs nothing too hard for Apple. Just need the ability to control the Apple TV.. turn on porch light. Or open/close garage

 

[MozMan68]

theirs nothing too hard for Apple. Just need the ability to control the Apple TV.. turn on porch light. Or open/close garage

Well...that's my point...may work great for you with three items. Some people have way more, no?

 

[gigapocket1]

Well...that's my point...may work great for you with three items. Some people have way more, no?

Just saying. Give people the option.. could be 3-4-8.. different size widgets.. scenes. Etc. theirs nothing preventing them from having 2 separate weather widgets displaying different weather in various locations... same could be done with this.. if I want more home widgets.. set up more widgets with different “buttons”. Etc.

 

[Paco II]

I use Cheatsheet for quick notes and it's got pretty decent iOS 14 widgets.

Yes I did and really like it in comparison to the official Post-it one. I did ask the developer if he could add the option to have a list view that is spread out over 2 or 3 columns for the middle sized widget so I quickly have some lists at hand without having to open an app. I'm currently using Anylist for that which also has an iOS14 widget in their TestFlight but is also limited in the amount of things that are shown in the middle sized widget (only 3 left and 3 right but are clickable). I would rather see e.g. 6-8 x 2 or 3 in a widget to actually show data and still adjust it then in the app e.g. crossout/remove.

 

[Paco II]

We're taking about homekit? Apple likely feels they have it covered with the control center.

Just saying. Give people the option.. could be 3-4-8.. different size widgets.. scenes. Etc. theirs nothing preventing them from having 2 separate weather widgets displaying different weather in various locations... same could be done with this.. if I want more home widgets.. set up more widgets with different “buttons”. Etc.

 

[pacorob]

I use Cheatsheet for quick notes and it's got pretty decent iOS 14 widgets.

I use and like it as well for now but I hope they can add a two or maybe a three column option in the middle sized widget. Currently I can only show 6 things in a list.

 

[Angelo921]

Not sure if its been mentioned but BBC Weather have launched their iOS14 widget, its basically the smallest one you can get that shows current temp and an icon for the weather.

I do not see BBC Weather in the app store.

 

[Ansath]

I do not see BBC Weather in the app store.

 

[adrianlondon]

I do not see BBC Weather in the app store.

It's there (UK store, anyway) but note that you need to register in order to set up a list of cities. I deleted the app.

 

[Angelo921]

It's there (UK store, anyway) but note that you need to register in order to set up a list of cities. I deleted the app.

doesnt look like it’s available in the US. Thank you for responding though.