I'm having a good chuckle

[tbayrgs]

The more I think about iOS widgets, and how they implemented them, the more I think my frustration is with the requirement that they be placed in a specific order with no layout customization given to the end user. As in, if I don't want any icons on my main page but my weather on the top right, it's not do-able. It's going to default to the top left. Or if I want the weather widget in top left, google search widget in the top right, then one row of frequently used app icons just above my dock, I can't do it. If I could do that, and have my App Library be on the second page sorted how I want, I'd be much happier with iOS. Can't tell you how crazy it drives me when I see family or pet photos covered up by icons, and it's going to be even worse with widgets, ha. Those are the little things that just drive me crazy mad about iOS these days. And I know all of that is just a personal taste thing but it's something they need to consider.

Agree...the most confounding limitation of iOS, IMO. There are plenty of other problems with iOS. For example, while I don't agree with it, I kind of understand why Apple held off on allowing any default app changes (keep as many people using their own apps as possible). But I just don't understand why everything has to snap to the top and left.

 

[tbayrgs]

Lol...so the article were on AC and that means something? Should we post articles from Apple sites criticizing IOS?

Of course it means something. I've been reading AC for many, many years and listening to their podcasts for just as long and there isn't much love for anything Apple. Jerry Hildebrand will show some occasional respect for the way Apple does something (usually privacy related) but otherwise, the crew over there continuously loves to throw shade at Apple. When I saw the second headline pop up in my Google News feed, I suspected it might have been written by Jerry. The author of those articles, Are Wagoner is a 'dyed in the wool' Android fan whom I've never heard utter a kind word towards Apple on the AC podcast. If she's putting her name on these, I think that's significant, even if I don't understand all this love.

And again, I'm not throwing my hat in agreement with all of this love for iOS widgets seen everywhere. I genuinely don't get it. As is often the case with Apple, I think they're at this point heavy on form over function. They will probably get better with each iteration of iOS but right now, I don't get all the love.

I agree with everything you’ve said. Android widgets are just awful. A lot of my iOS apps have already been updated with useful, beautiful widgets. You never see such initiative from Android developers. I never used widgets when I had an Android—I use a lot of them on my iPhone. Speaks volumes, TBH.

Can't agree with all of this. The library of widgets available on Android is huge and they are far more versatile and functional vs. what's presently available in the 'new' widgets on iOS. I do appreciate the consistency in appearance and design on iOS. Even though there are so many different widgets available on Android, I still could never achieve a consistent look when I'd try to build a set of useful widgets on my Android devices. There would always be a few that offered the function I desired but looked completely different in design or vice versa.

I only really used widgets on my iPhones in the side panel because I much preferred how I could access them without having to exit out of an app entirely. I doubt I'll be adding any of these new ones to any of my home screens.

 

[drinkingtea]

I keep seeing these every time I scroll the thread, and I just want to say that I cannot imagine Craig Federighi will get much sleep at night knowing this is possible, ha.

It probably drives Apple crazy that this is possible. I can see Apple axing this Shortcuts option if it irritates them enough.

 

[Ralfi]

at iOS users falling out of their chairs now that they can add widgets, change app icons, and just generally theme their phones how they want. It makes me laugh since this has been a thing on Android since the beginning, and after hearing all of these years that they didn't need those things.

I'm not at all looking to start an Android vs Apple war, ever. I saw the MR article on the front page, and I just needed to post/say this in (what I think is) a safe space.

🤣 It's ok.

BTW, how are those high smartphone prices going now they've caught up to iPhones? 😏

(fyi, I'm not at all looking to start an Android vs Apple war, ever )

 

[kimi05]

The worst thing: widgets on iOS 14 looks bad, bloated and s*** and yet people here are like blowing their minds for such high tech while two years ago all of them were praising widgets were unnecessary, and bad implement on Android.

It's the Apple culture at it best; full of bs, excuses, and lies when new laptops are a scam, the apple watch is meh, the new ipad air is meh, and their streaming services are just trash, it makes me feel sick!!!

 

[filu_]

I don't use widgets, I haven't updated iOS to 14 yet, and I won't be discontinuing it yet.

But I'm waiting for Apple to "invent" the notification LED (they may even try to patent it as the biggest "amazing").

Yes, I know, they won't, I can buy an Apple Watch and have everything on my wrist

 

[Aneres11]

Design preferences are certainly subjective but as far a functionality of the Google widget, how are they different between the two platforms? If anything, the Google widget on iOS offers more functionality than its counterpart on Android. Tapping the search field opens Google search in both widgets. On the iOS version, you also have the added option to go directly into Google Lens or straight into Incognito mode. Google doesn’t make an Android widget equivalent for their own platform.


View attachment 957833

I also find it a bit amusing that these are two recent articles that were found on the front page of Android Central:

How to get iOS 14-style widgets on your Android phone right now

iOS 14 widgets make Android's look like an absolute embarrassment

And to be clear, I‘m not a big fan of the changes Apple has made to iOS widgets. The previous versions offered much more functionality—why not just allow those on the home pages instead of only on the left side panel? But look at how quickly widgets are being implemented by developers on iOS in just a week. If this was a new feature on Android, this level of change would take months, if not years.

It's more the aesthetic. I said I used the Google search widget several times a day. Not lens, incognito or voice. Sure, great that they are present on the iOS widget, but it's wasted space for me and doesn't look nice at all. I'd much prefer just a search bar.

My post was more about how I was excited it was an iOS widget only to be disappointed in its execution. It also is either black or white dependant on device theme, whereas I would want some level of transparency option too. All these little things that should be there IMO.

 

[Cryates]

🤣 It's ok.

BTW, how are those high smartphone prices going now they've caught up to iPhones? 😏

(fyi, I'm not at all looking to start an Android vs Apple war, ever )

I got my Note 20 Ultra for $690 after $200 off and trade, so overall I'm happy.

Ha, there was no way this wouldn't start some level of debate but I actually think most of the discussion in here has been healthy so far!

 

[The Game 161]

at iOS users falling out of their chairs now that they can add widgets, change app icons, and just generally theme their phones how they want. It makes me laugh since this has been a thing on Android since the beginning, and after hearing all of these years that they didn't need those things.

I'm not at all looking to start an Android vs Apple war, ever. I saw the MR article on the front page, and I just needed to post/say this in (what I think is) a safe space.

You know it’s funny how a year ago it was well we don’t need it...

the widgets are a work in progress though and not as good as android but hey it’s a start

 

[jamezr]

Of course it means something. I've been reading AC for many, many years and listening to their podcasts for just as long and there isn't much love for anything Apple. Jerry Hildebrand will show some occasional respect for the way Apple does something (usually privacy related) but otherwise, the crew over there continuously loves to throw shade at Apple. When I saw the second headline pop up in my Google News feed, I suspected it might have been written by Jerry. The author of those articles, Are Wagoner is a 'dyed in the wool' Android fan whom I've never heard utter a kind word towards Apple on the AC podcast. If she's putting her name on these, I think that's significant, even if I don't understand all this love.

And again, I'm not throwing my hat in agreement with all of this love for iOS widgets seen everywhere. I genuinely don't get it. As is often the case with Apple, I think they're at this point heavy on form over function. They will probably get better with each iteration of iOS but right now, I don't get all the love.

BS..it means the same as MacRumors putting the latest Samsung device on the front page on MR. I have been reading the articles here on MR for years and there isn't a whole lot of love for anything Samsung .
Mainly the articles on MR show love for all things Apple...so should we see articles on the latest Samsung devices as a ringing endorsement?

Of course it means something. I've been reading AC for many, many years and listening to their podcasts for just as long and there isn't much love for anything Apple.

Don't forget these fan sites like MacRumors and Android Central sell advertising. The more page views and postings mean big revenue for these sites. The articles that are linked and referenced by other fan sites draw traffic to these sites and it means big $$$ for the site as a whole.

I would not put it past the editors and powers that be to post articles and viewpoints that are contrary to the site and it's fanbase just to spurn controversary and generate revenue.

 

[5105973]

I’m pleased if Apple widgets don’t drain battery. I’ve had a few Android widgets do that to my phones.

There are legitimate virtues and legitimate criticisms of both platforms’ widgets. I do think we went past the days of Apple fans having disdain for widgets quite a number of years ago. I know they quietly wished for this day to arrive. Who wouldn’t want more options for customization? Especially if you can easily ignore them if you decide they’re not your cup of tea after all? Although to my never ending shock and horror I do come across an unsettling number of people on MR and other tech forums who not only take great pleasure in looking a gift horse in the mouth, but shooting it and riding off on a donkey. So, there’s no accounting for human nature I guess.

Apple’s implementation isn’t perfect, but give them time. They’ll be breaking stuff left and right with updates as they develop widget implementation further. 😜 I do think it’s fantastic to have the option of widgets on both platforms. I’m very excited about it. And I also want to throw a little shout out to Samsung for having given us long ago the additional option of app accessibility and organization on its Edge feature, that still works despite the flattening of the edges.

 

[mrochester]

Agree...the most confounding limitation of iOS, IMO. There are plenty of other problems with iOS. For example, while I don't agree with it, I kind of understand why Apple held off on allowing any default app changes (keep as many people using their own apps as possible). But I just don't understand why everything has to snap to the top and left.

Question; what benefit is there to apple whether you use their mail or browser app or not?

 

[tbayrgs]

Question; what benefit is there to apple whether you use their mail or browser app or not?

First guess—data. It may be anonymized but it still allows them to see how people are using these apps.

 

[mrochester]

First guess—data. It may be anonymized but it still allows them to see how people are using these apps.

What benefit is that to Apple? And surely Apple would have the data on how you’re using any other app too?

 

[Jason2000]

to be fair the users who said they didnt need the widgets aren't the ones excited. Its the normal/ non android vs apple war people that are enjoying the widgets. Let people enjoy what they want.

I agree. I never liked widgets whether they were on Windows, MacOS, Android and now iOS. I also think it is the younger crowd like my boys that like them the most. They are having fun with them and having never used an Android device I am not sure they even knew they existed. And really who cares if Android had them before iOS. If people are enjoying their phones more then good for them.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Been on iOS 14 since the beta and I never quite saw the need for widgets.

Cool that they're there, but I wouldn't consider them significant.

 

[tbayrgs]

What benefit is that to Apple? And surely Apple would have the data on how you’re using any other app too?

Are they allowed to snoop on how you’re using a third party app? I’m not positive but I’d wager they aren’t allowed, else we’d hear a huge outcry about it.

And data on how users actually use their apps would be immensely useful. How would they better understand how to improve their respective apps without it? How do you thing Google has built their entire company?

Let‘s think of Apple’s motivation in reverse...if there was no inherent value in Apple locking their users into their own apps as the defaults, why would they have done so for so long?

 

[BMox81]

I'm incredibly jealous of the widgets on iOS 14. They look beautiful and anyone thinking that the Android ones are cosmetically better is kidding themselves.

Everyone will lose their **** when Spotify eventually release their one while the crappy looking Android one will just remain as is.

 

[The Game 161]

I'm incredibly jealous of the widgets on iOS 14. They look beautiful and anyone thinking that the Android ones are cosmetically better is kidding themselves.

Everyone will lose their **** when Spotify eventually release their one while the crappy looking Android one will just remain as is.

Lol nobody should be jealous of ios 14 widgets.... For most part they are basically useless for most tasks... Until you can place them where you want and interact with them they are just a waste of screen space

 

[tbayrgs]

I'm incredibly jealous of the widgets on iOS 14. They look beautiful and anyone thinking that the Android ones are cosmetically better is kidding themselves.

Everyone will lose their **** when Spotify eventually release their one while the crappy looking Android one will just remain as is.

Except the Spotify app on iOS will be nothing but a direct shortcut to open the app--you won't be able to control the music from the widget itself.

I like the consistency of appearance of iOS widgets but these first versions with zero inline control are next to useless. I have to be careful not to update some apps still using the old style (today panel only) or I'm going to lose some functionality I use often every day.

 

[mrochester]

Are they allowed to snoop on how you’re using a third party app? I’m not positive but I’d wager they aren’t allowed, else we’d hear a huge outcry about it.

And data on how users actually use their apps would be immensely useful. How would they better understand how to improve their respective apps without it? How do you thing Google has built their entire company?

Let‘s think of Apple’s motivation in reverse...if there was no inherent value in Apple locking their users into their own apps as the defaults, why would they have done so for so long?

Because it wasn’t a priority to design and build a mechanism for such functionality? Apple probably thought there were more important things to fix/introduce. The same logic would contradict Apple now letting users set these defaults.

 

[StellarVixen]

I chuckle too, but at gross generalizations.


Not everyone is blown by having a weather or custom icon on their screen.

 

[serpico007]

I thought I would like widgets in iOS but not sure what I was thinking. I don’t use them on my Note 9 after that feeling wore off, so it happened again on the iPhone. I tried for a week, spent an hour customizing shortcut icons and all and today, I have a blank Home Screen. All the apps are in the App Library and any old or new widgets are back on that Today Screen on the left. I get that sick feeling everywhere I go, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit and even the TV news, reporting all this iPhone customizations. Ugh.

 

[mrochester]

I chuckle too, but at gross generalizations.


Not everyone is blown by having a weather or custom icon on their screen.

Yeah, I still don’t use widgets on iOS despite being on the public beta from about 2 months prior to release.

I also still don’t use files to micro-manage files or any number of other ’must have’ features that turned out not to be must haves.

Must have features for me are things that reduce the amount of time and effort I need to expend to get things done on my device. It also includes features that block, interrupt or hinder apps/websites from taking my data and/or tracking me under the guise of surveillance capitalism.

 

[JagRunner]

Im just using the weather and calendar widgets. I havent seen anything useful out of the others available right now.