Google slides into Apple’s DMs with new iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets

By Scott Marlette Last updated Sep 15, 2022

If you have an iPhone that supports iOS 16 (iPhone 8 and later), then you are probably already aware of its most prominent new feature — the redesigned Lock Screen.

Besides its all-new design featuring new clock fonts and neat software tricks to make it appear more 3D, the Lock Screen now also brings more practicality in the form of widgets. Thankfully, much like the normal widgets you get once you open an iPhone, those on the Lock Screen are also open to third-party applications.

Funnily enough, one of the first to add new iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets was none other than Google itself. In the coming weeks, expect to see widgets for Google Maps, Gmail, Search, Chrome, Drive, and News.

But why is that funny? Well, Google was actually the first to introduce lock screen widgets to Android in 2012 but decided to take them out only two years later. So, ironically, the company has once again added them, only this time not to its own OS.

Google iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets

Search

With the Google Search widget, you will get quick access to all commonly used features like searching via speech and your camera, translating text, or doing some quick online shopping.

Maps

The Google Maps widgets will show you information about your frequent trips such as real-time traffic updates and estimated travel times to your home and work. Additionally, you can also configure it to show nearby places of interest like restaurants, shops, and favorite/saved places.

Gmail

The Gmail widget shows how many new emails you have at the moment, or you can choose its other look, which lets you see how many new messages you have per category — Social, Updates, Forums, etc. Probably not the best widget, though, for those of us who have a gazillion unread emails stacked up.

Drive

Google Drive iOS 16 Lock Screen widget

Nothing too special with the Google Drive app in all honesty. Nevertheless, you do get the option to quickly access a suggested Drive file or ones you have starred, directly from your lock screen.

Chrome

Google Chrome iOS 16 Lock Screen widget

The Google Chrome widget allows you to directly open the app, an incognito window, start a voice search, or play that Chrome browser game whenever your internet connection drops.

News

Google Search iOS 16 Lock Screen widget

Lastly, we have the Google News widget, which will give you real-time headlines. If one happens to catch your eye, you just tap on it and open up the whole article.

Google says that we should expect all of the above-mentioned widgets to come to iOS 16 in the “coming weeks.”

For all the latest Technology News Click Here

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! TechNewsBoy.com is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.