With the release of iOS 16, Google does not intend to be outdone and will update its flagship applications to integrate widgets, which will be compatible with the new iPhone lock screen. What better way to personalize your smartphone!
It’s a fight at Apple, which launched the deployment of the long-awaited iOS 16 for its iPhones – from the iPhone 8 – on Monday, September 12. One of the key new features is the lock screen, which is finally becoming customizable. In addition to being able to change the wallpaper, users will be able to customize the font of the clock, change the color and add widgets to view certain information at a glance. Google takes the opportunity to announce in a blog post the arrival of new widgets compatible with the new iOS in the coming weeks. This innovation concerns six of its services and applications: Google Search (Internet research), Google Chrome (Web browser), Google Drive (online storage), Google Maps (mapping and guidance), Gmail (messaging) and Google News (news). For each of them, the Mountain View giant will offer several formats of widgets that will highlight information and functions.
Google widgets: modules for six major applications
Thanks to the new widgets, you can find what you are looking for very quickly. The first application to qualify is Google Search. It comes in the form of a small search field where you enter your query directly. Other formats of the widget allow you to perform a voice command, to offer a visual with Google Lens, but also to use Google Translation, Google Shopping and Google Scholar. Ditto for Google Chrome, whose various widgets allow you to quickly open a browser page, launch a voice request, open a private browsing page, and even play Dino Game – a small game normally available on the version browser computer when the internet connection goes down. As for the Drive widget, it suggests files and folders to open with a single tap, in order to resume work in progress.
Google Maps is also entitled to its little shortcut, which notably allows you to have an overview of real-time traffic and to consult the estimated travel time to saved places, such as your home or your work for example. Just tap on it to open the app and start navigating. Other widgets also make it easy to find restaurants, shops and other businesses located nearby. As for that of Gmail, it indicates the new messages arrived in the inbox – and in which category they are located. Finally, the update allows you to keep up to date with the news at all times with Google News. If a new one calls out, just tap on it to open the article. Rather practical!
