iOS Applications: Why are widgets important?
iOS Applications: Why are widgets important?
The recent update introduced the launch of iOS 14 tremendously impacts the widgets. Now they are smarter, faster and responsive more than ever. This because iOS 14 allows iPhone and iPad users to add custom widgets to their home screens.
How can you get the most out of these widgets? With iOS 14, both Android and iOS users can now put widgets from third-party apps on their home screens to stay updated with applicable data. iOS widgets can give users access to app content on the iOS Home Screen.
Users Need Widgets
Here are two main entities whom widgets may concern — app users and app developers. Looking at widgets from two perspectives is going to give you a complete bird’s eye approach. Let’s address the main question, who are making these widgets for?
No need to open the app
There’s no turning back on mobile phone screens getting smaller. Every year the screen size gets larger and app drawers are getting cramped. The news is this number is not going to drop so soon. Widgets let the user access the app content by not wasting the time on finding the app icon.
With the update on iOS 14, the widgets come in three sizes (small, medium and large). Users have been given a free hand to add widgets of any size in any place they fit on the home screen. Each widget size contains a different kind of information.
Resourceful & Updated Data
Widgets not only give access to your application but are also useful in flashing important information. For example, if you want to know about current affairs, there’s a widget that will update you with the appropriate headlines.
Developers set an update for the widgets that display information. If a widget is new, the operating system updates it. Generally, widgets are updated by the app associated with them after creating a widget extension in X code. Apple delivers developers with the Widget Kit framework and widget APIs. Which is explained in Apple developer documents. If you plan to create widgets for the home screen and keep them up-to-date depending upon app specifics.
A Driven Advantage
Surprisingly, widgets aren’t popular among features in an application. Yes, you heard it right. Some like them, some don’t even notice and some are true fans. Yet, there is an ongoing discussion that developers don’t show support widgets as much.
Do you think widgets are not suitable for you? We ask you to rethink. Think about the useful timely news the users of the app might like in a widget. After the release of iOS 14, the number of apps giving iOS 14 widgets is increasing like fire. This currently includes restaurants reservation, reading, scanner apps, etc.
The User Retention
User retention is important because a widget is an extra feature for your app. Prompting the users of your app’s presence. It also serves as an imperative marketing KPI. Try and find ways by which your users keep visiting the app regularly. Remember to check what kind of information you want to display on your widget.
Data Display on Widget
If a widget completely replaces an app by extension and containing extra info will not help the users. Burdening a small widget with excessive data can be confusing. While on the other side, if a widget without any show of data the user is looking out for will go in vain.
For an instance, the health app must show you today’s physical activity and an icon reviewing the day’s data like calories burned heart rate and step count, etc. It doesn’t get any simpler.
iOS widgets are still in nature. They only display data and have a limited interaction whereas, on Android, you can add buttons to a widget. It is more interactive than iOS because when you tap on a widget in iOS m it only opens up the associated app.
To wrap things up, we’ve highlighted why widgets are so important. And why the two entities work hard to develop it. If you are seeking a team who can help you develop widgets for platforms and make sure they are smooth and swift to use. Contact Team TecRev and watch out this space for more updates.
