iOS 14 Could Offer Home Screen Widgets, Wallpaper Customizations

[MacRumors]

iOS 14 could offer home screen widgets and wallpaper customizations for the first time, according to 9to5Mac and Twitter user DongleBookPro.

Apple is reportedly working to implement widgets that can be moved freely around like icons on the iPhone and iPad homescreen for the very first time. The feature is reportedly codenamed "Avocado" and no other details are available. It was also mentioned that Apple is still working on implementing the feature and it may be scrapped.

In addition to home screen widgets, Twitter user DongleBookPro shared allegedly leaked screenshots of new wallpaper settings and customization options coming in iOS 14. The leaked screenshots reveal a new "Collections" menu that users can populate with their own photos. The new "iOS 13" column hints that Apple will not be removing wallpapers first introduced in iOS 13. It also appears Apple will be grouping similar wallpapers together in a more pleasant arrangement, as users will now be able to scroll left to right instead of top to bottom.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1246505405229883392

The screenshot also mentions new "Home Screen Appearance" options which will allow users to alter the appearance of their current wallpaper. It appears users will now be able to select dark, dim, blurred, and normal versions of a wallpaper.

Apple is expected to announce iOS 14 at its WWDC 2020 event this June which will be held online.

Article Link: iOS 14 Could Offer Home Screen Widgets, Wallpaper Customizations

 

[alpi123]

Actual iOS 14 screenshots! Holy...

 

[4jasontv]

I'd like more than two shortcuts on my lock screen.

 

[alphaswift]

If we could get Live Tiles like we had on Windows 10 Mobile (or the Win10 Start screen) I would be very, very happy.

 

[AE_stc]

Widgets on home screen and moving wallpaper
> android

scroll left to right
> windows phone

I personally am looking forward to transporting back to 2010 lol

jokes aside it’s always nice to have options to mess with your phone design

 

[Seanm87]

About time

 

[jafd]

Almost like that feature Android had since forever?

 

[jonnysods]

There are some things in Android that I'd love to see in iOS, don't even care that Apple copy them. One would be widgets, the other would be the rich notifications - seems like in Android they can do much more - graphs, dynamic info, I had a Nexus 4 for a while and I was very impressed.

 

[nfl46]

Almost like that feature Android had since forever?

Sigh. And your point? The more Apple gives us “features Android had since forever,” the less reason to own an Android device. At this point, Android users are running out of reasons to not own an iPhone. Every year that list gets smaller & smaller.

 

[maj71303]

2020 and Apple still trying to figure out customization of the home and lock screen. I decided to jump ship here in 2020 and feel much better about it.

 

[meme1255]

And will the Personal Hotspot actually work in this version? 🤭

 

[4jasontv]

If we could get Live Tiles like we had on Windows 10 Mobile (or the Win10 Start screen) I would be very, very happy.

What did you like about live tiles? I had a windows phone, and I felt like I was always overwhelmed by the changing screen. I'd be looking for an icon and it would be giving me a status update and I would miss the app. And the photos app always seemed to be showing me the most inappropriate photo for that moment.

There are some things in Android that I'd love to see in iOS, don't even care that Apple copy them. One would be widgets, the other would be the rich notifications - seems like in Android they can do much more - graphs, dynamic info, I had a Nexus 4 for a while and I was very impressed.

What do widgets do for you personally? I always felt like they either duplicated function in the window shade thing or they acted like regular apps that were not full screen and couldn't be viewed when other apps were running.

2020 and Apple still trying to figure out customization of the home and lock screen.

I agree the lock screen should be improved, mostly because I want access to my camera, flashlight and homekit when the device is locked. But what else do you need to do with your phone when you don't want to use your phone? Also, how would you improve the home screen? I've yet to see a widget of any value, and I already hate busy images as my background... so moving backgrounds would be immediately turned off.


Before people get upset, I understand you want choice and the ability to customize, but do you really want that if it degrades your efficiency? How much productivity are you willing to give up in exchange for feeling like you have more control over your phones look?

 

[edgonzalez32]

Sigh. And your point? The more Apple gives us “features Android had since forever,” the less reason to own an Android device. At this point, Android users are running out of reasons to not own an iPhone. Every year that list gets smaller & smaller.

Android users are most definitely not running out of reasons to own an iPhone.

 

[now i see it]

If these simple things are billed as main features in iOS 14- that's pretty funny

 

[Skeith]

As much as everyone saying all these are just copying from Android/Windows Vista (live widgets).

I like to believe there will be an Apple spin on it.

Probably a worse version. lol

 

[mistasopz]

Gotta add those features that Android has had since 2008....

 

[DNichter]

I’ll welcome home screen widgets if they are done right, which I am sure Apple would do. Seems like a good compromise for the home screen moving forward. I personally feel that the whole top two rows of apps should actually be replaced by a live widget that you can swipe between multiple, potentially having two small or one wide, similar to live tiles. I don’t need them to be placed anywhere, but I suppose it’s better to have options.

 

[mejsric]

Android users are most definitely not running out of reasons to own an iPhone.

nah, Android users always wanted to have an iPhone.

 

[DNichter]

Gotta add those features that Android has had since 2008....

It’s a nice to have more than a need to have. There are too many advantages to iOS, widgets on the home screen opposed to just to the left really isn’t all that much different.

 

[sterlingindigo]

Donglebookpro lol nice find!

 

[nfl46]

Android users are most definitely not running out of reasons to own an iPhone.

Yeah, right.

Two of the biggest complaints I see from Android users as to why they haven’t switched to iOS is because of 1) cannot set default apps 2) customization

There’s a whole thread in the Alternative section about this.

 

[cmaier]

If these simple things are billed as main features in iOS 14- that's pretty funny

Nobody billed these as “main features.”

 

[GregJohn]

Well considering based on what they have said my expectations for new looks/features for iOS 14 is below 0 since they basically just want to fix things. So if any of this is true great!

 

[decisions]

Hopefully we can finally get dynamic wallpapers as opposed to just "dim" and "blurred' versions of them.

 

[maj71303]

What did you like about live tiles? I had a windows phone, and I felt like I was always overwhelmed by the changing screen. I'd be looking for an icon and it would be giving me a status update and I would miss the app. And the photos app always seemed to be showing me the most inappropriate photo for that moment.



What do widgets do for you personally? I always felt like they either duplicated function in the window shade thing or they acted like regular apps that were not full screen and couldn't be viewed when other apps were running.



I agree the lock screen should be improved, mostly because I want access to my camera, flashlight and homekit when the device is locked. But what else do you need to do with your phone when you don't want to use your phone? Also, how would you improve the home screen? I've yet to see a widget of any value, and I already hate busy images as my background... so moving backgrounds would be immediately turned off.


Before people get upset, I understand you want choice and the ability to customize, but do you really want that if it degrades your efficiency? How much productivity are you willing to give up in exchange for feeling like you have more control over your phones look?

IMO iOS as designed needs a major overhaul. They have been sitting there with those static icons for a while now. They need an app tray to remove them off the screens and to get their widget game up a great deal. They also need to get their theme game going. Dynamic backgrounds is a user choice, but at least give them that choice. Efficiency is up to the user on what choices they make on how to customize their device. Give users the choice and let them figure it out.

Depending on the widgets i might not have to open the app it's associated with to get the information i need at the time. That is efficiency in not having to always open up an app to get something done or get information.