Apple announces iOS 14 with better than Android widgets and more

Apple earlier announced the iOS 14 with an improved Home Screen with intelligent widgets, App Clips, Messages, and more.

The new iOS 14

Apple announces iOS 14 with better than Android widgets and more

For the first time ever, iOS now has widgets and it looks more modern and functional that what we have on Android. The widgets provide timely information at glance and can be pinned in different sizes on any Home Screen.

Apple said that users can create a Smart Stack of widgets which uses "on-device intelligence" to make the right widget appear based on time, location, and activity.

iOS 14 has widgets customized for work, travel, sports, entertainment, and more. 

Apple's new iOS 14 also has the App Library at the end of Home Screen pages which automatically organizes all the user's apps into one easy-to-navigate view and can intelligently surface apps that may be helpful to the user. Apple said that users can choose how many Home Screen pages to display and easily hide pages for quick access to the App Library.

FaceTime, phone calls, and Siri now have Picture-in-Picture support. iPhone users can now watch a video take a FaceTime call while using another app.

Apple also introduced App Clips, a new way to discover and use apps. App Clip is a part of an app experience designed to be discovered the moment it is needed. App Clips are associated with a particular product or business which loads within seconds to complete specific tasks such as purchasing a coffee and more.

App Clip can be securely accessed by scanning a new Apple-designed App Clip code, NFC tags, QR codes, shared in Messages, and from Safari. 

Apple also updated the Messages. Users can now pin conversations to the top of their messages list and customize conversations by setting a group photo using an image or emoji.

Also, there are new Memoji options in Messages with additional hairstyles, headwear, face covers, and more.

iOS 14 now has New Guides in Maps to make it easier to navigate. It now has anew cycling directions, electric vehicle routing, and curated Guides as well.

Of course, Apple ensured that iOS 14 has Enhanced Privacy Features for More Transparency and Control. All apps will now be required to obtain user permission before tracking, App Store product pages will feature summaries of developers' self-reported privacy practices later this year, and more.

Other additional iOS 14 Features include an improved Translate, Siri, AirPods, Digital car keys, Find My, Safari, Health, Weather, and Accessibility.

Apple iOS 14 is now available to Apple Developer Program members. Next month, the public beta will be available to iOS users. iOS 14 will be available for FREE to iPhone 6s and later.

See also: The list of devices to get iOS 14 includes the 5-year-old iPhone 6s

Source: Apple