Apple's introduction of Lock Screen widgets in iOS 16 has ushered in a world of instant information. With iOS 16 a user can simply wake up their device and have important information presented without added interaction. The team here at ETA are excited to share that we've built arguably the most useful and best widgets for your iOS 16 Lock Screen. With ETA's Lock Screen widgets you can view travel time to meetings and appointments or a selection of favourite locations. Tap a widget to instantly jump into turn by turn directions. We suspect that Lock Screen widgets will be as important to the iPhone as Complications are to the Apple Watch, and when it comes to widgets and Apple Watch, this is something we have a lot of experience with. 😀
If you haven't already, download ETA on the App Store now.
ETA is a veteran of the App Store, launching early 2014. Its popularity increased significantly later that year when in September Apple released iOS 8. With this release Apple bought Today View widgets to life. Today View widgets were the first time apps could have a presence outside of its app. Today, apps extend all through iOS via search, widgets, notifications, Siri and more but prior to iOS 8 to get information from an app required it to be launched. When it came to Today View, ETA was there day one with a powerful and convenient widget showing realtime travel time information.
Looking back at our iOS 8 Today View widgets
On the Apple Watch we see 'mini widgets' every time we raise our wrist. The Apple Watch watch face has complications that are essentially 'mini widgets' providing glanceable information from our favourite apps. Again ETA has a long history of creating great complications, presenting clear and succinct information about travel conditions to a users favourite locations, meetings and appointments. Our learnings on the Apple Watch have informed our thinking around what makes a great Lock Screen widget.
Our initial complications for watchOS 2. Travel time was a great feature!
Moving back to the iPhone, and of recent times Apple reimagined the Home Screen in 2020 when it launch iOS 14. This release heralded Home Screen widgets allowing users to mix apps and widgets together to create unique and personal experiences. ETA's suite of widgets proved to be popular at launch, and the subsequent releases that introduced a live tracking and calendar widget added to its success.
This brings us to September 2022 and the release of iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets. Lock Screen widgets are a great update for all iPhone users as key information is displayed at a simple tap of the screen. As mentioned, ETA is again at the forefront of the curve bringing great Lock Screen experiences. At launch we have three widgets to choose:
Single Location Widget
The Single Location widget displays travel time and the delay (if any) on route. Tap the widget and you'll immediately be taken to turn-by-turn directions in your favourite navigation app. We say immediately but actually you'll need to unlock your phone first but with Face ID this will only take a fraction of a second. 😏
Live List Widget
The Live List widget is a great option for those that need to monitor travel time to multiple destinations. A Live List widget tracks three locations but you're welcome to add a second alongside that bumps this up to a total of six locations. 🚗💨
The Live List widget showing travel time to three locations
Calendar Widget
The Calendar widget is the pick for those that want a dynamic widget that automatically updates. ETA will monitor your calendar for appointments and meetings with associated locations. If found, it'll appear in the widget with travel time and a suggested time to leave. Now you've never got an excuse to be late! 😀
The Calendar widget showing travel time and time to leave helping your arrive on time
ETA's support for iOS 16's Lock Screen widgets is now available on the App Store. Follow the link below to download or update. Happy travels!
