Google launches a set of iOS 16 lock screen widgets for iPhone

Google announced today that it will bring some popular apps to the iPhone's lock screen, including Search, Maps, Gmail, and more. With the release of iOS 16, an updated version of Apple's mobile operating system, iPhone users can now customize their devices by adding widgets to the lock screen, rather than just the home screen as before.

Google's gadgets will take advantage of all three formats: circular and rectangular, which appear below the clock on the lock screen, and inline, which appears as a row of text and symbols above the clock.

The company previewed its iOS 16 widgets in a blog post, which include a search widget that lets you start a Google search from the lock screen, even using your voice or camera (Google Lens). The widget will also offer a Google Translate widget.

Likewise, a new Chrome lock screen widget will allow users to start searches, including voice searches, but will also offer a button to quickly launch an incognito search. It includes a widget that brings Chrome's dinosaur game (which normally appears when Chrome is offline) as a lock screen option as well. (While we love dinosaur games, we can't imagine giving up our limited lock screen space for this one - but to each his own!)

Meanwhile, a new Google Drive lock screen widget will allow suggested Drive files or Starred files and folders to be opened with a tap, which could be useful for business-focused lock screens.

And the Gmail widget will help you keep an eye on your inbox. Available in three sizes, the inline widget appears above the clock, showing a shortened date (like "Wednesday 7") and then the number of new messages in your inbox. A rectangular widget breaks down the number of new messages in each category -- like social, updates, or promotions -- which helps users get a better idea of ​​whether incoming messages are actually important. A smaller circular widget simply shows how many new messages you have.

Another app, Google Maps, has also added lock screen widgets after the release of iOS 16. These widgets are useful for travelers and commuters as they will provide real-time traffic updates and estimated travel time to places like your office or home address. Additional widgets will also let you tap to find restaurants, shops, coffee, or hotels along your route.

Finally, the Google News widget brings brief headlines to the lock screen, and tapping it launches the Google News app.

Previously, Google first introduced home screen widgets when it launched iOS 14 in 2020, and then brought interactive elements of many of the same apps - including Gmail, Drive, Chrome, etc. - to users' home screens. But one widget it provided on the home screen is missing in this new lock screen widget series.

And Google Calendar seems like a strange oversight, since meetings and events are the kinds of information many people want quick access to, like the lock screen provides. Hopefully, the rollout of this gadget has only been delayed, but it’s still on its way.

The company didn't provide an exact time frame for when the new lock screen widgets will be available, saying only that they will be rolling out in the coming weeks.