All articles tagged with #widgets
Google announced Wear OS 7 with up to 10% longer battery life for upgrades and new features including Gemini Intelligence, Wear OS widgets (replacing tiles), Live Updates, Enhanced System Media Controls (per-app auto-launch and audio routing), and Watch Face Format 5; a Wear OS 7 Canary emulator is available for developers ahead of a full release later this year.
Googlebook adds a true ChromeOS desktop with app icons, folders, and drag‑and‑drop Android apps, plus Gemini‑powered, Create My Widget widgets for personalized dashboards, delivering a more capable, bridge between mobile and desktop workflows while keeping a minimalist option.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple’s iPhone Camera app is getting a major revamp for professional users, adding a widgets-based ecosystem that surfaces advanced controls (exposure, depth of field) in an Add Widgets tray, moving the Controls button, and introducing a new Siri mode for tasks like translation and object identification; these features are expected to arrive with iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, though Apple hasn’t confirmed them.
Google’s I/O showcase brings a full-bleed Android Auto UI that adapts to curved and irregular car screens, enables YouTube video streaming in parked mode (4K60 with spatial audio) from the phone, adds Material You Expressive styling, and introduces widget support with Gemini. New AI features include Magic Cue and Gemini acting as a go-between for apps (like Starbucks or DoorDash), plus Maps’ Immersive Navigation for richer in-car visuals, signaling closer integration between phone projections and embedded car systems. HVAC and some car controls still aren’t controllable from Android Auto yet.
Google outlines a Gemini Intelligence–driven Android overhaul for 2026, centered on AI-powered app automation in select apps (food/grocery, ride-hailing), Auto Browse for multi-step web tasks, and AI Autofill, plus Gemini-generated widgets and Rambler voice input. Android Auto gets a redesign with Immersive Navigation, widgets, and broader display support, including video-to-audio transitions in supported cars. Android 17 brings camera improvements, Ultra HDR, stabilization, and Night Mode in Instagram Edits, along with stronger lost-device security, a new location-permission model, and a Pause Point feature. Most changes roll out via Play Services and partnerships rather than a full Android 17 release at once.
Microsoft will hide the MSN News feed in Windows 11 Widgets by default and make the widgets experience quieter by default: hover-to-open will be disabled, the panel will open to widgets instead of MSN, and taskbar alerts will be limited until you engage with Widgets, as part of ongoing Windows 11 improvements rolling out in 2026.
Microsoft is overhauling Windows 11 to feel faster with targeted performance and memory-management tweaks, a quicker File Explorer, and a calmer Widgets experience separated from the Discover feed; the updates will roll out through the Windows Insider program, signaling a shift toward a leaner, more productive Windows 11.
Microsoft is removing “unnecessary” Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps like Notepad and Snipping Tool (with similar changes planned for Photos and Widgets), replacing Copilot with a writing-tools menu in Notepad, while the AI features themselves remain available as part of a broader Windows 11 fix.
With roughly 92% of votes counted, state Rep. Margaret Croke leads state Sen. Karina Villa 34.6% to 32.2% in the Illinois Democratic primary for comptroller, while Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim is third at 24% and about 88,000 Chicago mail ballots remain outstanding; results remain too close to call as remaining ballots could shift the outcome, and the winner will face Republican Bryan Drew in November.
Meta Ray-Ban Display’s first major OS update adds a widgets space, a dedicated Calendar app, an Instagram Reels feed upgrade, live captions for calls, and two EMG-controlled minigames (GOAT and 2048), plus a Spotify-powered Soundtrack feature and expanded calendar integration with Google/Outlook, broadening the glasses’ functionality and interactivity.
Microsoft released the Windows 11 optional non-security feature update KB5077241, delivering several quality-of-life enhancements: faster and more reliable wake from sleep, visual and performance tweaks to the sign-in screen, Settings, and Taskbar; a new top-line indicator for Windows Search results; a built-in network speed test accessible from the taskbar; Camera pan/tilt controls in Settings; plus additions like Sysmon integration and a redesigned Widgets panel. The update is optional and will roll out to others with next Patch Tuesday unless installed sooner, and there are no known issues reported yet.
Windows Central previews multiple Windows 11 updates planned for 2026, including Copilot-powered Taskbar search, a modern Run dialog, an Outlook-linked Agenda view on the Taskbar, a full-screen Xbox mode for PCs, and a redesigned Copilot-powered Widgets board with Copilot Discover. Additional AI-driven features include Copilot Actions (agentic Windows), DreamScenes video wallpaper support, and a possible Copilot Chat in File Explorer. Microsoft is also expected to launch two 2026 releases: 26H1 for Snapdragon X2 PCs and 26H2 for all users, with opt-in/disable options via Settings.
iOS 26.2 introduces extensive customization features for lock and home screens, including the liquid glass effect, advanced widget integration, high-quality wallpapers, and accessibility enhancements, allowing users to create highly personalized and visually appealing interfaces.
The article discusses seven features from other smartphones, such as better volume control, Photographic Styles, widget stacks, live media controls, automation, pop-up apps, and gesture controls, that the author wishes Google would incorporate into future Pixel phones to enhance user experience.
The article highlights five essential Apple CarPlay widgets introduced with iOS 26 that enhance the driving experience by providing useful information like calendars, weather, smart home controls, world clocks, and song lyrics, all accessible from the vehicle's infotainment screen.