Content outside the application.
WHAT A WIDGET IS
A view on the home screen, lock screen or desktop, showing information without opening the application.
HOW THEY WORK
The system asks your extension for a timeline of entries, and displays them at the appropriate times.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Widgets are not live. They show prepared content, refreshed on a budget the system controls.
WHAT TO DESIGN FOR
Content that remains useful between refreshes.
WHAT NOT TO BUILD
Anything requiring second-by-second accuracy.
WHAT REFRESH BUDGET MEANS
A limited number of updates per day, allocated by the system.
WHAT TO DO
Provide several entries in one timeline, rather than requesting frequent refreshes.
WHAT THEY CANNOT DO
Scroll, or contain arbitrary interaction.
WHAT INTERACTION IS PERMITTED
Limited controls, on recent versions, performing defined actions.
WHAT A LIVE ACTIVITY IS
A time-limited display of ongoing activity, updated from your server or application.
WHAT IT SUITS
Deliveries, journeys, matches, timers.
WHAT TO ALWAYS PROVIDE
A sensible placeholder, shown before data is available.
WHAT TO TEST
Every widget size, both appearances, and the placeholder.
