As we saw over the past year, not all apps are suited to widgets.
Sometimes, they add more confusion than convenience.
But when they fit, theyfit, and podcasts apps are just perfect.
Apple
Podcasts and Music
Widgets are best when theyre simple.
And then, if you want to listen, you just tap it.
The app launches, and the selected episode starts to play.
Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel
And thats exactly what you need.
No more, and no less.
The beauty of the podcast app widget is the apps purpose perfectly fits the widgets capabilities.
Apple
Lets use an example.
Or I could skip and play using AirPods.
Castro also has several Shortcuts actions, so I can automate it even more if I like.
All without ever needing to kick off the app, itself.
Calendars and to-do lists are good examples.
Weather apps are also excellent, especially those likeHello WeatherandCarrot Weather, which offer extensive widget customization.
Sometimes, you dont even need a widget.
The configs app offers a short list shortcuts to options within the configs.
Citymapper offers shortcuts to get you home, or find a nearby transit stop, and so on.
Try long pressing some of your apps.
You might be surprised.
But it’s not all good news.
iPad widgets are great, but there are still some weird restrictions on how you could arrange them.
Still, were getting there.
