Android 15 May Bring Back Lock Screen Widgets
Android 15 May Bring Back Lock Screen Widgets may make a comeback in the upcoming major Android OS update, Android 15, as suggested by hidden features revealed in the latest Android 14 beta.
The device appears to be in an incomplete state, indicating that it is still some time away from being released to the public. According to Android Authority, users can currently locate a new Communal Places section on the lock screen, which offers the ability to include widgets.
Currently, available widgets are limited to just three apps: Google Calendar, Google Clock, and Google Apps. However, additional software is likely to be included when the widget category is updated.
Lock screen widgets on Android devices are not a new concept, as evidenced by Google’s effort in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. During that time, users had the ability to include message previews, calendar events, email inboxes, quick camera access, and a music recognition tool directly on their lock screen.
Exclusive to Pixel Tablets?
Sadly, although lock screen widgets are set to make a return in an upcoming Android update, they may not be universally available immediately. Currently, Communal Spaces seems to be exclusive to devices equipped with Hub Mode, a functionality presently restricted to Pixel tablets.
When dealing with leaked beta features, it’s important to note that the lock screen widget is not guaranteed to appear again in the near or even distant future. Google may choose to introduce this feature in a much later OS update, such as Android 16 or 17, or it may decide to abandon the idea altogether depending on its testing results.
Given that the lock screen widget has become a consistent feature in Apple products since the introduction of iOS 16 in September 2022, it appears that Google will aim to ensure that Android users don’t feel left out. Lock screen widgets becoming a standard feature on Android appears unavoidable, shifting the focus from whether to when. Patience is key as we await any announcements from Google in the coming year.
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