Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#1

Post by imakesoft » Tue, May 31, 2016, 8:19 AM UTC

As a designer I'm interested of widget usage on Android. I found this (old) post where HTC claims that people don't use widgets: http://www.imore.com/htc-learns-2013-what-apple-knew-back-2007-widgets-arent-widely-used

I'm a bit confused because I know many people who use widgets on Android. So, do Android users use widgets or not? I guess widgets are mainly for techies than casual non-tech-savvy users? What do you think?

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#2

Post by tonylemesmer » Tue, May 31, 2016, 8:34 AM UTC

Nope.

I perceive them to use up battery and memory and I don't want the unnecessary distraction. Whether they actually do use battery or not is another question.

I used to use a wifi/BT/GPS toggle widget but all that is now in the notification drawer there's no need.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#3

Post by seren » Tue, May 31, 2016, 8:58 AM UTC

I use one for weather, another one for calendar. But given than Google Now prompts your for both weather information and next meetings, I should probably get rid of them.

There are not a lot of information you need to have always up to date.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#4

Post by thecupisblue » Tue, May 31, 2016, 10:10 AM UTC

Nope. Had a battery stat widget which I removed, now I have this calendar and all-in-one widgets which I basically never open, they just stand there for looks. Don't know many folks that use them.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#5

Post by reitanqild » Tue, May 31, 2016, 10:17 AM UTC

I so want to use them but I haven't found any good reason yet.

What I have used instead (but not much ) is the OneNote badge. It works kind of like Facebook "conversation bubbles", giving me a shortcut to OneNote from any app.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#6

Post by lovelearning » Tue, May 31, 2016, 11:12 AM UTC

Just two - digital clock, for the day and date; and power control, because it lets me toggle wifi and GPS with a single press unlike the settings drawer that opens settings dialog and requires more clicks. Moto on Android KitKat.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#7

Post by imakesoft » Tue, May 31, 2016, 11:27 AM UTC

Is it important that the widget looks nice?

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#8

Post by zhte415 » Tue, May 31, 2016, 1:02 PM UTC

Air Quality Index (almost everyone I know uses this, but I'm in a more polluted part of the world).

Some internal company ones giving quick KPI/dashboarding. I think this market is under-served by corporate apps in general. If a process is critical to an organisation no matter it's size, a widget can be a great tool for monitoring it.

When a real-time statistic is sufficiently important I prefer a widget to needing to load (or even develop) a dedicated app. I can then go through unified web-based (responsive) interface to take any action needed.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#9

Post by odesian » Tue, May 31, 2016, 5:01 PM UTC

I like the idea of them but from my experience widgets have been lacking. Whether that be from not updating correctly/timely to just not working at all.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use widgets on Android?

#10

Post by achow » Tue, May 31, 2016, 5:30 PM UTC

I cannot survive without the calendar widget.

My need is to have a glanceable schedule for the day - what is coming up, when and where; or how packed the day is or not. Calendar notifications don't work for me as I need information at the back of my mind. Having a widget displaying information without me seeking it out, helps my back of mind scheduler.

Now thinking about it, Widgets (atleast for my case) acts like an ambient device.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_device