Lock screen widgets, a feature from Android’s past, could be poised for acomeback with the upcoming Android 14 release. Mishaal Rahman, former ChiefEditor at XDA Developers, made an intriguing discovery while exploring thelatest Android 14 beta build.
Within this beta build, a new SystemUI flag called “widget_on_keyguard”emerged, strongly suggesting that Google is actively working onreintroducing lock screen widgets. However, it’s crucial to note that thisrevelation was uncovered in the Android 14 beta build tailored for Pixeldevices, leaving open the possibility that this feature might remainexclusive to Pixel smartphones.
While the concrete evidence remains somewhat limited, this move by Googleappears to be in response to a trend set by Apple, which introduced widgetsto the iOS lock screen just the previous year. It seems plausible thatGoogle is aiming to offer a similar functionality to Android users,aligning with the industry’s evolving standards and user expectations.
In addition to the potential return of lock screen widgets, the latest betabuild of Android 14 brings forth the option to customize shortcuts on thelock screen, specifically targeting those situated in the lower left andright corners. Once again, this feature has been observed on Pixel phones,raising questions about its availability on other Android 14 devices.
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As Android enthusiasts eagerly await the official release of Android 14,these hints of a widget revival on the lock screen and enhancedcustomization options offer a glimpse into the exciting potentialimprovements that Google is exploring for its mobile operating system.
While it remains to be seen if these features will indeed make their way toa broader range of Android devices, the mobile technology landscape isundoubtedly evolving, with both Google and Apple striving to provide userswith more versatile and customizable experiences on their lock screens.These developments reflect the ongoing competition and innovation withinthe mobile industry, ultimately benefiting users by expanding thecapabilities of their smartphones.
