Apple Introduces Extra-Large Widgets to Today View with iPadOS 27 Update

Many iPad users are unaware of the full range of widgets available on their device. While basic weather and calendar widgets are widely used, there are numerous other useful widgets that can be easily overlooked. With the latest iPadOS 27 update, Apple has introduced extra-large widgets to Today View, taking advantage of the larger screen size.

To discover these hidden gems, users need to explore beyond the standard Weather and Calendar widgets. By touching and holding an empty spot on the Home Screen, tapping Edit, and selecting Add Widget, users can access a wider range of options. Depending on the app, various sizes may be available for selection.

Not all apps support widget functionality, but many do offer this feature. Users can turn existing app icons into widgets by touching and holding them, then choosing from a menu that includes different size options. This allows for easy access to frequently used information without cluttering the Home Screen.

For users who are often waiting on packages, a delivery tracking widget is a valuable asset. Parcel's widget provides real-time updates on upcoming deliveries, supporting over 300 services including major carriers like UPS and USPS. A map widget is also available in various sizes, displaying the location of a package.

The Parcel app offers an easy way to add new deliveries by scanning barcodes or connecting Amazon accounts for automatic tracking. This eliminates the need to manually enter long tracking numbers, saving time and effort.

In addition to its iPad app, Parcel has a native Mac application and web access, allowing users to manage their packages across multiple devices. However, there are limitations on the free version, including restrictions on the number of deliveries that can be tracked at one time.

The premium subscription for $6.99/year removes these limits, enabling push notifications and full functionality. This cost-effective solution provides peace of mind for busy individuals who rely on timely package delivery.

For users who frequently order online or send packages to others, a widget like Parcel's can greatly enhance their experience. By providing real-time tracking information in a convenient and accessible format, it streamlines the process and reduces stress associated with waiting on deliveries.

By exploring the range of available widgets, iPad users can unlock new levels of functionality and convenience on their device. With so many options to discover, there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether you're a newcomer or an experienced power user.

The Home app's widget offers a convenient way to make quick changes without launching the full app. This interactive widget can perform tasks such as switching lights on or off, locking and unlocking garage doors, all with just a few taps.

Users have complete control over what information is displayed in the widget. By touching and holding it, tapping Edit Widget, and selecting the desired accessories and scenes, users can customize their experience to suit their needs.

For instance, frequently used items such as bedroom lamps or evening scenes that automatically turn off lights at night can be kept easily accessible, while less frequently used accessories are hidden from view.

However, the widget's capabilities are limited to simple on-off actions. Adjusting brightness and color settings, or fine-tuning thermostat values, still requires opening the full app for more precise control.

The Home app's widget supports a range of smart accessories including bulbs, LED strips, and smart plugs. The specific controls available depend on the types of devices connected to the system.

In addition to its functional benefits, the widget also provides a more streamlined user experience. Quickly toggling between settings from the couch is faster than navigating through rooms in the full app.

The Not Boring Weather app offers a unique take on traditional weather forecasting widgets. Its design combines interactive visuals with detailed information about temperature, conditions, precipitation, and other key factors.

Developed by a company that prioritizes user data security, this app does not collect any personal information from its users. It is free to download and use, although a premium subscription is required for real-time weather updates.

The Find My widget is a convenient feature for tracking your Apple devices and accessories right from the Home Screen of your iPad. It displays the last known location of each item, so you can quickly identify where your keys or backpack were last spotted without needing to open the app.

This feature is especially useful when you're in a hurry and can't find something. The Find My widget shows each device's last location, allowing you to see if it was left at home, in the office, or somewhere else entirely.

The Find My app itself has some impressive capabilities. It can locate devices even when they're offline or powered off by leveraging the Find My network, which relies on nearby Apple devices to anonymously and securely share their location.

One useful feature of the Find My app is Notify When Left Behind, which sends you an alert if a device is left in an unfamiliar location.

The Endel widget offers quick access to AI-powered soundscapes that can help with focus, relaxation, or sleep. Its modes adjust to your circadian rhythm, making it easier to stay on track throughout the day.

This widget is particularly useful for those who use their iPad as a work or study device. With the Endel widget, you can start a focus soundscape in one tap without needing to hunt for a playlist first.

All soundscapes are available offline, so you can continue to use them even when you don't have a reliable internet connection. This makes it ideal for travel or working on a plane.

The free edition of Endel includes four classic soundscapes: Focus, Sleep, Relax, and Move. Each free session is capped at 10 minutes, but you can restart as often as you want.

The Mail widget on Apple devices is more than just an inbox display. It offers several options to customize its functionality, including displaying recent unread emails or messages from your VIP list or any other mailbox. Tapping an email in the widget will directly open that message in the Mail app.

Users can mark specific senders as VIPs, ensuring their messages are prominently displayed on the Home Screen and not buried under newsletters and promotions. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to stay on top of emails from a select few individuals, such as managers or clients.

Adding someone to your VIP list requires minimal effort. Simply open an email from the person in question and tap the header with their sender info. Then, select View Contact Card and subsequently Add to VIP on the resulting screen. Repeat this process for all individuals whose emails you never want to miss.

Their messages will now appear in Mail's VIP mailbox across both the widget and app, ensuring you stay informed about important communications without having to sift through cluttered inboxes.

Customization is key when it comes to personalizing your iPad experience. If none of the pre-installed widgets meet your requirements, Widgetsmith offers a solution by allowing users to design their own widgets from scratch.

This versatile tool enables users to craft widgets for various functions such as date, time, weather, calendar, reminders, and photos. The user can then fine-tune the fonts, colors, and layout to perfectly match their Home Screen aesthetic.

Widgetsmith also extends its capabilities to customizing the Lock Screen, ensuring both screens share a cohesive look. One of its standout features is scheduling, allowing users to display different widgets at various times of day.

For example, the same spot on your Home Screen could show the weather in the morning and your calendar during work hours. Recent updates have added clear and frosted styles that allow the wallpaper to show through, as well as a photo background feature that places an image behind a widget.

In addition to its customization options, Widgetsmith includes a built-in weather tool with air quality, pollen, and tide information. However, accessing this comprehensive weather data requires a premium subscription starting at $1.99 per month.

The Screen Time widget offers users a reality check on their daily screen time habits without requiring them to delve into the Settings app. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to monitor their usage patterns and prevent excessive screen time.

Two sizes of the Screen Time widget are available, with the smaller option simply displaying your daily total and the larger version providing a breakdown of the apps and categories you've spent time on.

The Screen Time widget has become even more useful with the latest update to iPadOS 27. This new version introduces two features that enhance its functionality: Schedules and Time Allowances.

Schedules allow you to control which apps are available at different times of the day, providing an extra layer of parental control for those setting up an iPad for their children. Time Allowances, on the other hand, put a cap on the amount of time spent in certain categories such as Entertainment, Games and Social Media.

This increased functionality makes the Screen Time widget particularly helpful for parents who want to monitor and limit their child's screen time. A quick glance at the widget shows whether their children are within their allowed limits, helping parents stay on top of things without having to constantly check the app itself.

The new features also make it easier to enforce screen-free times or set specific times when certain apps can be used. This can help create a healthier balance between screen time and other activities for both kids and adults alike.

Craft is another popular app that offers a range of useful widgets, especially on iPad where multiple widgets can be displayed side-by-side without cluttering the Home Screen. One of its most notable features is the ability to pin specific documents for one-tap access or display recent documents.

In addition to these features, Craft's Lock Screen widgets provide shortcuts for quick actions such as creating a new document or starting a Quick Entry. This makes it possible to stay organized and focused without having to open the app itself.

A key aspect of Craft is its Daily Notes feature, which allows users to plan their day by organizing tasks and notes in one place. The app's widgets respect this organizational structure, allowing each widget to be set to a specific Craft Space.

This means that work and personal notes can be kept separate, with different widgets displaying the relevant information depending on the user's needs. This flexibility makes it easy for users to customize their workflow to suit their individual requirements.

The Journal widget allows users to incorporate journaling into their daily routine from the comfort of their Home Screen. This innovative feature displays a user's current writing streak or provides a daily writing prompt, encouraging users to maintain a consistent journaling habit without having to search for the app.

The flexibility of The Journal app is further enhanced by its ability to accommodate multiple journals, each tailored to specific areas of life such as travel or work-related activities. For added security, users can lock their journals with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, ensuring that personal entries remain private.