Google is reintroducing lock screen widgets for Android devices, currently available only on the Pixel Tablet. This feature, once common in early Android versions, will return following the launch of Android 16, expected in June. Developers will gain the ability to activate lock screen widgets shortly after the OS release. While the feature isn’t currently enabled in the Android 16 beta, tests revealed that accessing widgets differs between the Pixel Tablet and smartphones. The latter requires activating screensaver mode, available only when charging or docked. Manufacturers may implement different methods for accessing the widget interface.
Google has announced the return of lock screen widgets to various Android tablets and smartphones, although currently, it is only available on the Pixel Tablet.
For those who may not recall, lock screen widgets were initially a feature of early Android versions but were removed over time. Now, Google is set to reinstate them shortly after the official rollout of Android 16.
The new operating system is anticipated to be available on the first devices starting in June, and Google has indicated that developers will be able to integrate lock screen widgets soon after the launch.
Although this feature is not enabled on current devices running the Android 16 beta, Android Authority managed to activate it and discovered an interesting detail. While users of the Pixel Tablet can swipe right on the lock screen to access the widgets, smartphone users must enable the Android screensaver mode, which is only functional when the device is charging or docked.
Nonetheless, Google is giving developers the option to choose how the widget interface will be activated, suggesting that we may see a variety of implementations from different smartphone manufacturers.
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