Welcome back. Momentum has grown around 19% since last week. Almost 2000 of you are now learning to improve your life with automation, AI, and tech.

If you’ve been here a while, you may notice things look slightly different, and you’d be right. I’m experimenting with some different looks, lengths, and styles. Reply or click the one-click poll at the bottom to let me know your thoughts.

I’m on Threads now, talking daily about hot takes in tech, automation, and AI. Join me in conversation over there.

Widgets.

Something I once thought was completely useless now takes up half my home screen on my phone. See my full home screen at the bottom.

I’ve seen great time-saving benefits from using Widgets, but it wasn’t until I started using them correctly that they were useful.

Why use a Widget?

I thought, “Why use a widget when I could just open the app.”

The answer I found over months of testing widgets boils down to this.

(Widget interactions are available on Android, iOS 17 Interactive Widgets coming soon) 

This may seem too straightforward, so in the next section, I will show you how my widgets were set up previously, which I found pointless.

A great example of the “Why” of widgets is the two apps I have above as widgets. I rarely need to open my Tesla app, but glancing at my battery level, charging speed, charging time, etc, is useful. Also, for other Tesla owners, I found that my phone key worked more consistently after adding the widget.

Similarly, my Whoop fitness metrics allow me to monitor my recovery, sleep, training, and health from my home screen. If I need personalized recommendations and coaching feedback, I simply click on the widget to navigate to the app. Get a free WHOOP 4.0 device and 1-month free when signing up here.

What makes a bad Widget?

🌶️ HOT TAKE:

The Widget is more than a few words of reading

This might stir the pot a bit, but hear me out. This concept applies to everyday tools, such as tasks, calendars, and news apps.

Take a calendar app, for instance. The widget often doesn't show the full event title or the crucial details nested within the event. A quick peek isn't enough; we need more depth. With notifications reminding me of calendar events, I want to know more about the events on my calendar, not just when they are.

Then we have the task apps that trip on the same stumbling block. Most tasks assigned to me have detailed information that the widget overlooks. Plus, I dismiss the widget because I usually don't complete tasks on my phone. I have my laptop for referencing and completing tasks, making the widget feel somewhat redundant.

News apps have their own set of problems. Part of it is the reading dilemma, but there's more to it. Feedly, for example, curates news articles based on my preferences. But the widget falls short by truncating the headlines and keeping the same news piece stagnating on my home screen for hours. That's not what I signed up for!

So, widgets aren't just about being compact or quick; they must deliver the right information effectively. Otherwise, they're just decorative clutter on our screens.

Do you agree with this hot take 🌶️? Please reply and let me know and include a screenshot of your home screen.

The Widget is only referenced once per day.

Consider this: If a widget only offers information or a function you need once a day, is it worth the prime real estate it occupies on your home screen for the remaining hours?

A great example is a weather widget. Useful? Absolutely.

But how often do you need to check the weather for the day?

The key to an effective widget is its frequency of use in tandem with its usefulness. Widgets should offer something of value consistently throughout your day, not just once. So if a widget's utility dips after the first use of the day, it's worth reconsidering its place on your home screen.

Remember, the magic of widgets lies in their ability to offer instant, readily available information or functionality.

The Widget is a shortcut of the app.

Take Bing’s widget, for example. Their widget takes up 8 app tiles (on iOS); no matter where you click, it just opens the Bing app. Home screen space is valuable; if you find your widget doing this, use the app tile itself.

In this light, widgets should do more than merely mimic app shortcuts. They should offer a distinct, meaningful advantage, as a valuable conduit to key app functionalities. If all your widget does is serve as a bloated app shortcut, perhaps it's time to let it go and reclaim your home screen.

What Widgets are the best to use for Android and iOS?

Widget Categories useful for Android and iOS:

1. Fitness Trackers - Easy to glance at and get your progress. Stay motivated with constant reminders. Examples: WHOOP, Fitbit, Apple Fitness.

2. Device Information - Keep tabs on your device’s battery information with the Battery widget or keep your screen time in check with Screen Time. The battery widget has saved me many times.

3. Smart Home - If you've embraced the smart home revolution, you'll love widgets that provide one-click control over your home's various smart features. Whether you need to dim the lights or secure your home, these widgets make it efficient, eliminating the need to navigate multiple apps.

As promised, here is the home screen I found most functional for me. I’d love to see some of your home screens, so reply to this email with a screenshot to be featured next week!

So, let me know your thoughts with this one-click poll below! I’m excited to see some of your home screens!