iOS 8 widgets first look revealed

Many Apple users have been clamouring for widgets on the iPhone or iPad for years, and their wish will finally be granted with their introduction on iOS 8.

As reported by BGR, who have the first glimpse (pictured above)what these widgets will look like on the iPhone, the new features will look something like the Dataman Next and Dataman Pro widgets, both created by developer Johnny Ixe.

The apps provide real-time data usage information, helping iPhone users to keep within their data limits. The widget is colour coded to signify how far along their usage they are and a single swipe provides access to more information.

As previously outlined, the widget appears within the Notification Centre's today panel, so you can keep an eye on it without opening a specific app.

Long a part of Android operating systems, widgets allow for easier access to information and alerts from the homescreen, but the hesitation from Apple reportedly stems from how much battery power they use. To avoid this problem, iOS 8 widgets will live in the Notification Centre rather than the home screen.

Third-party widgets will also be supported, finally bringing Apple in line with both Android and Windows Phone's live tiles in terms of instantly visible information available at a glance.

The Notification Centre in iOS 8 will also let you make use of interactive alerts, which could make replying to an email or message much easier.