Apple's iPad widgets do more than most owners realize, Engadget reports

Many iPad users underestimate what widgets can do, according to Engadget, which has rounded up ten options that often go unnoticed. The publication notes that adding a standard Weather, Calendar or Photos widget only scratches the surface of what the feature offers.

Engadget also points out that Apple expanded Today View with extra-large widgets in iPadOS 27, giving the format more room on the larger display. The report covers both Apple's own widgets and third-party alternatives.

To see what is available, the guide says to press and hold a blank area of the Home Screen, choose Edit and then Add Widget. Some apps offer several sizes. Existing app icons can also be converted by holding them and selecting a size, though not every app allows this.

For shoppers awaiting orders, Engadget singles out Parcel, which lists upcoming deliveries without requiring the app to be opened. It works with as many as 300 delivery services, among them UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL and Amazon Logistics. A map widget in multiple sizes shows where a parcel currently is.

Linking an Amazon account pulls orders in automatically, so tracking numbers need not be copied by hand. Other shipments can be added by scanning a label barcode with the app's built-in scanner. Parcel also offers a native Mac app and browser access. The free tier tracks three deliveries at once and omits push notifications; a Premium subscription at $6.99 per year removes both limits.

Apple's Home widget is another interactive option, letting users switch lights on or off without launching the app. It can also lock and unlock garage doors when a HomeKit-compatible controller is present. Holding the widget and tapping Edit Widget lets owners choose which accessories and scenes appear, so frequently used items stay close at hand.

The widget handles bulbs, LED strips and smart plugs, with available controls depending on the hardware owned. Engadget notes it is designed for simple on and off actions; changing brightness, color or thermostat settings still requires the full app.

(Not Boring) Weather takes a different approach, using a 3D, video game-style look with interactive visuals. It displays readings such as temperature, sky conditions, rain, UV level and wind speed, and works on both the Lock Screen and Home Screen. Data can be sourced from Apple, AccuWeather, Foreca or the National Weather Service, selectable in settings.