Apple introduced a new concept for developers with iOS 8 called Extensibility. This allows users to use services from apps throughout the system without actually being in the app itself, and widgets in Notification Center’s Today view are a major example of this feature in action.
Widgets from supported apps can be enabled by swiping down to the Today view in Notification Center, scrolling down to the “edit” button at the bottom, and tapping the “+” icon next to any supported apps. When you install a new app that supports a Today view widget, a badge will appear on the edit button to subtly notify you of the widget. You can also rearrange widgets as well as remove Apple’s own Notification Center widgets.
Many of these widgets present up-to-date information like the number of steps you’ve taken today, upcoming tasks or events on your third-party task management app or calendar, and much, much more. Below we’ll show you several of the latest apps offering widgets right now in Notification Center’s Today view.
24me (Free)
Personal assistant app with Today view widget for calendar, notes, and tasks.
Asana (Free)
The collaboration app now shows current tasks from the Today view in Notification Center.
Audible (Free)
A new “Today” widget! Easily track your listening time using your device’s pulldown menu. Swipe down from the device’s header and tap “Edit” to add the Audible widget to the main screen
Breaking News (Free)
Today view widget for breaking news.
British Airways (Free)
The widget displays information about your next flight in the Today view of notification centre. You can access notification centre from any screen. Just swipe down from the top of the screen and press edit to find the British Airways widget.
Calendars 5 ($6.99)
The alternative to Apple’s Calendar app now supports Notification Center including the ability to add new events from the Today view widget.
Clear ($4.99)
Access your upcoming to do items without opening the app via the Notification Center widget.
Countdowns (Free)
Track countdowns from Notification Center
DataMan ($1.99, $4.99, $9.99)
DataMan Widget gives just the right amount of information on a color-coded translucent background. In a glance you can instantly know your real-time data usage and forecast. At any screen, simply swipe down to Notification Center to view the widget.
Day One (Free)
Today Extension (Widget)**—Get inspired with flashbacks of past entries. – Graphs of recent entry counts, daily word counts, photo counts – Photo from a year(s) ago on this day (+ random photos)
Digg (Free)
See your top stories without opening the app
Dropbox (Free)
See your recent activity in the Today view widget in the Notification Center, easily save files to Dropbox, and open your files directly from within other apps
Duolingo (Free)
The free, language learning app received an update including Today widget support showing you your language coach and goals.
ETA ($1.99)
The personal driving assistant app is adding the powerful Today widget seen below and going half off at 99¢.
Evernote (Free)
Create different kinds of notes from your Notification Center with the new widget
Finish (Free)
Not only is the task management app getting a new Today widget for accessing upcoming items, it’s also picking up interactive notifications.
iTranslate (Free)
This handy language translator is putting quickly translate any text without opening the app.
LinkedIn (Free)
In iOS8, we’ve made it even easier to share and stay informed about your network:
• Enjoy quick access to who’s viewed you today in your Notification Center. • Conveniently share links and photos with your connections. • Easily accept connection invitations and quickly respond to message from your phone’s lock screen.
Luminos ($6.99)
We’ve included two iOS 8 Today extensions so you can have the Sun and Moon rise and set times and Jupiter’s Galilean moon arrangement at your fingertips anytime.
Matter ($1.99)
Inspiration widget in Today view
NYT Now (Free)
This current events and news widget is loaded with images and headlines. Both the New York Times for iPhone and iPad offer similar widgets as well. A new NYT Cooking app for iPad with a widget also launched today.
OmniFocus ($19.99)
The task management system now shows the Today section of the Forecast view in Notification Center.
OpenTable (Free)
Notification Center widget support to display upcoming reservations
Parcel (Free)
Today widget (requires iOS 8). Informs you if you have any deliveries arriving today or tomorrow (deliveries with expected delivery date only)
PCalc ($9.99)
Notification Center widget for quickly performing calculations and jumping into PCalc. Also supports Handoff for switching between devices when using the app.
Pedometer++ (Free)
The popular step counting app is updating to allow you to view your steps taken in the Today view in Notification Center. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users will also see the number of floors climbed using the new M8 chip.
Retro for Instagram on iPad (Free)
Today extension support for iOS 8 – keep track your timeline & subscriptions in Today View.
Also features 1Password extension support.
Sky Guide ($1.99)
At-a-glance essentials can now be added to your Today section of Notification Center, including rise and set times for the Sun, Moon and planets along with a day/night timeline and altitude plots. It will also list any meteor showers and lunar eclipses. Great info is always just a swipe away.
Strava (Free)
Strava members can start and stop the recording of their activities through a new Notification Center widget, eliminating the need to navigate to the Strava app during a workout. The widget also displays real-time activity information including elapsed time, speed or pace, and total distance traveled.
TeeVee ($2.99)
Today widget for showing episodes you track without opening the app
Vice News (Free)
Brand new app launched today: See our most important stories at a glance in iOS 8’s Today view. Also supports Handoff between iOS 8 apps and website on Safari.
Wattpad (Free)
Free e-book reader with recent reads and your works on the Today screen.
Wdgts (Free)
This version includes the following 5 widgets:
- Calculator
- Currency Converter
- Time Zone
- Calendar
- Photo Frame
Weather Channel (Free)
iOS8 allows us to bring The Weather Channel widgets to you, so you can easily get weather information on-the-go.
Wunderlist (Free)
Say hello to the Today widget. Whenever you need to know what’s on your agenda, simply swipe down from any screen, and you’ll find all your to-dos due today in your Notification Centre.
Yahoo Weather (Free)
New with iOS 8: Today Extension allowing you to access the current weather with a single swipe
