The Renaissance of the Lock Screen

Apple and Google are bringing more functionality to the lock screen, the next step in the ambient computing future that both companies envision

Smartphone innovation in 2022 is in an interesting place. There is a perception that phones have become stale, in desperate need of a jolt of excitement. Part of this is the reality of a market that has been in the maturity stage of the product life cycle for a long time. One of the solutions to this problem has been the proliferation of folding display technology from companies like Samsung and Oppo. But on the software side of the equation, there have been some issues in developing features that excite users. Apple and Google are trying to change this by reimagining the first thing you see when you tap the power button on your smartphone: the lock screen.

A Little Razzle Dazzle

Apple recently announced the latest version of iOS for iPhones: iOS 16. During the launch event at the company’s Worldwide Developer Conference, the company spent a large chunk of time talking about how they have reimagined the lock screen of the iPhone. The company introduced a customization element with support for widgets…