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Allyson Kazmucha
iOS 8 brought with it the introduction of Notification Center widgets for both iPhone and iPad. That means you can get sports scores, delivery information for all your packages, and lots more with just a quick swipe. While not all apps support Today View widgets just yet, these are currently the best iPhone apps and best iPad apps that take advantage of widgets in iOS 8!
Fantastical 2
Most of us here around iMore use Fantastical 2 in place of the stock Calendar app. In doing so we now get a beautiful Notification Center widget that lets you thumb through months and view all your reminders and calendar events for the day at a glance. Tap on any one of them and you're immediately taken to that particular item. It doesn't get much more convenient than that in terms of efficiency.
If you want calendar and reminder info that's thoughtfully laid out and accessible in just a swipe, Fantastical 2 is your answer.
- iPhone - $4.99 - Download Now
- iPad - $9.99 - Download Now
PCalc is one of the most advanced calculators available on the App Store and you can now access it easier than ever by adding it to Notification Center. All of us have had times where we spend a few seconds digging for the calculator app or searching for it. The PCalc widget eliminates all of that by putting a full calculator at your fingertips in just a swipe downwards.
If you're tired of fumbling around your Home screen to perform quick calculations on the go, PCalc in Notification Center is a dream come true.
- $9.99 - Download Now
If you use Evernote, you'll be happy to know that the latest update supports Notification Center widgets by letting you create new notes, reminders, and lists in a single tap. Once you've added the Evernote widget to Notification Center, you'll instantly have access to creating new content in just seconds.
For those that live and breathe by Evernote, you'll definitely want to add the Evernote widget to your Notification Center Today View.
- Free with optional subscriptions - Download Now
TeeVee 3 keeps track of all your tv shows in a beautifully designed interface that's easy to use and fun to look at. Just load up your favorite shows and you're good to go. And with support for iOS 8 widgets, you can see all of your upcoming shows in just a glance so you never miss one again, or at the very least, remember to record it!
If you're a couch surfer and want a great way to track your tv shows right from Notification Center, TeeVee 3 is what you want.
- $2.99 - Download Now
Writing Aid is one of my favorite dictionary apps for iPhone simply because it's simple, easy to use, and lets you type in synonyms or strings of words when you don't know the right word to use. It's unique and it's a joy to use. Writing Aid now comes complete with Notification Center widget support that lets you view the word of the day at a glance, and let's face it, all of us can benefit from expanding our vocabulary on a regular basis.
If you want a great dictionary and meanings app along with a way to learn new words each and every day right in Notification Center, look no further than Writing Aid.
- $0.99 - Download Now
I like to keep up with my favorite sports teams but sometimes I don't want notifications bombarding my iPhone, or can't have them on for one reason or another. Of course you can always check an app but why when ESPN SportsCenter can keep you up to date on scores and even stream live radio right from the Lock screen of your iPhone, thanks to widget support. Once you've configured your teams and a few other settings, you're good to go!
If you're a sports fanatic, ESPN SportsCenter can provide info on your favorite teams and live radio in widget form now.
- Free - Download Now
Dark Sky is scary accurate at predicting rain, snow, or any other kind of precipitation. The app is also gorgeously designed and easy to use. Not only that, Dark Sky also offers an option for a Notification Center widget that lets you see what you can expect over the next hour without even having to launch the app itself.
If you want easy access to up to the minute precipitation data, there's nothing better than the Dark Sky widget.
- $3.99 - Download Now
Deliveries is one of my absolute favorite apps when it comes to tracking packages. If you have a URL on your clipboard, Deliveries automatically recognizes it and can import it. With support for any kind of tracking as well as push notifications, Deliveries supports pretty much any kind of shipment you could need. Not only that, Deliveries also offers a Notification Center widget so in a quick pulldown you can see a countdown to when your package is scheduled to arrive next to the the latest status update.
For quick access to all your package deliveries in a single swipe, look no further than Deliveries.
- $4.99 - Download Now
If you've found some particularly awesome apps that support widgets in iOS 8, be sure to let me know in the comments what they are and what makes them so great!
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