Years ago, Microsoft introduced a unique type of storing apps on the home screen of its Windows Phone. It appealed to the users because of Live Tiles, animated widgets that moved around, and it quickly became a benchmark of display in the tech world.

Source: The Verge

Apple users desperately waited for the company to do something similar and almost ten years later, with iOS 14, it has added the feature of widgets on the home screen.

With Live Tiles, Microsoft users were able to see information on the home screen and you could pin those apps to anywhere on the display because they were able to move. The colorful animation also made the screen quite vibrant and the company was appreciated for bringing something new to the phone displays. The feature was so important to Microsoft that they hired celebrities like Gwen Stefani to promote it.

Source: Apple

We cannot say that Apple has copied Microsoft but most features of widgets have been heavily inspired by Live Tiles. For instance, the UI tweaks, the addition of folders, some dock changes, and most importantly a static row of app icons widgets have a stark resemblance to the Live Tiles.

With Apple’s widgets you will be able to see what song is playing, see images from your camera roll, use clocks for multiple time zones and keep a check on the weather forecast simultaneously.