My experience with KWGT has been a journey of rediscovery. In the past, as a dedicated user of Nova Launcher, I took great pleasure in crafting custom widgets that showcased essential information like time, weather, and phone statistics. However, I soon found myself at a crossroads when it came to Google’s existing widgets. My initial ambition was to enhance them, but I quickly realized that the polished and feature-rich nature of Google’s offerings set a high bar that was difficult to surpass. This realization sparked a new idea: what if I could create a Google widget that doesn’t currently exist?
Do you use KWGT to build widgets on your phone?
In a recent poll, opinions varied among users:
- Yes, all of my widgets are from KWGT: 9%
- Yes, but only some of my widgets are from KWGT: 14%
- I’ve used KWGT in the past, but don’t anymore: 27%
- No, I only use official app widgets: 50%
Why replace Google’s widgets in the first place?
As I delved deeper into the world of KWGT, I realized that my initial goal of recreating Google’s widgets was not only ambitious but perhaps unnecessary. While KWGT is a powerful tool, it became clear that my attempts to replicate Google’s user-friendly design would likely fall short. Instead, I decided to pivot and create something entirely different—a widget that would serve as a centralized hub for accessing the Google services I rely on most.
A simple widget housing shortcuts to the Google services and tools I use most is what I wanted, and KWGT let me build it.
What I found lacking in Google’s offerings was a widget that provided shortcuts to a comprehensive list of its services and tools. Thus, I envisioned an “omniwidget,” inspired by the Google Home widget, that would neatly organize all the essential Google services I frequently use. This widget would not only be functional but also customizable to reflect my personal style while maintaining Google’s signature pastel aesthetic.
How I built my Google widget using KWGT
Although my previous experience with KWGT was limited, I discovered that creating widgets with this tool is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how I went about it:
Downloading KWGT and adding the widget to your launcher
First, I downloaded KWGT from the Play Store. While the free version is available, I opted for the Pro version to unlock the full range of features. After installing, I added a 4×4 KWGT widget to my home screen, ensuring I had ample space to work with. Tapping on the widget led me to the KWGT Library screen, where I selected Create to begin my design.
Creating your widget’s basic shape
To establish the foundation of my widget, I followed these steps:
- Tap on the + icon at the top right and select Shape.
- In the Shape field, set it to Rectangle and adjust the dimensions to fit the widget canvas.
- For a polished look, I rounded the corners by setting the Corners slider to 20.
Creating your widget’s buttons
The functional aspect of my widget consisted of nine equally sized buttons. To ensure a clean layout, I left some margin between each button and around the edges. The structure included:
- Three Stack Groups (representing columns).
- Three Overlap Groups within each Stack Group (serving as the base for buttons).
- Three rectangles (the buttons) within each Overlap Group, each containing text, an icon, and an action trigger.
Visualizing this structure beforehand proved beneficial, especially given KWGT’s sometimes cramped interface. I also included a section for displaying the time, date, and current temperature.
Finding icons, images, the correct font, and colors
No widget is complete without visual elements. I utilized KWGT’s built-in functions and sourced Google icons online, ensuring I adhered to the aesthetic I aimed for. After some consideration, I settled on Noto Sans for the font, as Google Sans is not permitted outside of Google’s own applications. While I maintained the pastel color scheme, I took creative liberties with the hues to differentiate my widget.
Adding actions to your buttons
With the structure and aesthetics in place, I turned my attention to functionality. KWGT allows for app openings, action triggers, and shortcuts, which I incorporated into my buttons. To add a touch action:
- Navigate to the Root folder in KWGT.
- Access the Stack Groups > Overlap Group > Shape section.
- Select Touch from the tab bar.
- Choose the type of action you want for each button.
- Complete the setup by selecting the corresponding shortcut or app.
- Save your work and return to the launcher to test the widget.
For inspiration, I assigned various actions to my buttons, including shortcuts for Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Maps, among others. After finalizing the actions and saving the widget, I was ready to enjoy my creation.
While I am pleased with the outcome of my KWGT experiment, I still envision the potential for an official Google widget that offers customizable shortcuts to its extensive range of apps and services. The journey of widget creation has been enjoyable, and I look forward to further refining my omniwidget in the future.
