iOS 17: Interactive Widgets

Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets are interactive and can be used without launching an app. For instance, in the Reminders widget, you may mark off completed tasks, and in the Home widget, you can manage your smart home devices. Apple's apps are compatible with these kinds of interactive widgets, and third-party app developers will soon be able to take advantage of them as well. 

If you have a Home widget installed, for instance, you may use it to manage your smart home without ever launching the Home app. Apple's apps are highly interactive, and an API is available for other developers to use the same techniques.

Widgets that respond to your input are not limited to the Home Screen, but may be used on the Lock Screen as well.