In a move to keep users informed during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Apple News is set to introduce a new feature leveraging Live Activities. This innovative approach will allow iPhone users to track election results in real-time directly from their Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.
The feature, scheduled to launch on Election Day, November 5, will provide up-to-the-second updates on electoral counts for each candidate. Users can easily access this information without the need to unlock their devices or open multiple apps.
To activate this feature, users can follow these simple steps:
- Open the Apple News app
- Tap on the "Follow the 2024 election live" banner
- If the banner isn't visible, navigate to the "Election 2024" Special Coverage section in the menu
- Confirm the activation of Live Activities when prompted
Once activated, the Live Activity will appear as a large, interactive widget on the Lock Screen. For devices with a Dynamic Island, such as the iPhone 14 Pro and later models, users will see a continuous display of electoral counts.
This feature is not limited to iPhones. iPad users running iPadOS 17 or later can also access these live updates on their Lock Screens. Apple Watch users can view the data in their widget view as well.
While the Live Activity offers immediate access to election results, users have the option to dismiss the Dynamic Island content temporarily without closing the entire Live Activity. This flexibility allows users to manage their engagement with election updates as they see fit.
It's worth noting that the availability of this feature depends on the device and software version. Users will need an iPhone 14 Pro or later running at least iOS 16.1, or an iPad with iPadOS 17 or later. Additionally, Apple News itself is not available in all regions, so users should check their local availability.
As the 2024 election approaches, this new feature from Apple News aims to provide a convenient and up-to-date source of information for users, right at their fingertips. Whether this will prove to be a useful tool or an added source of election anxiety remains to be seen, but it certainly offers a new way for users to stay informed during this critical event.