Apple has introduced a real-time Live Activities feature within the Apple News app, providing instant updates on US election results directly to iPhone home and lock screens. This new feature allows users to bypass traditional media coverage for a more streamlined experience, with election data updating right on their devices.
When opening Apple News, users see a prompt inviting them to “follow the election live” throughout Tuesday night. For users outside the U.S. or those who don’t receive the prompt, a “Follow the election live” banner on the app’s homepage allows easy access. Tapping this activates the Live Activity, which will automatically update with election results as they come in.
As polls close and votes are counted, the Live Activity feature delivers instant updates to the home and lock screens. There’s no need to reopen the app or manually refresh, as the widget updates dynamically with each new electoral count.
Initially launched with iOS 16.1 in 2022, Apple’s Live Activity feature was designed for real-time updates like sports scores and ride-sharing status. Positioned as a discreet bar at the base of the lock screen or within the Dynamic Island on the home screen, it enhances functionality with quick, unobtrusive snapshots of information.
Unlike standard widgets that provide ongoing updates for battery levels, smart home devices, weather, and news, Live Activities condenses real-time information into a compact, accessible format, setting a new standard for seamless, real-time updates.
