https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/01/how-to-use-iphone-widgets-today-view-swipe-right.html

One of the most useful features on the iPhone is hidden to the left of the home screen. But, if you've never swiped over, or just never bothered to set it up, the "Today View" on your iPhone might just look like a bunch of random boxes.

Those boxes are called "widgets," and, when set up properly, they can provide all sorts of useful information and tools.