Fantastical 3.6 Adds New Scheduling Features to Make It Easier to Find Meeting Times

[whatgift]

I bought this app a few years ago in a Christmas sale based on rave reviews. I couldn’t believe how basic the app was once installed. It is (or at least was) just a list of appointments. Not even a day view - just a never-ending “agenda” type view. There’s a row at the top that shows the corresponding calendar days (like a single row of a monthly calendar). As you scroll down the agenda list, the days scroll horizontally to keep the timeline in sync.

That’s basically it. The calender can be expanded to a pseudo month view. It uses the calendar APIs which means when you view or add appointments, it’s literally the exact same UI as the default calendar app (because it’s relying on the calendar app to actually create and save the appointments).

It’s shocking me to that anyone finds it useful. It’s the most basic way that appointment information could possibly be organized.

Not sure which version you used, but the free version I use has day, week, month, quarter and year views, and allows you to see a calendar view with all your upcoming events and reminders at the same time, which the default iOS calendar cannot do (and why I don't use it). Also, being able to type an appointment in using natural language is a big advantage.

 

[wanha]

Yawn. Here comes another “a monthly sub for a calendar app?” flame war.

If it works for you, like it works for me, it’s well worth it.

If it doesn’t, then move on. Nothing to see here.

Let me see if I understand this... your public opinion is that other people shouldn't have public opinions about this topic?

 

[wanha]

I love Fantastical and this Openings feature sounds really useful.

However... at $40/year for YET ANOTHER subscription is just too much.

I am already paying monthly or yearly subscriptions for:
- Apple Music
- iCloud storage
- Backblaze
- Tweetbot
- iFlicks
- VPN
- mobile phone plan
- home internet

Then on top comes whatever TV streaming services I use.

It all adds up and I have to draw the line somewhere- and I'm drawing it here at $40/year for a calendar app.

 

[Janichsan]

Glad to see the company rolling out new features.

That's the bare minimum you should expect if you have to pay a monthly fee for an app.

 

[kesenwangs]

I hate subscription models, but it would be attractive if it utilized FaceTime links and shared them with both parties instead of just “booking a slots”.

 

[andy89]

Loved Fantastical, didn't mind paying for new versions every few years But I can't see myself paying monthly or even yearly for a calendar app.

Expense it.

 

[Konigi]

I have always loved Fantastical because it blends reminders and calendar together - I've used it for years, but never moved to the paid plan as I was grandfathered in with some of the previous pro features.

Exactly. I still use vanilla Apple apps (calendars, reminders), and still don't understand why timed reminders can't appear in the Calendar app. I'm thinking of switching to Fantastical...

 

[jonnysods]

Exactly. I still use vanilla Apple apps (calendars, reminders), and still don't understand why timed reminders can't appear in the Calendar app. I'm thinking of switching to Fantastical...

Honestly I've been using it for maybe 6+ years, possibly more - having them together is very productive. And also Fantastical is easier to use than the Reminders app itself.

 

[Konigi]

Exactly. I still use vanilla Apple apps (calendars, reminders), and still don't understand why timed reminders can't appear in the Calendar app. I'm thinking of switching to Fantastical...

I tried it for one hour yesterday, as I've been thinking about it for some time. Finally, I was disappointed. The calendar felt clustered. Some simple features from Apple's Calendar were missing, such as the easy one-click switching on and off the view of specific sub-calendars, or making a calendar public or by invitation.

There were way too may Reminders all over the place in my calendar, not the ones that I need. It is possible to unselect the categories we don't want, but this is not the way I manage my reminders. And it would show reminders not tied to dates too, which I don't need when I look at my calendar.

I was hoping for an in-app to-do list, such a daily to-do list, a weekly to-do list, etc. I guess it's still possible to do it.

I was looking forward to it, but it's probably not for me. I'll stay in my comfortable habits.
I didn't try Cardhoper. Looks nice, but in the end I prefer to keep it simple.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Just started the 14 day free trial of Fantastical. It's OK but seems a little congested and "busy". Don't think I'll continue with the paid version. Will either use the free version or Apple's calendar.