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Which iPhone to-do list do you use? :D
- Thread starter raymondu999
- Start date
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I purchased Things for my mac, (already had the iPhone version, but it's mostly useless without the Mac app), and bought the iPad app.
It's simplistic in a great way. Easy to use. Isn't very powerful. Doesn't have great syncing and each app is sort of missing features from the other apps.
Notably repeating tasks.
Some things I really dislike. No ability to sync from the clients. The mac app is loaded all the time on my mac. If I open the iPad or iPhone app it syncs. But if I add anything to the iPad or iPhone apps I have to goto the computer and click the Sync button OR quit the iPhone or iPad app and reload it. Seriously... failure on Cultured Code's part here.
Nevermind forgetting to sync before leaving the house. All your updates are on the computer and you can't get to them. They claim they're working on some sort of Cloud syncing solution. I'll believe it when I see it.
Progress seems to be slow.
No subtasks or dependencies are supported.
If you add a note to a task you have to "edit" the task to see it from the Mac app. Making notes nearly worthless on the mac in my opinion.
You can't group projects by folders. Areas cannot be added or edited on either of the iPad or iPhone apps. Supposedly this is coming soon.
And my biggest gripe after purchasing all of this is the terrible Forums. Cultured Code has some real douche's running about on their forums who seem to think it's their job to defend Cultured Code from the masses.
Honestly, I'd say avoid Things until it actually does what you want. Because buying it now and expecting features to be added soon isn't worth it. These guys are slow as molasses in the winter time at adding features.
It's simplistic in a great way. Easy to use. Isn't very powerful. Doesn't have great syncing and each app is sort of missing features from the other apps.
Notably repeating tasks.
Some things I really dislike. No ability to sync from the clients. The mac app is loaded all the time on my mac. If I open the iPad or iPhone app it syncs. But if I add anything to the iPad or iPhone apps I have to goto the computer and click the Sync button OR quit the iPhone or iPad app and reload it. Seriously... failure on Cultured Code's part here.
Nevermind forgetting to sync before leaving the house. All your updates are on the computer and you can't get to them. They claim they're working on some sort of Cloud syncing solution. I'll believe it when I see it.
Progress seems to be slow.
No subtasks or dependencies are supported.
If you add a note to a task you have to "edit" the task to see it from the Mac app. Making notes nearly worthless on the mac in my opinion.
You can't group projects by folders. Areas cannot be added or edited on either of the iPad or iPhone apps. Supposedly this is coming soon.
And my biggest gripe after purchasing all of this is the terrible Forums. Cultured Code has some real douche's running about on their forums who seem to think it's their job to defend Cultured Code from the masses.
Honestly, I'd say avoid Things until it actually does what you want. Because buying it now and expecting features to be added soon isn't worth it. These guys are slow as molasses in the winter time at adding features.
RobT
macrumors 6502a
I agree; very good assessment. I too purchased Things and agree with the above limitations identified.
A ToDo app that came out recently that looks pretty good is "Today ToDo Pro."
I don't have it but the video (see below) shows it and it looks good to me. The price is good ($3.99) and you can access it with your browser, which is nice.
http://www.appleiphoneschool.com/2010/04/21/today-todo-pro-unique-todo-application/
My real issue is that I have yet to find anything that is well designed.
OmniFocus is too feature packed and doesn't even specifically support a "Today" view really. It just seems way too hardcore for most people. It's professional grade and I really don't require that level of application.
Things is too uh... feature-lacking though and doesn't support simple stuff that should be available. Developers seem to "listen" but never seem to "act" on the listening. The iPad app is gorgeous, the iPhone app is a great step. Syncing is lacking, support sucks, and the three apps are too fragmented. They each seem like separate apps that just happen to sync but rarely feel like a cohesive set of applications.
Taskpaper is certainly different from the other two. No repeating tasks. Feels cumbersome to use when I tried it on the iPhone. Requires too much management of the information. It helps auto-fill but eh.. just isn't for me.
The Hit List - So far is my favorite Mac application but is missing the iPhone and iPad versions of the app. When those show up we'll see how the syncing is. Not holding my breath but hoping Potion Factory pulls a rabbit outta the hat here eventually. Developer is MIA but randomly pops up saying he's working on the apps still. I trust this information and can only hope that things improve given time.
Web stuff isn't really an option for me. They typically lack speed and offline access or require recurring fees. I hate recurring fees and have done everything in my power the past few months to remove as many of them from my budget as possible. So that puts Remember The Milk out of the realm of possibility, along with several others.
Other applications that I haven't tried but don't want to fork over even more cash for at this point would be "Taska" which looked nice at first but after seeing videos and screen shots it appears to be very busy and distracting. One of the things that is really nice about Things is that it doesn't look busy... sadly I suspect that's more having to do with the lack of features than anything else.
Still searching for the right app... I may have to consider making my own. Apparently there is a huge market for this stuff.
OmniFocus is too feature packed and doesn't even specifically support a "Today" view really. It just seems way too hardcore for most people. It's professional grade and I really don't require that level of application.
Things is too uh... feature-lacking though and doesn't support simple stuff that should be available. Developers seem to "listen" but never seem to "act" on the listening. The iPad app is gorgeous, the iPhone app is a great step. Syncing is lacking, support sucks, and the three apps are too fragmented. They each seem like separate apps that just happen to sync but rarely feel like a cohesive set of applications.
Taskpaper is certainly different from the other two. No repeating tasks. Feels cumbersome to use when I tried it on the iPhone. Requires too much management of the information. It helps auto-fill but eh.. just isn't for me.
The Hit List - So far is my favorite Mac application but is missing the iPhone and iPad versions of the app. When those show up we'll see how the syncing is. Not holding my breath but hoping Potion Factory pulls a rabbit outta the hat here eventually. Developer is MIA but randomly pops up saying he's working on the apps still. I trust this information and can only hope that things improve given time.
Web stuff isn't really an option for me. They typically lack speed and offline access or require recurring fees. I hate recurring fees and have done everything in my power the past few months to remove as many of them from my budget as possible. So that puts Remember The Milk out of the realm of possibility, along with several others.
Other applications that I haven't tried but don't want to fork over even more cash for at this point would be "Taska" which looked nice at first but after seeing videos and screen shots it appears to be very busy and distracting. One of the things that is really nice about Things is that it doesn't look busy... sadly I suspect that's more having to do with the lack of features than anything else.
Still searching for the right app... I may have to consider making my own. Apparently there is a huge market for this stuff.
Since my last post I've completed dived into Appigo's ToDo as a Things replacement.
I miss having a solid Mac app with alert badges in my dock, but I like the iPhone app much better. ToDo is horrible with projects, but using separate lists is a decent work-around.
I still own Things, and if they ever fix the annoyances, I can always switch back.
I miss having a solid Mac app with alert badges in my dock, but I like the iPhone app much better. ToDo is horrible with projects, but using separate lists is a decent work-around.
I still own Things, and if they ever fix the annoyances, I can always switch back.
buggsy2
macrumors newbie
Need to-do list that will do this...
Wow! What a great thread. I will be bold to hijack it a bit to ask for help in identifying a to-do app that has these features, listed roughly in priority (highest priority first).
* to-do list on iPhone 4
* also on Windows...
** ...preferably using Google Sidebar, not a separate Windows program...
**...and not only web-based or Outlook (explanation to follow)
* with and without due dates
* no yearly fees
* don't mind paying some money for the proper app
* sync via internet, not only WiFi or BT.
* don't want the only Windows access or sync to be via Outlook
* active development team, updates, etc.
* complexity and power not needed
* syncing with Outlook not needed but don't mind if it's there
More explanation
I just got an iPhone 4, my first major Apple appliance. Having used it all of a week it's already changing the way I do things. However, being an old guy I really prefer to do much typing on a real keyboard, so I'd like my to-do app to allow that (enter items from a desktop).
I also spend many hours in front of Windows computers at work and home, and really want the to-do app to quietly and automatically sync between desktops and iPhone via the Internet (not only WiFi). I want the to-do lists to be always on-screen on the desktops; I don't want to have to go to a web page or start a program to see what the items are. The iPhone advantage is that it's always with me and I can always enter brief to-do reminders on that anywhere.
Before the iPhone I used Google Calendar for personal appointments and Sticky Notes in Google Sidebar for to-do items; Sticky Notes stored the notes on its website and sort of automatically updated its Sidebar display between machines. Well, I continue to use G. Calendar because it has a nice G. Sidebar gadget and a nice iPhone interface. But it's no good for to-do's because of course everything must have a date. Really wish Google would improve on their Tasks and integrate it with Calendar.
So, what to use for to-do lists and tasks? I've read over this fine thread and looked at a number of websites. So far I can't identify an app that clearly meets the priorities at the top of this post. I have registered with Toodledo because I saw several iPhone apps sync with that, but apparently Toodledo Windows access is only via a web page.
At the moment on my iPhone I am trying 2Do and GeeTasks [Lite versions]. I really like 2Do, but don't see how it is accessible from a desktop machine in the manner I want. I like GeeTasks' notion of using Google Tasks, since it takes advantage of Google's immense cloud, but oddly Google doesn't even provide a Sidebar gadget for their own Tasks (their Sidebar ToDo gadget doesn't use their Google Tasks, c'mon guys!!).
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
/Bugged
Edit: Since posting this I decided to settle on using Google Calendar+Tasks as my basic calendar-todo engine. That removed a lot of otherwise nice apps from consideration. I've downloaded Calengoo for the while, and may also pay for GeeTasks if I find Calengoo's Google Task access not enough. To be sure I miss the very nice interface of 2Do, but having access to my calendar on many different computers is more important to me.
Wow! What a great thread. I will be bold to hijack it a bit to ask for help in identifying a to-do app that has these features, listed roughly in priority (highest priority first).
* to-do list on iPhone 4
* also on Windows...
** ...preferably using Google Sidebar, not a separate Windows program...
**...and not only web-based or Outlook (explanation to follow)
* with and without due dates
* no yearly fees
* don't mind paying some money for the proper app
* sync via internet, not only WiFi or BT.
* don't want the only Windows access or sync to be via Outlook
* active development team, updates, etc.
* complexity and power not needed
* syncing with Outlook not needed but don't mind if it's there
More explanation
I just got an iPhone 4, my first major Apple appliance. Having used it all of a week it's already changing the way I do things. However, being an old guy I really prefer to do much typing on a real keyboard, so I'd like my to-do app to allow that (enter items from a desktop).
I also spend many hours in front of Windows computers at work and home, and really want the to-do app to quietly and automatically sync between desktops and iPhone via the Internet (not only WiFi). I want the to-do lists to be always on-screen on the desktops; I don't want to have to go to a web page or start a program to see what the items are. The iPhone advantage is that it's always with me and I can always enter brief to-do reminders on that anywhere.
Before the iPhone I used Google Calendar for personal appointments and Sticky Notes in Google Sidebar for to-do items; Sticky Notes stored the notes on its website and sort of automatically updated its Sidebar display between machines. Well, I continue to use G. Calendar because it has a nice G. Sidebar gadget and a nice iPhone interface. But it's no good for to-do's because of course everything must have a date. Really wish Google would improve on their Tasks and integrate it with Calendar.
So, what to use for to-do lists and tasks? I've read over this fine thread and looked at a number of websites. So far I can't identify an app that clearly meets the priorities at the top of this post. I have registered with Toodledo because I saw several iPhone apps sync with that, but apparently Toodledo Windows access is only via a web page.
At the moment on my iPhone I am trying 2Do and GeeTasks [Lite versions]. I really like 2Do, but don't see how it is accessible from a desktop machine in the manner I want. I like GeeTasks' notion of using Google Tasks, since it takes advantage of Google's immense cloud, but oddly Google doesn't even provide a Sidebar gadget for their own Tasks (their Sidebar ToDo gadget doesn't use their Google Tasks, c'mon guys!!).
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
/Bugged
Edit: Since posting this I decided to settle on using Google Calendar+Tasks as my basic calendar-todo engine. That removed a lot of otherwise nice apps from consideration. I've downloaded Calengoo for the while, and may also pay for GeeTasks if I find Calengoo's Google Task access not enough. To be sure I miss the very nice interface of 2Do, but having access to my calendar on many different computers is more important to me.
kas23
macrumors 603
I've switched from Appigo Todo to NotifyMe 2. Todo was good, but c'mon, their app should've been iOS 4 ready by now. There are apps where developers can drag their feet and not update to iOS 4. A todo app is not one of them. And before anyone calls me cheap, this app was not $0.99. It was $9.99. Even if I had the option of buying an update for $9.99 from them, I would have bought it. It just seems like they are lazy. Instead, I went out and bought a $5.99 app that was made by developers who have their stuff together.
Hi,
I've had a look through the thread but I still can't find something to do everything I want (unless i'm missing something?)
Like a previous poster sorry to hijack this thread but was wondering if anyone could help me find a to-do list that will do the following:
- to-do list on iPhone 4
- Also on Windows
- Needs to be able to be edited by me and my husband
- Can sync easily between our 2 phones (happy to use the same account as we do for google calendar)
- Would be nice if I could enter tasks on the web
- Ability to set priorities and due dates
- Ability to categorise tasks
If anyone could point me in the right direction before I go off an spend a fortune on a variety of todo apps I would be grateful 😱
I've had a look through the thread but I still can't find something to do everything I want (unless i'm missing something?)
Like a previous poster sorry to hijack this thread but was wondering if anyone could help me find a to-do list that will do the following:
- to-do list on iPhone 4
- Also on Windows
- Needs to be able to be edited by me and my husband
- Can sync easily between our 2 phones (happy to use the same account as we do for google calendar)
- Would be nice if I could enter tasks on the web
- Ability to set priorities and due dates
- Ability to categorise tasks
If anyone could point me in the right direction before I go off an spend a fortune on a variety of todo apps I would be grateful 😱
m3coolpix
macrumors 6502a
I use this setup (but on MAC) and it gets very close.
-Pocket Informant on iPhone as the front end calendar/task program mainly used (I'm on a 3.1.2 3Gs right now using v1.42.03)
-ToodleDo Pro Account
-Google Calendar
-MobileMe
-BusySync (just to transfer calendar events from iCal to Google to PI and vice versa)
Anything (contact, calendar event) entered anywhere (web portal, on my iPhone, on my MacBook Pro) syncs across both my iPhone and on my MacBook Pro, EXCEPT task information. Tasks sync between the iPhone and ToodleDo account (which is really OK, as I use either the ToodleDo web portal or the Pocket Informant iPhone app).
iPhone 4, iOS 4, and Pocket Informant 1.5 (recently submitted to the app store) will add in some more functionality. PI also looks much better on the iPhone 4! In the works for PI, are native iCal sync'ing possibilities.
To replicate this in a Windows environment, you'd just drop BusySync, and use some type of Exchange functionality. You could also drop the MobileMe if you don't want contact sync'ing. I didn't buy MM just for this functionality. I bought it (family pack) for the 'Find my iPhone' feature, which allows remote wipe (as we have two iPhones on the AT&T account) for the security.
If I've not explained this correctly, which is highly likely (but at least it's doing what I want it to do!), just ask more questions.
nburwell
macrumors 603
I used Things for the longest time on my 3G/3GS. I then downloaded 2Do, and used that for it bit. However, I noticed the ToDo app was on sale a month or so back, so I decided to purchase that, and I have been using it ever since. I really like how it syncs with iCal. The UI is also great too.
kickpush
macrumors member
I use Aptigo's ToDo as well (it was on sale). Before I used things, while I like the desktop and iPad version, I have to agree with a previous poster in saying that these apps don't seem cohesive. I've tried a few others and Todo is probably the best one out of the bunch, but in no way perfect.
Omnifocus seems like overkill, although I'm sure it's a good app - I can't see myself forking over 19.99 for (another) todo application.
Omnifocus seems like overkill, although I'm sure it's a good app - I can't see myself forking over 19.99 for (another) todo application.
Is there such a thing as perfect todo app - maybe?
I think I must have bought and tried them all - am one of those people who are in constant search of that elusive todo app that fits my life.
Anyone else find that you spend way to much time organizing the organizer.
Do you run more than one app or just try and make the best with the one you have
Ominfocus - way to complex - 2 hour tutorials and then was still confused although I do see it's a powerful tool if you have the time
Things - simple - looked good but still had trouble just knowing what I needed to do when I needed to do it - again the tagging and flagging and arranging
awesome notes - looks great - and well looks great
How many more will I have to buy - yes I know all of them I guess
HELP!
I think I must have bought and tried them all - am one of those people who are in constant search of that elusive todo app that fits my life.
Anyone else find that you spend way to much time organizing the organizer.
Do you run more than one app or just try and make the best with the one you have
Ominfocus - way to complex - 2 hour tutorials and then was still confused although I do see it's a powerful tool if you have the time
Things - simple - looked good but still had trouble just knowing what I needed to do when I needed to do it - again the tagging and flagging and arranging
awesome notes - looks great - and well looks great
How many more will I have to buy - yes I know all of them I guess
HELP!
I've started using Taska and so far I really like it. You can find more info about it here: http://www.bitalpha.com/
Its only $5 and there is also Taska for iPad for $5 as well. They just put out an update to fix some bugs and reworked their icon a little bit. Although I don't know why they put out an edit to their icon and didn't optimize it for the retina display.
In their update notes they state that the next version will include retina display support and local push notifications and will be "available soon." It looks pretty good even without updated graphics, I can't wait to see everything nice and crisp. I hope it is soon, but I'm not how soon that will be.
Its only $5 and there is also Taska for iPad for $5 as well. They just put out an update to fix some bugs and reworked their icon a little bit. Although I don't know why they put out an edit to their icon and didn't optimize it for the retina display.
In their update notes they state that the next version will include retina display support and local push notifications and will be "available soon." It looks pretty good even without updated graphics, I can't wait to see everything nice and crisp. I hope it is soon, but I'm not how soon that will be.
Thanks for tip - well bought me another todo app - Taska - sad to say same old same old.
Claims of being intuitive and automatically organizing lists - am afraid not.
Still have to spend time shuffling things around - sort of the tapptiy tap syndrome.
As for aspiring to GTD - doesn't really follow their principles.
As for comparing with Things and Omnifocus not really in their league. However these tend to be desktop apps that have been shoehorned into the iphone.
My search continues - am sure there is the ultimate todo app out there somewhere, if I find it will let you know - unless, that is, you know differently🙂
Claims of being intuitive and automatically organizing lists - am afraid not.
Still have to spend time shuffling things around - sort of the tapptiy tap syndrome.
As for aspiring to GTD - doesn't really follow their principles.
As for comparing with Things and Omnifocus not really in their league. However these tend to be desktop apps that have been shoehorned into the iphone.
My search continues - am sure there is the ultimate todo app out there somewhere, if I find it will let you know - unless, that is, you know differently🙂
Sorry you still haven't found something that works. I have tried Things, Taska, ToDo, Awesome Note, and 2Do and so far Taska seems best for what I need. I don't need strict GTD, desktop syncing or any of the higher level GTD types of things. But I love having checklists and easy repeating tasks in Taska. If Things added both I would probably switch to that. But that is just me personally.
Never heard of Taskly. I found out about Taska when I was looking at eTodo. Its made by the same company.
Errands and Task Aware are 2 apps I've been using. Both do local notifications and Task Aware has proximity notifications.
Hey guys I just wanted to mention that if you purchased Things by Culture Code and you don't like it, you can get your money back. Just go to your account in iTunes, report a problem with the app and then ask for a refund.
I was getting incredibly annoyed with Things and the lack of "support" I received. I would write an email and they would get back to me with a few lines of text 2 or 3 days later. I've tried going on the forum and being very polite but the fanatic members on the forum were defending Culture Code to the point I gave-up. I sent Apple a request via iTunes and within a day or two I got a short email telling me that I would be refunded for the app. I got my money back. You get to keep the app but I would just delete it as it is total crap.
I was getting incredibly annoyed with Things and the lack of "support" I received. I would write an email and they would get back to me with a few lines of text 2 or 3 days later. I've tried going on the forum and being very polite but the fanatic members on the forum were defending Culture Code to the point I gave-up. I sent Apple a request via iTunes and within a day or two I got a short email telling me that I would be refunded for the app. I got my money back. You get to keep the app but I would just delete it as it is total crap.
