Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
Calendar/Scheduling
I mentioned back in Part 1 of this series that more than 30 percent of my daily work routine involves browsing the Internet and using the email app. But I also mentioned that another key component of my work day involves a bit of tinkering with my calendar–tracking assignment dates, checking friends’ and family members’ birthdays and anniversaries, and basically keeping life’s little events as organized as possible. To do all that, I rely on a calendar.
The iPad comes with a nice and simple desktop calendar, as seen in Figure 7. And I dislike it very much. But let me explain.
)
Figure 7 The iPad’s built-in Calendar app
The iPad’s Calendar app probably reminds you of the physical ledger-type calendar that businesspeople often use. It shows the day’s scheduled activities along with an hourly breakdown. When adding an event, I can even specify an alert that will pop up a small message on the iPad’s screen, even when it’s turned off. I can view my schedule in Day, Week, or Monthly view along with a listing of all upcoming appointments and tasks. Sounds great, huh? So why am I so unimpressed? Probably because I’ve become so used to using Google Calendar (see Figure 8).
)
Figure 8 Google Calendar as viewed in Safari
Google Calendar, a free web-based application, allows me to receive text reminders (on my mobile phone), and email alerts can be configured with any advance notice I desire, from one minute to weeks or months. Entering an event is as easy as simply touching the date and typing in the time and event (see Figure 9). I can create multiple calendars (work, home, football games, etc.) that display in different colors and can be hidden when desired. And because Google Calendar is web-based, I can access it not only from my iPad but also my mobile phone, my desktop PC… basically any device with Internet access. I can’t do that with my iPad’s calendar and am thus forced to keep the iPad with me at all times if I wish to access my schedule there. No thanks.
)
Figure 9 Google Calendar event entry