It has been just 72 hours since i started using this app and i am finding my iPhone even more useful. The newest calendar app (which is freely available for iOS) Cal, by Any.Do is the easiest to use calendar application and sporting a ultra clean user interface. The app does the job of organising your day perfectly by using your contacts and location end even syncs with your primary calendar apps like Google Calendar, iCloud and Exchange.
I assume you must be already using the Any.do app on your iPhone, if not, i suggest you to do so. Reminders on iPhone is uber cool but if you want to use Cal for maximum productivity, you should already be using (or at least having) the Any.do application. The reason is, Cal is tightly integrated with the Any.do app. When you tap the plus button in the cal it gives you two options, either Calendar Event or a To do thing. Tapping to-do thing will take you to the Any.do app.
For getting started Cal requires access to your calendar events and your contacts. Without granting permission to both these you cannot proceed further. I think this is the only matter of concern.
Once the permission is granted, the app will take some time syncing your events from your previous calendars to its own. You will be then greeted with a ultra clean UI with a beautiful picture in the back drop of the main interface which can be tweaked to your interests. (i.e Fashion, Photography, Designs etc.)
Tap the plus button to add an event. Now here comes the integration of simplicity with ‘uber-ness’. As you type the event, the app will try to guess it prior. For example, if you type Lunch with Someone, as it has access to your contacts, it will list the ‘someone’ with all its details or will provide you the list of ‘someones’ to choose the right someone. Then, it will even suggest you the venue for your lunch nearby. I was quite surprised when it suggested my favourite restaurant for lunch nearby. The suggestions are not limited to restaurants but also extend to bars and coffee. The social integration lets you send messages on birthdays and anniversaries right from the app itself. You are also able to send messages to the participants of an event right from the app.
Your events for the day will appear below a monthly calendar but when you swipe up, the month view will turn into weekly view. Also, your agenda includes the time gaps between your appointments. This helped me planning my day more easily and effectively.
Another high point of using the app is its syncing to other calendars (i.e. Google Calendars, iCloud and Exchange) so you don’t have to re-add events.
Overall the app is promising, and its going to stay in my phone for longer. I believe in due coarse of time it will improve further and will add features like determining addressees automatically from the contacts itself. But for now there is not any reason not to use it.
Any.do is a company which has plans for making four productivity applications in which Any.do, and Cal- calendar app are the two. Another two apps, Mail and Note taking apps are anticipated.
Cal (Free) | iTunes App Store