Hi, and thank you for the excellent program. It sits in my dock on both my iphone and my iPad! I was wondering if there were any plans to make an iPad version of the program? Best, Dan
I started thinking about it yesterday, but before I tell you more about that I want y'all to tell me why you need an iPad version. I understand the clear need for iPhone version - iPhone is always with you and it's beneficial to have super-quick access to your Google tasks on the go.
iPad is a larger device and it's not always with you, so there is less urgency associated with it. Besides, it has a larger web browser so the need for custom UI is less pressing.
Now, clearly there is something I do not understand, so please take a few minutes to educate me:
I need your answers to make a decent app. Thanks!
1. UI! using the web version of google tasks is just slow, not pleasant. Isn't that the stigma of an iPad?
2. explained in 1
3. explained in 1
4. same as in iPhone
Ok, but you are not carrying your iPad with you as much as the iPhone, right? Or do you?
And if you always have your iPhone with you with a copy of GeeTasks in it, why not just use that? Is it because you don't want to reach into the pocket for the iPhone?
Please help me understand!
BTW, I love the artwork on your site.
I can't speak for Marlon but this is an issue for me. The phone is often in my pocket, I have my calendar and email syncing to both iPad and iPhone, often the iPad is where I go now when it's out. If I really have to have net access and I'm not near a hotspot (and don't want to spin mine up) I'll use the iPhone, but the iPad interface is larger and clearer for most of the apps that have been ported over. With OFfice(3) HD I'm even able to edit my Google Docs content on the iPad which is great since Google still blocks full Docs access to platform.
Hey, I just love GeeTasks. Having the same list on my desktop (via Gmail), on my iPhone and my iPad is incredibly handy. I'm actually very happy using the iPhone app on my iPad, in "2x" mode. The only downside (as with all iPhone apps on the iPad) is that "2x" makes the text a little fuzzy, but I love the simplicity and speed. I like being able to interact with my lists wherever I am, and I actually find myself putting the iPad to one side to keep my lists at hand while I plow through work on my desktop. It keeps me focused. I know I could find and open the Tasks window on my computer, but sometimes I have ten or twelve windows open, and just glancing at the iPad is way easier, and more fun, too. I have not figured out how to indent and un-indent items on my iPhone/iPad, but I'm sure there's a way. Thanks for a great program.
Replaying to my own message of a few minutes ago. For everyone who's showing off their iPads all the time, it would be nice to have an iPad version that showed sharp, clean text, even if you didn't do anything else to GeeTasks…
So it's basically a convenient side-display for you. Yeah, it makes sense to me. I haven't looked at actual iPad programming yet so there is no timeline - still gathering requirements for now.
As to indenting - enter "edit" mode (when grippies appear), press finger down and then slide it left or right. Make sure you have turned off the automatic sort (sort:none in the bottom left corner).
Not to beat this to death or anything, but you do seem interested in user feedback. Yes, GeeTasks on the iPad is a convenient side display for me while I am at my desktop… but it's also the easiest way for me to interact with my lists whether I'm there or out and about. It's usually better for that than the desktop because it's always there, not covered by a dozen other windows, and fun to use… and when I'm out and about, it's usually better than my iPhone because it's so much easier to type on, and I can see a lot more items with reasonably-sized text. But to have it available and synced on the desktop (via Gmail) is nice for copy-and-paste, and to have it available and synced on the iPhone is nice because I don't always have my iPad with me. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Thanks for a great product!
I appreciate as much feedback as you can give, guys. The iPad is the new thing and nobody knows yet how it will turn out. You guys are the pioneers of this new frontier and I need your perspective to piece it together.
There are several things I glean from your answer:
When you are at your big computer, iPad provides a frame for information that is spatially and visually removed from your main workflow. Thus if you need to glance at your tasks, you can turn away from your main work surface, look at/work with tasks and then turn back to your main work to find it exactly the way you left it. Since there was no disturbance to your main work surface it's easier for you to return into the "main work" state of mind.
iPad is more interactive because you don't use an intermediary device with it but rather your finger. For that reason you are more likely to use it.
You take your iPad with you more frequently than you take your laptop with you and since the screen and keyboard are bigger it's easier to use.
How did I do?
You're three-for-three here. You made me realize I have not taken my laptop anywhere since the day I got my iPad.
Hi!
Not having an ipad or immediate plans to buy one, I have a similar need; a better UI than Google original (or canvas). I would really love an app/gadget/web interface similar to canvas, but with better layout/usability! I love Geetasks, but cannot really come to terms with the Google interface…
/O
1) Better management of tasks and organization of the user interface
2) I don't, GeeTasks is of limited help to me currently and I use it more for reference than actual task management.
3) Accessing different tasks requiers back and forth, the emulated keyboard is as good on the iPad interface as it is for thumbing on the iPhone.
4) I can see it becoming the main point of task management, I see it becoming a hub for the management of my day.
I was hoping for functionally similar to mail and Twitterific but simplified when using GeeTasks pro on the iPad.
I see landscape mode showing the different lists in the left bar with the numeric display of closed/open where you can quickly switch between the lists with a single touch of the screen. The portrait view would have a selecto allowing almost as quick change. I can see this tool becoming the way I access Google Tasks.
I do not always have access to the Internet with my iPad, but I have it often enough. I dont want to constantly pull my iPhone out of my pocket or holster to pull up the list, when I'm working on a project or at the library I the iPad is on the desk with me.
Just my 2c.
I think you are making some VERY erroneous conclusions about the iPad and how it is used.
For me, my iPad is always with me. This whole notion of "urgency" is also eroneous. I have a poopload of tasks. Most aren't urgent, but they need to get done nonetheless and I need a way to remember them. I can either fiddle with my iPhone and the the tiny, minute keyboard and pidgin peck it out with two fingers — or I can use my iPad which had a full sized built in keyboard…. Which one do you think is easier and faster??
Regardless, when I am doing stuff I am at my desk and my iPad is right there, available and more accessible than my iPhone, easier to read and faster to use.
Really, it's obvious you yourself don't have an iPad. If you did then you could see in the iPad specific app store just how many competing "to do" apps there are for iPad… the most popular being the "universal" versions that have perfect resolution on both iPhone and iPad, unlike your app.
Chris, you probably didn't mean that but you do come across a little aggressive. Nevertheless, thanks for the explanation of your scenario.
Can you elaborate on a couple of questions? It seems that you carry your iPad instead of laptop, why is that?
Also, when working at your desk, conceivably you could just open web browser on the desktop/laptop and use that to see your tasks. Why don't you?
Understanding these questions is important to making the right design choices. Thanks.
Hi Denis. I came here on the search for a task list that will integrate with Google tasks for my iPad. I'm excited that you might be developing just such an app.
My planned use for the iPad is to keep with me at work as an organizational device, for note-taking in meetings, calendaring, and managing tasks. I also use the iPad at home mainly as an RSS reader away from my main computer (in the yard, on the couch) and I'll be taking it when I travel.
The reason I want an integrated tasks app: I already live in the Googleverse…I use their mail, calendar, and docs. In my perfect world, no matter what computer or device I'm using, if I want to add a task to my lists, I just access Google and add it there. If I'm out and just have my iPhone, I can quickly add a task. When I look on my iPad, it's part of the list when I bring up my tasks app. As you can see, Google's own task list interface is pretty ugly, so a separate app that works seamlessly with it would be fantastic.
An app like this should look good (I've started using the "Sorted" app and it's very nice looking, but no integration). It should allow me to add not just due dates but due times for tasks. Reminders would be great, reminders with "snooze" would be extra great. Priorities (customizable! "Urgent", "When I get time" etc). The ability to check off completed tasks. Multiple lists (home, work, freelance, etc).
I would pay up to around $5 for an app like this. Maybe more if it has more features. Thanks for your work on this, if you decide to build it! I'll keep an eye out for your next project.
Excellent write-up, Sonya, thanks a lot. I can totally relate to Googleverse thing.
The conclusion to me from your post is this:
The iPad is as much a computer to you as your other computer (desktop/laptop). By contrast iPhone is not a real computer, but rather a sidekick - handy when you don't have a choice, but never the preference when you do have a choice. Since iPad is a real work-horse for you, you want to have the real high-productivity apps on it, and Google's web site fails to provide large-screen touch experience.
Is this about accurate?
And to address your other points:
Reminders are coming to GeeTasks with iPhone OS 4.0 - this summer to iPhone users and this autumn to iPad users. It will be fantastic, and yes it will include "due time" in addition to "due date".
The price is likely to be higher than $5, but I'm not sure yet. I'm going to tweak pricing a bit in coming weeks, so it's all up in the air.
BTW, what RSS reader do you use on the iPad? My favorite Reeder does not support iPad yet. :-(
Hi,
for me, NetNewsWire ist the most promising RSS reader with Google integration so far. Does support starred-sync, but not the tags. This in fact is my killer App for the iPad and for the smartphone: perfect sync of RSS reading and marking articles with stars.
I use the iPad for the nice parts of my digital living, and the laptop/desktop more and more only for the work part (except high-end tasks eg. gaming and working with RAW photos). So the iPad becomes my primary computer in more and more situations: First e-mail-check in the morning, browsing RSS feeds and starring important ones for later work, checking Twitter and Facebook… Doing this in the evening after work…
So among browsing mails, calendar, forums, Twitter etc it would only be natural to also browse my task list. And because having calendar and task list in google (my phone is an Android), I'd need a google-synced task list app :-) pleaaaaase :-)
Greetings, Joerg
I use the iPhone version nights/weekends/on the go. I am trying to use my iPad to repalce almost all of my desktop/computer time as well as get rid of paper notebooks. I create a task folder for each person I manage, and use it to keep a running list of things we need to review in our regular meetings. Having that handy and accessible in a larger format without scrolling would stop my from printing it out and/or having the laptop in the way during meetings. I actually will carry the ipad around the office much more often than my phone — too many distractions with the phone.
Oh, this is interesting.
Do you want several lists worth of tasks on the screen at the same time? Do you want the lists side-by-side? Or how about one mega-list merged form several lists, with color-coding of which task came from which list?
How big are the lists? Do they typically fit on one page when you print them? How do you layout them - one column, two columns? It would be super of you could email me a scan of such page so that I have a better idea?
I would like the iPad simply for convenience. I use it a lot at home, and when I need to add something to a list it would often be preferable to add it on the ipad than whip out my phone. Checking tasks this way would be nice as well.
It is sort of the same with my mail and RSS feeder syncing. I generally use the ipad when I am at home, and the phone whem I am away … and it is incredibly nice to have your state updated on both.
I haven't had time to read this thread in detail, so I apologize in advance if I'm not saying anything new.
First, Geetasks is excellent on the iphone, with the limited screen space available, I think it does everything that it could. However, a well designed iPad app can be so much more…
So:
No worries, I'm reading everything and I'm thankful for your input :)
The key takeaways for me from your post:
Did I get it right?
Another big issue is that some iPad owners don't have iPhones (loyal Blackberry user), & also need the ability to sync up to Google Apps. Buying all those small apps for such a big screen is sad. I'm a professor, and am using my iPad more and more, especially when away from my desk, in the classroom, and in meetings. Can't wait to take is traveling. Mostly looking for more space to do some task planning, not just the title. Otherwise, thats for this app, it is something to start with. Cheers!
I'm in the same boat. I'm about the switch from a Windows Mobile phone to an Android phone, so I think it's important to question the foregone conclusion that iPad owners are necessarily iPhone owners. I personally don't need additional features over and above the iPhone version. I'd just like the interface to fit the iPad's dimensions without rescaling.
I agree with this line of thinking but specifically on an ipad, I want a left area that has my lists of when in landscape with the separate window of the lists in portrait would be great. Editing task notes on an ipad would be awesome!
Further, if you could email tasks directly from the interface instead of copying and pasting the notes would help. I would pay you again for the app just for this functionality.
I have looked at hundreds of apps to augment my work flow. Your is the great.
Mitchell, have you seen "canvas" view of google tasks?
https://mail.google.com/tasks/canvas (you need to see this on the desktop)
Is this similar to what you want on iPad?
Also, when you speak of emailing tasks, do you mean email one task at a time or email a list of tasks? And what do you expect the recipient to do with them? For example, they could keep tasks as is in the email, or they could try to import it into Google Tasks / GeeTasks. And then, will the email it back to you when they are done?
I have seen the canvas view. However I don't like the design if it as it makes the notes on the right to far over on the browser window. The duferent lists a squeezed too far left. This is why a good implementation gee tasks with that in a column in landscape and a popup list when on portraint, as seem to be the design with these apps. I use the Lists as projects. See the notes are important to me as I can detail the specifics of a project, and delegate it by email right from the app, SMS would be great too. I am not so much interest in their ability to pull into their task list, but it would probably push your product to be a round trip solution.
Thanks.
I don't and will never have an iPhone, but have found that GeeTasks is the best program to interact with Google tasks on my iPad. I don't always have internet access, but have it at regular intervals during the day and the ability to manage tasks offline is what I was needing. My company blocks gmail so I am not able to see my tasks on my work desktop and my cell phone signal depends on my location in the building so the mobile version of google tasks doesn't cut it at work. I need the ability to see my tasks at work (via iPad or non-iphone smartphone) and at home (via Laptop and desktop) and on the go (via non-iphone smartphone). The iPhone app works well, but with the capabilities of the ipad, it seems like a lot of functionality is left on the table. At a minimum using the higher resolution on the ipad would make the text easier to read and would allow for more tasks to be shown on the same screen. In landscape mode, the canvas layout would be perfect! In fact with the resolution of the ipad screen you could have the same layout in portrait mode, but making the layout a task list with a pop out similar to the way email is done would probably work better for people who like to put long descriptions on their tasks. The beauty of your product is the similarity to google's actual interface, there is more synergy when you look at your tasks via different devices. Since buying my iPad, my laptop has become a second desktop… I liken the ipad to taking only the screen with you, prefect for entertainment, reference, sorting, and organization, but everything else is still more efficient using a bigger screen, physical keyboard with a 10 key, and (gasp) a mouse…
Let me just add that Mitchell has it dead on. I use google tasks for productivity and have all my stuff in there that needs to get done, but you could use the interface so much better if it had a nice landscape view with list on the left, tasks in the middle, and notes on the right…
Oh to easily add and access the gmail that is attached to the tasks would be AMAZING. I too would pay again and more if the app did all this stuff. It would really become my hub! I've toyed with the idea of paying to have it developed myself. I think more and more people are going to be using google tasks and more and more will need this.
Anyway, I would LOVE to see an iPhone version. I hate the pixelated big version I have now… :(
Ooh I want to answer this. I work on a lot of projects away from my desk and so take the iPad with me when shopping for these projects or actually doing the tasks. Yes I do like your iPhone version but it is fuzzy on the iPad. That being said I am buying it in just a minute.
So you would be happy with simply smoother text rendering? Is there something else you expect to get from the larger screen?
I don't know, maybe something like the canvas view https://mail.google.com/tasks/canvas or maybe two task lists side-by-side?
That looks interesting, but I couldn't find similar functionality in Google Apps, since all of my tasks are in a hosted Apps site that's why I jumped on the Pro version of GeeTasks.
Try this:
http://mail.google.com/tasks/a/MYDOMAIN.COM/canvas
replace MYDOMAIN.COM With you apps domain.
It does look nice but isn't as smooth as your application. I find I'm always having to re-size the screen and it only works when I'm networked (which doesn't work in many of the buildings where I work and we're a bit behind the times when it comes to wireless).
I also travel quite a bit and find myself on the road without data signal so having a local caching app is what I really love about GeeTasksPro.
GeeTasks for iPhone is using the same general layout that Google Tasks Web Site for iPhone is using, so the reason I brought up CANVAS view is that the most natural thing for me to do on iPad would be to implement something similar to CANVAS view, but with all the added goodies of GeeTasks (offline work, accurate sizing, and more responsive interface). My question is then if it's what you had in mind and if it will be sufficient for your needs, or whether you wanted something entirely different.
Yes, the canvas look and feel would do well for GTP, especially if you let us have some control over the font size ;). It would solve the caching problem and not hang every time there is a network issue.
Have you though about doing it like mail? With the lists on the left if in landscape but displayed like you have it in the iPhone when in portrait mode?
I'm one of your users who will be happy to pay for a GTP HD version, you deserve to be paid for your work.
-Sean
Ok, thanks.
In case you didn't know, you can already control font size by pitching the screen horizontally (vertical pitch changes cell size).
I am speaking from a person who doesn't own an iphone and this seems to be the only app that does Google Task but I don't want to pay for an iphone based UI for my iPad.
FYI, I DO carry my Ipad with me everywhere; It's my laptop replacement. It would really be nice to access Google Tasks on the go.
So that's what I see my needs as.
I think the picture is coming together now in my head, thanks to feedback from folks like you. But keep it coming.
Another vote for an iPad version.
I tend to record tasks when I am in meetings and taking notes or when I am working things out in my note book. Since getting my iPad, all these notes are going down on the iPad but I am still using my iPod to record the tasks in GeeTasks. The iPad gives me a second screen wherever I am working
Would love to be able to take notes on my iPad and tag lines there to transfer into GeeTasks, in the same way that Onenote does with Outlook..
For me I want SSL + cloud access for tasks from work laptop, home laptop, iPad, iPod, Symbian phone, or Blackberry. (too many devices) GeeTasks is a lifesaver but I absolutely need a nice interface on my iPad because this is now my primary "thinking" space.
By the way - GeeTasks is just superb.
Here's .02 that you guys can take however you'd like.
I would pay $5 for an iPad app that does google tasks for custom domain accounts well. Currently Google is failing miserably with iPad integration and the market is wide open for 3rd party apps.
Conversely, I am no longer spending any money for apps that aren't optimized for iPad at least in a "universal app" flavor. Apps that have to be run at 2x aren't worth the money.
Help me (and take my $)!
Well, the good boys at Google are probably hard at work making iPad version of the website work. It would suck for me to have done a lot of work only to have them come out and make it unneeded.
In other word I have to come up with something they are not likely to come up with themselves, so that even after they are done adopting iPad I can still sell my software. That's a bit harder than simply making it work on the large screen. :-)
Google's best intentions don't always play out for us consumers. Since Google has been blocked from creating a Google Voice app they did an HTML5 version, which works great when you're on the network. Unfortunately there are times I need to look up a contact but can't because I don't have signal. Since Google doesn't make my contacts available as LDAP and I already have one Exchange service I have no access to my personal contact list.
Luckily for me Apple is going to allow me to have multiple exchange sources in the next version, that will address at least one of my caching woes :)
Yep, I'm using the multiple exchange accounts right now and it's awesome. Hang in there, multiple accounts are only two weeks away from you.
For what it's worth, I, too, am looking for an iPad version of the app — something that would let me jot down ideas as they occur to me, quickly, on whatever device happens to be handy at that moment. There are lots of todo-list apps already available, but I find most of them too fussy, requiring too many keystrokes to enter a task and showing a screen cluttered with priorities, tags, due dates, etc. GeeTasks is nicely streamlined. My only complaint is that I wish, instead of having a + button, it simply presented a blank field into which you could begin typing immediately, like the app MyToDo. In fact, I'd probably use MyToDo instead if it could sync with other devices.
So, to answer your questions:
1. The iPad version would allow use of the full keyboard and would allow me to see more tasks at once. Unlike others here, I don't really need multiple panes; I just want to be able to enter a task quickly and easily, and secondarily, to see as many tasks as possible without having to scroll.
2. I run the iPhone version of GeeTasks and check the app store regularly to see what new todo apps become available. The first to offer both fast task entry and sync'ing will be the one I adopt.
3. It's inefficient. A todo program should, to my mind, be easier to use than paper — I should be able to jot things down quickly without having to think too much about it. Life is too complicated already.
4. I'd flip to it whenever I wanted to enter an idea.
George
Thanks George, I noted your answers.
I thought GeeTasks currently is almost exactly "simply presented a blank field into which you could begin typing immediately", at least that was my intent. You don't have to tap the + icon, you can tap anywhere in that area and start typing, so it's one tap away required to raise the keyboard. How would you like this to be different? Do you want the keyboard raised immediately after you launched the app? It can do that too: when creating a task tap "enter" instead of done and the keyboard will not be dismissed - you can enter new tasks. Now exit the app, and launch it again - they keyboard is up and ready to take input. You can repeat this as many times you'd like. The app remembers where you left off and presents the same place when you relaunch it. Please help me understand how this is different from what you envision.
Hi Denis, I see your point. I notice now that I can type anywhere in that field to enter a task. Sorry to misrepresent.
I went back to GeeTasks and MyToDo to make a more careful comparison, and I find that MyToDo requires fewer keystrokes to begin or end editing a task (1 vs. 2), reordering a list (1 vs. 3), editing a list name (1 vs. 3), and changing to a different list (1 [on average] vs. 2 [fixed]). I also appreciate that MyToDo has only one menubar (at top), rather than two (top and bottom), and a nicer font. Set against this, GeeTasks offers hierarchical tasks and sync'ing. So I think each can learn from the other.
To me, the ease of list-ordering is the most important of MyToDo's advantages. Might I suggest putting drag handles on the tasks screen, so that you can move tasks around without having to hit the Edit button first? Or at least make this an option; I can see that some people might not want it, because it consumes screen real estate and presents the risk of accidentally reordering items.
It occurs to me that a great iPad function would be to show multiple lists side-by-side. But right now I'd be happy just to have a simple, direct adaptation, allowing use of the full screen and keyboard.
George
I notice now that I can type anywhere in that field to enter a task. My hope was to use the + sign to lure you into clicking for the first time and rely on you missing it a few times to discover that the entire field is clickable. I guess it didn't work as well as I thought it would. :-) You see why the + sign is there - absent an icon I feel many people wouldn't find the functionality at all.
You can get rid of the bottom toolbar by rotating the phone upside down. It used to be the default but far too many people complained about that so now the toolbar is fixed at the bottom. You can also increase the information density by using horizontal/vertical pinch/zoom gestures to change font size and cell size.
I looked at MyToDo. It's an interesting concept, certainly the most paper-like of all that I've seen. It breaks all the usual iPhone conventions though, so it can easily confuse many people. I know it's not you, but I have plenty of experience supporting confused users. In GeeTasks I was striving for balance between similarity with Google web site and similarity to iPhone conventions as to minimize the amount of learning a new user has to do.
If I made tasks draggable by default I would also have to make them indentable by default - the two go hand in hand. And if I did that people would be very surprised when they "slide to delete" and instead the task moves left or right. That would be very confusing, no? And then there would be no easy way to delete a task either - something many people insist on.
I do plan to make tasks easier to edit inline, but this has gotten very low volume of requests, so it's on the backburner for now.
I generally try to avoid options and settings as it's far too easy to have too many of them and as a result majority of people will end up using none at all. I do however plan for a "productivity pack" - a single switch that would tilt the balance away from ease of learning towards high-speed productivity. So far I think it would include search, tags, cross-list view, and collapsible subtasks. Maybe there's room for special "paper-like" mode as well. I'll keep it in mind.
Thanks for your thoughtful response. Again, I should say that overall I think you've done a great job, and my main interest is simply a full-screen iPad version of what you already have.
"You can get rid of the bottom toolbar by rotating the phone upside down." I tried this and it didn't work fully. The toolbar is half-on, half-off the screen. See screen shot at http://i44.tinypic.com/2pte34y.jpg
George
Just to put in a vote, that an ipad version would be great (and happy to pay money for):
really, the feature list is quite small:
1) smoother text then the upscaled iphone app
2) canvas
Just to put in my two cents worth, I would like to see an iPad version of GeeTasks mainly so that I can have access to my todo list when I'm not online. True, I don't carry around my iPad as much as my iPhone, but when I do carry it around I would like to be able to use e larger screen to enter text more easily. Being able to see the different lists on the left side of the screen would be great, as in canvas mode.
Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I will be taking it into account.
