Why I Switched Back to Todoist After Trying Apple Reminders
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Chapter 1: The Apple Ecosystem and My App Experience
When it comes to productivity apps, the cost of subscriptions can add up quickly. While Apple offers some excellent pre-installed applications on devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac—most notably Notes, which I consider the best note-taking app available—my experience with Reminders left me wanting more after getting accustomed to Todoist.
As I've mentioned before, I have a tendency to experiment with new applications, which can lead to unnecessary app-switching.
Section 1.1: Exploring New Options
With my Todoist subscription set to renew at the end of July, I decided to try a little experiment. I had been using Notes as my primary note-taking tool, exploring alternatives like Evernote, Bear, and Drafts. Convinced of its excellence, I thought Reminders would meet my needs as well.
While Reminders is a solid app, it lacks several features that make Todoist stand out.
Subsection 1.1.1: What Makes Todoist Exceptional
One key feature I find indispensable is NLP, or natural language processing. Although Reminders attempts to implement this, it falls short compared to Todoist. For example, if I want to set up a meeting at 10 AM, I simply type:
Meeting today 10am
And it seamlessly creates the task.
With Todoist, I can easily add tags by prefixing with "@" or assign tasks to specific projects using the "#" symbol.
Another feature I appreciate is the ability to schedule tasks to recur after completion. For instance, I have a cat, and I need to clean the litter box every two days. In Todoist, I can create a task that repeats every two days once I mark it as done:
Scoop litter box every! 2 days
This simplicity is a game-changer.
Section 1.2: The Importance of Cross-Platform Compatibility
Initially, I thought I could manage without cross-platform functionality since I always carry my phone. However, my work requires me to use a Windows laptop, which posed some challenges. Constantly reaching for my phone led to distractions—checking messages and emails disrupted my workflow. By using my laptop, I can focus better and quickly jot down thoughts in Todoist without being sidetracked.
Chapter 2: Siri Integration and Ease of Use
One area where Reminders excels is Siri integration. Since it’s an Apple product, I find it incredibly handy to add tasks using voice commands, especially while driving. While I've created a Shortcut for Todoist to achieve similar functionality, it requires additional setup, unlike the built-in option with Reminders.
Conclusion: The Verdict on Task Management Apps
In summary, while Apple Reminders is likely a suitable choice for many seeking a straightforward task manager, it didn’t fulfill my specific needs. Todoist's features continually draw me back, and I recognize the importance of sticking with what works for me rather than chasing after the latest trends.
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