We humans lean towards lazy and typically choose the path of least resistance when possible (call it "friction-free" if that makes you feel better). That process must be as easy as possible, or I'll resist doing it. When I'm tasked with making a time-sensitive appointment, I record it on a calendar. First, it's a catcher's mitt, and second it's a billboard. But how does it work?Ī calendar has two main functions. Putting it simply, Fantastical looks great. It's all presented in a handy rectangular UI that appears from an unobtrusive menu bar item when you need it, and retreats when you're done. A half-interested "parent" wouldn't make the shadows in the event list just subtle enough to be noticeable but not overbearing. It's clear that Fantastical was built - nay, birthed - by a team that loves it. Do the same in the event list and a color-coded "squiggle" appears on the corresponding calendar date above. Mouse over a date and a tidy, Post-It style pop-up reveals that day's contents. Pencil-sketch circles, color-coded to match the corresponding iCal calendar, encircle the current date. Two "staples" hold the top of the calendar in place. When adding a new event, your plain-English description glides into place as you type. There are so many UI niceties here, I'll run through them.
#Fantastical calendar reviews mac#
Call it the Angelina Jolie of Mac calendar apps (or Brad Pitt, depending on your proclivities). An app's function is ultimately more important, but any app that's useful and beautiful is that much more appealing. Whoever said, "Looks don't matter" truly didn't love software.
Then, on Thursday, we'll do a head-to-head shootout between Fantastical and Today.
Note: tomorrow I'll post a review of a competing product, Today by Second Gear Software. It looks great, works well and is definitely worth your time. Fantastical supports incredibly rapid and natural full-text entry for appointments, making it easier than ever to get your events where you need them. This handy app lives in your menu bar, providing quick access to your many appointments across calendars (including iCal or Outlook 2011). There is room for improvement, however, and Fantastical takes a huge step in the right direction.
#Fantastical calendar reviews mac os#
iCal is the Mac OS default today, and it works well. Calendaring on the Mac has come a long way since I was using Palm Desktop on a 333 MHz iMac.