However, the functionality was quite basic. Outlook's interactivity with To Do was slightly more useful, since it didn't rely on the widespread adoption of another Microsoft solution.

More: Microsoft marches toward its 'One Outlook' rollout But, it's important to note because the likelihood of your colleagues already using a given platform determines the immediate usefulness of that platform to you. This is, of course, more a statement about the popularity of an entirely separate product. Simply put, I had no one to collaborate with. The first limitation came from the fact that no one I knew, at work or home, was actively using Planner. Unfortunately, I found both to be very limited. Microsoft integrated its Outlook email and Planner solution to help To Do gain access to communications and collaborations tools. It was one of the app features I found myself using the most during my testing. I found it to be a simple way to drop a shopping list onto my iPhone's home screen for short-term reference. The pair of Your Tasks widgets were made particularly useful due to having the ability to choose which list they draw their included tasks from. Your Tasks - A larger version that provides the same functionality but takes up essentially an entire iOS home screen page, allowing for the inclusion of a far larger list of tasks.Īll of the Widgets worked well, and provided exactly the kind of momentary, at-a-glance interactions you'd expect to be able to complete without having to open the app.

It also includes a '+' button for adding tasks. Your Tasks - a 4x2 Widget with a list of up to 3 ongoing tasks, all of which can be marked complete without having to open the app. Tapping it opens the app's My Day section, as you'd expect.Īdd Task - a 2x2 Widget that lists current tasks from the Tasks list, and provides a '+' button for adding new tasks. My Day - a 2x2 Widget that lists the tasks included on your My Day list within the app. Microsoft To Do's Widgets: Your Tasks - Large (top), Add Task (bottom left), and My Day (bottom right) Michael Gariffoįor iOS users that want access to their to-do lists at a glance, Microsoft provide a total of four Widgets: The initial setup might have been a bit rockier than I'd have liked, but the extra effort did eventually provide a solid scheduling tool that definitively improved my task management. I found the reminder and due date notifications in To Do to be reliable, useful, and easily managed. This is another issue that's far from a deal breaker, but one of several little hiccups that make using the app less pleasant than it otherwise would be. However, it just added an extra step for me when sticking to the traditional method of tapping a calendar date and flipping through numbers to choose the precise time and day I'd prefer. Some of you out there might appreciate the availability of these one-tap, somewhat imprecise settings when choosing your reminder times and due dates. Meanwhile, 'Add Due Date' brings up a similar list, with the exception of the last choice, which is Pick a Date, no specific time setting offered. Instead, tapping 'Remind Me' presents the following options: Later Today, Tomorrow, Next Week, or Pick a Date & Time. While I do appreciate that these can be set separately, allowing for pre-deadline reminders, I wish Microsoft would have just gone with a more standard method of immediately allowing you to input a date and time. The only sticking point in this process is setting reminders and due dates. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

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