Mobile GTD'ers - What mobile device is your list manager on?

[GTDerEvan]

This is a poll of sorts, but I'm sure there are so many, I'm not going to make a poll. What do you use? Palm Pre? iPhone? Blackberry Curve? iPod Touch? Motorola Razr? Nokia N71?

Thanks!

Alright, going to edit the first post occasionally to tally the results (up to post 31):

10 x Palm:
4 x Treo
2 x Centro
2 x TX
1 x Pre
1 x Z22

10 x Apple:
10 x iPhone (Nozbe ; rQall ; Omnifocus x 3, Things x 4)

4 x Blackberry:
2 x 8300 Curve
1 x 8820
1 x Storm

2 x HTC:
1 x S730
1 x S640

1 x iPaq:
1 x 4150

[tpassist]

Palm Treo (Windows Mobile 6), synced with Outlook which is actually just a conduit, as my lists are actually maintained in a mind map, the Palm is for next actions that I do away from my workstation.

[mickmel]

iPhone, with the free Nozbe app. Works great!

[GTDWorks]

BlackBerry Curve 8300

[nick_ross]

I have recently dug out my old iPaq 4150 and am using MyLifeOrganized on it as a list manager.

The good thing about the 4150 is it's light, small, and easy to use - all I need to do now is find the stylus (cue Next Action).

MLO on windows mobile is a great solution - and synchronising with the desktop is invaluable.


All I need now is MLO for the iPhone....

[BluesJack]

I currently use a BlackBerry 8820. I am in the process of integrating REXwireless software (To-DoMatrix) with my newfound GTD processes. I read in one of the web pages here that REXwireless has a free paper on using GTD with their software. Needless to say, thats my next stop after my visit to this site. I appreciate all your replies and means found for mobile devices and GTD.

Kindly yours,
BluesJack

[Oogiem]

What do you use?

Currently Palm Treo 755p, considering switching to Palm Pre, iPhone or Google phone when my contract is up this fall.

[linuxgeek99]

My system is Palm TX with ShadowPlan for Palm OS (outliner)

ShadowPlan holds my project lists, next actions, Someday Maybes, Single Tasks, Recurring tasks and my agendas.

Datebook 6 for my Calendar (hard landscape).

Shadowplan syncs to the desktop.
Datebook syncs to OutLook and Pimlical (Datebook Desktop Calendar)

The whole system is called JoesWorld :)

Linuxgeek99

Joe Welsh

[dbirnbaum]

I'm using a BlackBerry Storm with the Rex todomatrix and desk top programs. ToDo matrix is great and navigating it with the touch screen is pretty fast. The touch screen keyboard takes some getting used to but my speed and accuracy have improved with using it.

Dan

[Stiernholm]

I use a HTC s730 phone, and sync it with Outlook. It works fairly well, though the to-do-list function could be improved since I cannot sort the tasks within a context other than in alphabetical order. To be constantly in sync with my Outlook is great though.

David

[baudecea]

iPhone. I use rQall, a fantastic free app to capture ideas. I create to-do lists by speaking into the phone. Like magic, they appear in my emai inbox.

I think you can download the app for the Blackberry, but can't comment on how it works.

[JohnsKim]

I use a Mac and iPhone with the very robust (and expensive)
OmniFocus software and app. I end up doing more reviews than once a week
because it's so cool and convenient!

[Tech]

Palm Z22 syncing with Outlook 2003 (with tweaks according to DA) at office and Palm Desktop at home. Simple, basic and never fails - a trusted device... :D

Tech

[tominperu]

The Palm Centro with Chapura Keysuite as well as Palm apps. Works very well.

[GTDerEvan]

Keep em coming guys, I'm updating first post to keep tallies.

[notmuch]

Centro > Outlook

I'll likely keep it until the Centro dies.

[AndyD]

I using a HTC TyTn II (re-badged as Vodafone V1615) running Windows Mobile 6.1.

Using the inbuilt Tasks and Calendar apps, synced to Outlook 2003 on my desktop PC.

Not found any need yet to run 3rd party PIM apps, want to keep it as quick and as simple as possible.

Got the usual @contexts setup in tasks and can quickly view them with a single key press.

Also use an 8gb MicroSD in it, that with a mini USB card reader easily fits into any PC for syncing/transferring captured notes and files etc.

Created lots of shortcuts for quick capture and viewing action lists.

Key apps for me are:

Claunch 12.04 - create custom shortcut on the Today Screen. I've several groups of shortcuts such as capture, action lists/review, email/internet.

TodayAgenda - show upcoming calendar and tasks on the Today Screen. This free software alone has meant I've not had to purchase any third party PIM software - highly recommended.

AE Button Plus - brilliant for remapping keys for shortcuts etc. Map the same key with short press, long press, double press even triple press! This way a single key can open task list, open Word document "Inbox.doc" for quick capture, create a new next action or a new text message etc.

Word Mobile (built in) I've a word document called Inbox.doc that is great for quick capture; it's mapped to a single key and is stored on the memory card. Opens in a second, capture the idea/task, close and it's captured. On the desktop a similar shortcut opens it from the memory card too for processing etc.

Excel Mobile (built in) - spreadsheet setup to track spending and bills etc to tally later with accounts via online banking.

Think that's about it!

Cheers,

Andy D.

[anton]

Treo Pro with Windows Mobile 6.1.

[EMarkM]

iPhone & Mac "Things" (but keep thinking about OmniFocus...)

[Julie_Flagg]

Treos and am thinking of going to palm pre if I can work the GTD addin

[rubycoupe]

I try to keep it simple --- on my iPhone 3G, I just use Things by CulturedCode. It syncs quickly over wi-fi, is very flexible and I think the clean, uncluttered interface is what has made it my one and only list manager.

[goldencrisp87]

iPhone with Things, as well

[culturewarrior]

iPhone 3G (v3.0), syncing to Exchange 2007 using Outlook 2007 (love the new plug-in) using iMExchange to glue to all together.

[artamuso]

Palm Pre, using Remember the Milk and Google Calendar

Art

[ScottL]

I try to keep it simple --- on my iPhone 3G, I just use Things by CulturedCode. It syncs quickly over wi-fi, is very flexible and I think the clean, uncluttered interface is what has made it my one and only list manager.

Agreed iphone 3G and Things--I LOVE Things. Very simple and easy to use. Also, I can view next actions by context, or see all the next actions by project ( I do tend to write down all or most of the next actions for many projects). I do one extra thing though: even though my iphone is always with me, most nights I print out the next action list and highlight the ones I'd like to do the next day and bring the printout with me to work.

[petdr]

My core list manager is my Treo 755p with third party apps using the native database (so I don't have to worry about losing information if I change apps). Apps include DateBk6, MemoLeaf, and Essential PIM (EPIM). EPIM is portable in USB so can be used to access all Palm database on any computer. The added bonus with EPIM is ability to link (attach) files to the list or memos, i.e. support materials, references. The new version does emails also so able to integrate gmail and google calendar into my system.

All sync reliably with Palm Desktop.

Used to use Life Balance but was not at my home PC much so couldn't access the desktop outline to look at the big picture as I can with EPIM.

[markrich2200]

I use Omnifocus on iPhone and on my Mac desktop

[max15]

BlackBerry Curve 8300! It works great and i like it!

[Karole]

I use an HTC S640 and Windows Mobile. The HTC is awful (but I'm stuck in a contract) and Windows mobile is useless as a list manager. I'm toying with the idea of getting an iTouch and using Toodledo for GTD.
Anyone know if Toodledo works with the GTD addin?
On my desktop I use Outlook 2007 with the new GTD add-in which is wonderfu. I print my Next Actions at the beginning of the week and carry them with me or have them close at hand for reviewing on a regular basis. Most days I create an action list for the day to help me refocus when I encounter interruptions or I get distracted.

[Pablo]

I use Outlook on my desktop & Beyond Contacts (Outlook clone) on my Palm TX. I've tried many Internet, stand-alone & paper based GTD systems but I'm most comfortable with a portable system that hangs on my belt. I use a moleskin type notebook as my capture device & at the end of the day I copy the information into my desktop & then sync it to my Palm device.

Pablo

[mmurray]

I use a Mac and iPhone with the very robust (and expensive)
OmniFocus software and app. I end up doing more reviews than once a week
because it's so cool and convenient!

Ditto and ditto :-)

Michael

[Mischka]

Blackberry 9630 (Tour) with ToDoMatrix.

[Philb]

I have recently dug out my old iPaq 4150 and am using MyLifeOrganized on it as a list manager.

The good thing about the 4150 is it's light, small, and easy to use - all I need to do now is find the stylus (cue Next Action).

MLO on windows mobile is a great solution - and synchronising with the desktop is invaluable.


All I need now is MLO for the iPhone....

Also using MLO Windows Mobile version on the Ipaq 210. Love the big screen. It syncs back to the MLO Desktop in Windows. Great software.

[matsuru]

Also using MLO Windows Mobile version on the Ipaq 210. Love the big screen. It syncs back to the MLO Desktop in Windows. Great software.

Hey Philb! I am also using ipaq 210 as my main gtd tool. coupled with sony erricson P990i + outlook.:D

[EMarkM]

iPhone & Mac "Things" (but keep thinking about OmniFocus...)



And...today I bought OF! Just the iPhone app, though: not shelled out for the desktop app yet. Spent this morning manually moving everything over, and am very happy so far.

Just got sick of Cultured Code's attitude to product-improvement and their customers in the end.

[JGammon]

Blackberry 8830 and Outlook

[peakaytea]

Palm TX. Considering moving to a blackberry.

[Pablo]

Palm TX. Considering moving to a blackberry.

Peakaytea,

Currently using the Palm TX & Blackberry 8703e. I find that GTD is easier to use on the Palm than the BB. Only drawback is that I'm having to carry two devices.
Thinking about the Palm Pre if it will handle some of the old software that I have. Smartlist, Brainforest, Beyond Contacts & Traxitall.

Pablo

[Gameboy70]

After 3 years of using some variation of Palm OS smartphone and Palm Desktop, I've switched over to using the Treo Pro (Windows Mobile) and Celio Redfly for mobile calendar and list management, and Outlook on the desktop at work. I always do my weekly reviews off site to avoid getting sucked into the busy trap at work, so using the Redfly as an external screen and keyboard for the Treo allows me to avoid one more layer of synchronization issues, and I can choose any venue without having to worry about power outlets or wireless connections.

Moving to POS to WM wasn't easy, especially due to complications with ActiveSync. But with no further POS products in the pipeline, WM at least offers a wider array of smartphone form factors and specs to choose from. I tried to Palm Pre for a week and quickly realized it wasn't for me. I prefer the efficiency of front-facing keyboards to sliders, and the lack of categorized tasks was unacceptible. Synergy in its current state isn't anywhere near a robust as local syncing alternatives.

For basic PIM, I'm just using the built-in apps: Tasks, Calendar and Notes. But I'm considering adding Checklist Pro and Pocket Mindmap to augment my project planning.

[Flyer]

Mine is just paper... but then, my life isn´t very mobile.

I guess that the fact that I carry my excel file with the lists in a USB stick, so that I can access them from any computer, also counts as a part of a mobile solution.

I print out relevant lists when I go and capture new stuff on that sheet of paper, to be updated when I get to the computer again.

Simple, low tech, but enough for my needs.

[Barb]

Mine is just paper... but then, my life isn´t very mobile.

I guess that the fact that I carry my excel file with the lists in a USB stick, so that I can access them from any computer, also counts as a part of a mobile solution.

I print out relevant lists when I go and capture new stuff on that sheet of paper, to be updated when I get to the computer again.

Simple, low tech, but enough for my needs.

I gave up on all the Palm/Smart phone stuff. If I need my lists to be portable on a given day, I just print them out. I spent too much time futzing around with the portable list idea. For me, the payoff wasn't worth the trouble.

[Mardo]

Love my iphone for contacts appts etc but lists are circa. a small leather flip
3x5 circa punched levenger pad makes it easy to keep must have mobile lists and new items added and then placed in the reg sized circa binder.

[Barb]

Love my iphone for contacts appts etc but lists are circa. a small leather flip
3x5 circa punched levenger pad makes it easy to keep must have mobile lists and new items added and then placed in the reg sized circa binder.

Actually, when I do print out my lists, I punch them for my Circa Foldover Leather notebook. LOVE Circa!!

[GTDWorks]

I moved my lists from a GTD Coordinator recently to OmniFocus. Great program but lends itself to complexity and unfiltered entering of Projects and Next Actions. With paper, I first thought about whether or not I really wanted something in my planner. As an initial filter, paper worked great. But with OF, I throw everything in there and end up with a huge list of items that I may or may not want in my system. The Weekly Review is taking a lot longer with OF, too, as is the entering in of projects and next actions.

I also dislike not having my projects lists with me in my BlackBerry. Only the Next Actions sync over (with the associated project in brackets behind the item) and there is no single projects list for me to review while out and about.

I have Entourage on my Mac Pro but have heard mixed reviews of the program. iCal's list manager is very weak. Any thoughts about programs I could try?

[Oogiem]

with OF, I throw everything in there and end up with a huge list of items that I may or may not want in my system. The Weekly Review is taking a lot longer with OF, too, as is the entering in of projects and next actions.

I found that true as well in the first few weeks of using OF. Seems that having a tool that I could capture all sorts of things with meant I did. It settles out and the review is now faster as I understand how to set the review times for the someday stuff I don't want to see for several months and use the mark reviewed button.

I changed the toolbar so mark reviewed is right next to the start review process and I can easily flip down through them very fast now.

Also another tip use the OF inbox for stuff you collect and really think before moving it out of there initially.

[GTDWorks]

Oogiem, thanks for this. I'll consider what you've shared with me. How do you handle being away from your computer and still viewing projects/NA's?

Does anyone have any thoughts about programs like Entourage but preferably not an internet-based program?

[RegionalSalesman]

Nokia e90? I use one as my mobile GTD device, and when in office i use Outlook + Excel for GTD.

Nokia e90 w/ active notes for shopping lists, gathering device, call lists (love the folder -ability here), on-the-go-related next actions
w/ memos for longer lists i should keep with me and occasionally edit both on mobile and outlook (customers' freight data, insurance lists)
w/ voice recorder for voice inbox, usually in car/plane/train on which i spend app. 1/4 of my working hours
w/ calendar (i couldnt live w/o reminder function)
w/ tasks. I know this is the part where most people shout "categories", but i usually use this only on the go ie. i just do whats on the list. And when sorting stuff out i usually use outlook. i dont add new tasks to mobile on the go, instead they go to inbox.

@office i use mostly excel that i sync with e90 (using quick office there if needed). i also use outlook since its easier to go through stuff on a bigger screen.

Before the smartphone-age i used Palm's devices, but after getting my hands on the e61i few yrs back i just had to switch, since i could now omit the need for having two devices to cart around. And whereas Nokia using s60 platform isnt ideal if you're using only mobile device for GTD, as phones they are the only robust-enough option for me (i use phone as phone for some 2500+ minutes/month).

[Oogiem]

How do you handle being away from your computer and still viewing projects/NA's?

I synch my OF system with iCal and then with my Treo so I have my NAs at my side all the time. However, I've recently discovered that I put notes and references and stuff I need to do those NAs in the notes part in OF and that does not synch so when I'm heading out to work in a context outside where those notes are important I print a copy of my NA list for that context and stuff that into my belt pack. I make any notes about the actions right on that paper as I am doing and when I come in and re-group for my next set of work I update OF. I don't print them out all the time, only when I need the references and notes attached to a NA

[Brian3000]

palm centro and Sprint mogul 6800

[GTDWorks]

Thanks, Oogiem.

[photodiva]

GTD Works, I'm wondering why you decided to move from paper to electronic - it sounds like the Coordinator was working for you. I have flipped back and forth, and I use Omnifocus (it syncs better than you describe, but maybe there's a difference between iphone and blackberry), but I really like my lists on paper to work from.

Claudia

[GTDWorks]

photodiva:

Thanks for asking. There are several reasons why I switched from paper to digital:

1. Because I do a lot of GTD coaching (for free!) with family and friends, I try to keep up on both methods so I can coach from experience.

2. While I've had a few hiccups with OmniFocus, I think most of it had to do with Missing Sync and not the OF program itself. And with paper, I had to keep more paper project reference files. But with OF, the notes section below the project is ideal for storing lots of relevant information. Plus, I can make changes quickly and cleaning without a lot of re-writing/whiting out involved. I also keep a lot of checklists and they nest well within OF.

3. I have a very busy life these days and digital calendaring seems to work well as I can put a lot of appointments/reoccurring items in my schedule without a lot of re-writing and fuss.

4. I'm still hybrid to a point: I carry my planner throughout the day with lots of note paper for capturing meeting notes, ideas, mind sweeps, etc. I still keep my old lists and calendar pages in it so I can use them to show others the GTD system and how it plays out in analogue.

5. I got a new Mac and LOVE playing on it!

I must confess that I long for the day when there is one PIM for Mac that is unified with Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes in one program. I eagerly wait for Outlook for Mac to be released to see if MS has shed its Entourage failure for something that works like the Mac applications do.

[bertplat]

iPhone 3G + Omnifocus here. I use Omnifocus because none of the others provide syncing between iPhone + multiple Macs (so far I know).

I use an A7 sized block note + a fisher space pen for capturing, though; firing up my iPhone + Omnifocus is too slow for that.

[photodiva]

GTD Works, Thanks for the great response... makes a ton of sense. I too would love to see something for Mac that unifies it all - why can't Apple create something between iCal, Mail, and Contacts? I hadn't heard about Outlook for Mac, so that will be interesting.

I do love Omnifocus - not sure why working in it always ends up making me go numb to my lists. I've been keeping the running context lists in my Filofax (all else on the Mac/iPhone) and while I don't like lugging the thing around, I do like highlighting what gets done, and also capturing new actions right there without having to transfer them to digital later.

I also think that if the lists are on paper, projects and project support material can be stored in Evernote, which syncs well with iPhone.

[mcogilvie]

I must confess that I long for the day when there is one PIM for Mac that is unified with Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes in one program. I eagerly wait for Outlook for Mac to be released to see if MS has shed its Entourage failure for something that works like the Mac applications do.

I would guess that Outlook for Mac will not be significantly better than Outlook on PC's, will not support multiple machines, and will not sync to the iPhone except in the most cursory way using sync services. But I could be wrong.

[GTDWorks]

Time will tell.

[martyrizzo]

I use an iphone and the toodledo app. It syncs with outlook and is also accessible via a website so there is a back up in the clouds.

[bkim316]

iPhone and omnifocus. I also use evernote for reference and notes. Mainly because it allows the use and viewing of attachments.

Cheers

[bonobo]

I use the Blackberry Storm 9530 loaded with reQall (http://www.reqall.com/) and Evernote (http://www.evernote.com/).

Why both? I use reQall for its voice note capture and transcription. reQall sends the messages to my Evernote account. My commute to work is lengthy and ideas germinate while I drive.

Evernote captures voice notes but doesn't convert them to text. It does have desktop programs one can install on Macs, Windows PCs, and SanDisk U3 flash drives. I use an iMac at work and a PC at home--I find that the Windows version works better. For Firefox users, they have Evernote Web Clipper (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8381) add-on, as well.

[WebMarketer]

Off-and-on again I've been using my HTC S620 (T-Mobile Dash) with the inbuilt Windows Mobile Task application. Guess what, I found it to be lousy and lacking for managing my contexts... so I've gotten back to paper and life's been great again.

I'm curious, though, anyone here using a listmanager with an HTC Dash? How did you set up to work with GTD? I've given up on trying to make it work for me.

By the way, in case anyone is interested, I've found MyNotes (http://www.getjar.com/products/17066/MyNotes) to be a cool list manager to use on my HTC. It's free and requires Java support. You can use to write notes, make lists and checklists. Other features include password protection and exporting/importing of notes. Much more flexible than the standard tasks app in WM!

[altruologist]

This has been a journey for me. The best electronic option I have used is the Palm TX that is now retired but still looking as nice as the day I bought it. There were advantages to having a device with a stylus and the list management as superb. I need a robust phone so I stick with Nokia and currently I have the E71. This is a great phone but sadly lacks the great list management capabilities of the Palm and other tools out there. Sadly I am not able to manage categories from my Outlook to my phone. As a dive more deeply into the GTD framework I am migrating more to paper list management; in this case I am bring out a Filofax A-5 binder in which I can do fast capture and easy context based scanning of actions. I use Clear Context in my Outlook and this is a great tool for me. Mind Manager is fun too but I find it best for my high level stuff having never mastered or understood its use for the runway level actions.

[gabrielsalcido]

BlackBerry Curve 8310:

- Plain vanilla Tasks for Next Action Lists and for collecting stuff (into an #InBasket# category). Sync to Outlook 2003+Netcentrics GTD Add In
- Voice notes for collecting while driving.

Works great for me ;-)

[alsa]

Things on Mac and iPhone for about a year now and I am in love it more than any other system I have ever had. This is so far the pinnacle of my GTD adventure.

[humblepie]

i seriously don't get why Things looks more popular then Appigo Todo on the iphone.

For me i go with Appigo Todo on the iPod Touch 2G sync with Toodledo through WIFI.

I don't really use the web-based one, more like a very convenient backup. I have my list with me 90% of the time with Appigo ToDo.

Like the previous guy said this is the pinnacle of my task management exploration after coming along way.

[mcogilvie]

i seriously don't get why Things looks more popular then Appigo Todo on the iphone.

There's quite a bit of variation in the app store ratings. Right now the Toodledo app is above both Appigo Todo and Things, but they all seems to stay in the top 25. Omnifocus tends to stay in the top 25-50.

Things has a very finely crafted desktop. It has some flaws, because it is more crafted than designed. Omnifocus is more designed, but more ponderous.


For me i go with Appigo Todo on the iPod Touch 2G sync with Toodledo through WIFI.

I don't really use the web-based one, more like a very convenient backup. I have my list with me 90% of the time with Appigo ToDo.

Like the previous guy said this is the pinnacle of my task management exploration after coming along way.

I can see why someone who primarily uses the Touch would prefer Appigo Todo over the Toodledo app. It makes better use of color and has some other nice features. It does not have the same (extensive) feature set that Toodledo on the web has. The Toodledo app does reproduce most of that. People who are at their desktops more, who get more of their work from email or other digital sources, or who prefer a full-size keyboard and lots of shortcuts, are going to prefer list managers with stronger desktop versions.

[humblepie]

There's quite a bit of variation in the app store ratings. Right now the Toodledo app is above both Appigo Todo and Things, but they all seems to stay in the top 25. Omnifocus tends to stay in the top 25-50.

Things has a very finely crafted desktop. It has some flaws, because it is more crafted than designed. Omnifocus is more designed, but more ponderous.


I can see why someone who primarily uses the Touch would prefer Appigo Todo over the Toodledo app. It makes better use of color and has some other nice features. It does not have the same (extensive) feature set that Toodledo on the web has. The Toodledo app does reproduce most of that. People who are at their desktops more, who get more of their work from email or other digital sources, or who prefer a full-size keyboard and lots of shortcuts, are going to prefer list managers with stronger desktop versions.

you got to explain to me what is the difference between crafted and design. its not a term i normally associate with.

but i believe i use it on my ipod touch more is due to the fact that when you move about your collection can be done all over whether you are on the move, at home, commuting, in the office.

i think a person normally don't think whether they should reach for an internet terminal just to enter a task, they write it down on a piece of paper the task.

that said, you will not review well each projects during your review on a ipod touch

[mcogilvie]

you got to explain to me what is the difference between crafted and design.

Things was crafted, in the sense that it grew organically out of what the developers wanted to do as they went about the process of creating it. Omnifocus was designed by a team with decades of experience in design and programming.

[12hourhalfday]

BlackBerry Curve 8300

Same here. I love it. *High five*!

[humblepie]

Things was crafted, in the sense that it grew organically out of what the developers wanted to do as they went about the process of creating it. Omnifocus was designed by a team with decades of experience in design and programming.


ah i see. thanks for the clarification

[humblepie]

why not we have a topic based on how we use our individual lists? that would really contrast how we do things with lists.

imo alot of what we use matters due to our profession, it would be more helpful if we list out what we do as a profession since a freelancer who spents time at home more would be different from an accountant on the move.

[humblepie]

it looks like there is a good alternative for folks owning an Android based phone. Remember the milk have come out with their android application with a smart input functionality. (http://www.productiveorganizer.com/to-dotask-management/android-app-for-remember-the-milk-outgtd-to-do-on-android-becomes-bettero/)

My experience with them seems to be that remember the milk do not make the best app if you have many projects that are nested. But for ubiquitous task management it certainly covers alot of bases.