Omnifocus vs Apple Reminders

[MOMOJO68]

I recently read GTD and I am a total MAC geek, have been since the 80's. I've been spending time over the holidays (with a little time off) scouring the internet for best practices on GTD, especially those involving OSX. After many hours and days of work, my inbox is ZERO thanks to Apple mail.

I've been looking at Evernote, Reminders, and the other systems that exist for GTD implementation.

For me, GTD will be in full swing beginning Jan 2. So far, I am leaning toward Apple Reminders since it is so simple.

Just agreeing! Good luck.

[mcogilvie]

I find Reminders just a bit too simple. It cannot produce a date-sorted list, for example. I think it's also the ugliest app Apple makes, but that's not a functionality issue.

[shayne771]

Can you describe your set up on Reminders or better yet post a pic?

I've integrated Reminders into my GTD system in a way similar to what is described here for Evernote: http://examinehealth.com/personal-productivity/69-gtd-and-evernote.html

I have separate lists for my inbox, single actions, and individual projects, with project lists beginning with a period to help identify them more easily. Because Reminders doesn't have tags like Evernote, I add context tags manually to the end of the entered item (e.g., "Call Jason re: conference @phone"). This allows me to use the search function w/in the app to find tasks appropriate for any given context.

It's certainly not a perfect set up, but I find the convenience of Siri along with the native apps in OS X and iCloud.com to outweigh any shortcomings.

[jbert]

A useful feature of the Reminders application for Mac OS I did not see mentioned is selecting multiple lists using the "command" and "shift" buttons. All applicable tasks are shown in the task list under the appropriate list heading. I have not found a similar feature on the iPhone application though.

[Jonagold]

For years I have used the Omnifocus apps on my Mac and iPhone. The learning curve was steep, but I became a master. Even though I was really good at using it, I always felt a certain unease with the complexity. I was intrigued when Apple came out with Reminders on iOS in 2011, especially the location based reminders. I played around with it, but still stuck to my investment in Omnifocus. I recently re-read the GTD book and Allen talks about having simple lists, a list of projects, a list of Errands etc. I then decided to give the Apple Reminders app a more serious try to see if it can be my trusted system. The key feature is that you can create different lists. I created 9, Projects, Calls, Home, Office, etc. After a couple of weeks of using this as my GTD system, I now realize how much friction is built into the Omnifocus apps. For every task you have to set two fields, the Project and the Context. There are different filters, Next Actions, Available, Remaining. There are nested folders, perspectives, etc. It is a really complex app that I think gets in the way of actually getting things done. It is really easy to hide tasks inadvertently because you are not looking in the right type of view. The Project view, Context view etc all show or hide tasks in different ways. In contrast, Reminders just shows all of your tasks all the time. I can quickly swipe through my 9 lists and see everything. I don't have to worry about things not appearing because I don't have the view setup properly. I review all of my lists every day, because it is so easy. In Omnifocus I only did that in my weekly review.

Another useful feature of Apple Reminders is Siri integration. It is so easy to create a reminder now. When I'm out and about I ask Siri to tell me what is on my Errands list and she reads it back to me! I don't have to take the iPhone out of my pocket to see what Errands I have, it is a feature I use every day. The other feature I use a lot is the web interface of reminders on icloud.com. I have to use a PC at work and now I can add things to my reminders list via this web interface. This is of course impossible due to the fact that Omnifocus is only available for the Mac and iOS.

After a few weeks with Reminders I've decided to permanently make the switch away from Omnifocus. I thought to do GTD right, I needed a power tool like Omnifocus, but in reality the simplicity of Reminders is making me more productive. I spend less time fiddling with the software and more time actually doing my tasks. I encourage everyone that has an iOS device or a Mac to give it a try.

This seems to fit GTD very well it's as though they had it in mind when they built iOS 6. It's even better with iCloud as it syncs between devices.

However, I can't get Siri to talk through my list as the previous contributor did, any ideas?

[mcogilvie]

This seems to fit GTD very well it's as though they had it in mind when they built iOS 6. It's even better with iCloud as it syncs between devices.

However, I can't get Siri to talk through my list as the previous contributor did, any ideas?

If I ask Siri "What's on my errands list?" She replies with the number of items and shows the list. To get her to speak the list, I believe you have to turn on assistive technologies. Try searching that Internet thing to find out.

[robfrommars]

I swore I'd never leave OmniFocus...but thanks to your post I'm a changed man. Reminders truly does force you to remove the friction you can create with OmniFocus. And Siri reading me my projects list in the car every morning is way cool. Thanks for the push!

[ratz]

Yes that one, that would be the sound of my hand hitting my forehead.

Since the downfall of palm and the rise of the iphone, I have been waiting for Apple to understand even the basics of task list to give us something usable. Interestingly I had given up and stopped paying any attention to what Apple had done as of late instead focusing on Omni focus, things, and you name it every other source of to do application available for the Mac the iPhone the iPad nothing worked to my satisfaction. Now you going post this I read it and realize the obvious . 48 hours later I am completely converted to the task list and everything is just flowing smoothly like it did back in the days of the palm. add Siri on top of that and what a boon. Thank you so much for posting this.

Now I get back to getting things done

[kelstarrising]

It took some experimenting, but I got Siri to read my Errands list by specifically saying, "Read my Errands List." I did not change anything in Accessibility for it to work.

Also, here's a really useful 4 minute video I found walking through more iPhone features. I learned a few things from this that I didn't know were possible (like creating a home button on the touch screen.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_aADB8k5nA

We expect to have our GTD & iPhone available in the DAC Store by this Friday. It focuses solely on the built-in applications (no 3rd party) to take advantage of what comes native to the iPhone. Hope you all find it useful!

Kelly

[sestephan]

It took some experimenting, but I got Siri to read my Errands list by specifically saying, "Read my Errands List." I did not change anything in Accessibility for it to work.

Also, here's a really useful 4 minute video I found walking through more iPhone features. I learned a few things from this that I didn't know were possible (like creating a home button on the touch screen.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_aADB8k5nA

We expect to have our GTD & iPhone available in the DAC Store by this Friday. It focuses solely on the built-in applications (no 3rd party) to take advantage of what comes native to the iPhone. Hope you all find it useful!

Kelly

Kelly! GREAT!! I have dedicated way to much time to searching systems!! I used the blackberry system FOR YEARS with no problems. I think I have too many choices now! I need this bad!!! Thank you!!!! I follow GTD VERY VERY VERY STRICTLY. VERY. Everything on the market forces adaptation or comprimise, or makes features available that fly in the very face of GTD! THIS IS BIG for me!