The app of IPhone calendar It has everything to be perfect, or at least that appears, with a minimalist aesthetic Apple brand that delights any user and an intuitive and refined interface. Its clean design, perfect integration with ICloud and other services, and its automatic synchronization with all Apple devices make it unnecessary to look for another alternative.
But as usually happens with many Native Apple apps, which seems sufficient in day to day, it begins to show their shortcomings when we ask a little more. And in my case, that “a little more” has been enough to leave the application … at least in part.
The best alternative to calendar: Ical
The main reason that has led me to look for an alternative has nothing to do with internal functioning, or errors or hangers. It is something as simple (already as annoying) as the Lack of useful widgets. How can it be that, at this point, the Apple calendar app does not allow you to see a complete monthly calendar from the iPhone start screen? Not a weekly calendar with well -organized events. There is only one widget in list view, another with the pending events for the next few days or a small one with the day and date, which is not very practical if what you need is an overall vision, plan your week or simply know what awaits you in the next few days without having to open the application.
This is where it enters Iicalan app that, sincerely, I only use for its widgets. Their options are much more varied, and allow you to choose between monthly, weekly or daily view, and events are clearly organized. This is what is worth it for me: the possibility of creating a Widget of the whole month With the events That you have organized for each day, to know if I have an important meeting, an birthday or a medical appointment. And it is not that I like to have two apps for the same task, but in this case the comfort that Icical offers with its widgets is key.
Another point that is frustrating with the native app is integration with Siri. Apple loves to talk about how its artificial intelligence improves productivity and how Siri can organize your life, but when you try to create an event using voice commands, things do not always go as expected. For example, by saying “hey Siri, creates a work reminder on Tuesday at five”, sometimes interprets it as a generic reminder, Without assigning the category “Work” that I have created myself. At this point, Siri should be able to understand basic contexts and somewhat more complex commands, especially in an application as essential as the calendar.
I do not say that Apple's app does not work. Complete, synchronizes, and has a pleasant interface. But if you are one of those who need to have your week under control from the home screen, or if you expect the virtual assistant to understand what you are saying without the need to repeat the same command three times, you are likely to also feel frustrated.
For now, the solution that works for me is this rare mixture: I use Apple's calendar app to manage my appointments, but Ical gives me a quick and clear view that I need with your widgets. And if one day Apple decides to get your app and improve these basic functions, maybe use it as the only tool. Until then, I will continue to juggle.
