We’ve talked about Things extensively on Smoking Apples. This getting-things-done app has been refined to the point that it is perfect. Well, it’s still not perfect, but it’s certainly worth your time and effort. Check out our Things coverage below or scroll down to see how you can win yourself a copy of the Things desktop and iPhone package!
Things for Desktop
It’s been like what, a little over a year now? From the day Things was released for public consumption as a beta, I’ve been hooked. Cultured Code set out to make a getting things done platform that actually gets you. A year later, I think they did. Read on for what might be less of a review, and more of an encomium. [Read Review]
Things for iPhone
Originally published in the Smoking Apples Magazine Issue 3. Free direct download.
The iPhone version of Things is a perfect complement to the desktop one. Although both workspaces are totally different, with a different user interface, they both feel like they are part of one another.
Standalone
As a standalone task manager, Things for iPhone lets you add tasks, move them around, and basically do pretty much what the desktop version can do (with some limitations of course).
The beauty of the UI is the + button at the bottom left. It is always there, so no matter what, you can add a new task. The button will by default create a new task in your Inbox, but if you’re already in a project, it will default to that instead.
You can also batch-move items to another location, which is handy for organising your events from your inbox to projects. Things also carries the concepts of Somday and Scheduled over to the iPhone.
Syncing
The main feature of Things for iPhone is the seamless sync. As long as both, the iPhone and Desktop version of Things are on the same wifi network, it will initiate a sync. The sync usually happens at launch, but it also periodically syncs as long as both apps are open.
Shortcomings
While Cultured Code has been working hard on bringing the desktop features of Things to the iPhone, it still misses out on some. For once, Areas is totally absent from the features list. That is the main feature of the desktop version that I use and not having it on the iPhone is a bummer. However, the Next view will show events from any of your Areas that have synced over, so that’s a sort of temporary workaround.
Another feature I ind missing is the search feature, or narrowing down by tags. With version 1.3 Things for iPhone supports tags, but they are basically useless for a iPhone-only usage.
VFM?
All in all though, Things for the iPhone is a solid GTD extension, and a must-have if you have the desktop version of Things. The iPhone version sells for $9.99 and is totally worth it.
Things Desktop Screencast
Take a look at how I use Things to manage the behind the scenes of Smoking Apples. [Screencast]
Giveaway
This time, we’re giving away two ‘Things packages’. You get the desktop version and the iPhone version (US iTunes accounts only) for a complete GTD experience. Our thanks to Cultured Code for this amazing offer.
All you have to do, is let us know why your tasks are the most important and are deserving for this license. Winners will be drawn randomly, but only of deserving relevant comments.
Gather round folks. Dr. Whites graced the occasion and hand picked the winners for the giveaway. Winner number 1 was Kevin for his comment. Winner number 2 was drawn randomly, aggregating all comments and tweets about this giveaway. Lucky enough, it was a tweet by “Chris F” that got through, and a last minute one at that. Congrats winners, and thanks to everyone for participating.
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
Since I have not found any suitable solution for sorting my tasks, I could highly use one of the copies. I’m no president, no hero, no shooting-star, only everyday task would be on the list. But then again, is my ordinary live less worth than Obama’s?
Trying to run a small business from my home with 3 kids and lots of craziness. I NEED things… multiple projects (video) and I can’t keep it all straight. used things, loved things, but can’t afford it in this economy.
Sorry if this is a duplicate post… not sure what happened when I clicked on submit comment…
but I need things. trying to run a small video production business from my home with 3 kids and lots of projects means things are slipping through the cracks. I need a way to keep track of everything. I loved things in beta, but can’t justify spending the money on it in this economy. Please choose me!
Think about all remaining tasks is so frustrating. It can leads to serious headaches. Proper GTD application makes your life much more easier. The Things is the best GTD applications I ever tried. The licence for me would be great! I mean I could have less headaches
All of my attempts at global domination have failed due to lack of organization. An application like things is just what I need to help me conquer the world. However, I’m on a tight budget… So, if you choose me, I can promise you a great position in my new world order! HAHAHAHAHA!
Well, being responsible for many IT projects and designs, it is really hard to keep in my head all the tasks, requirements plus the arising issues. And not being able to satisfy all mentioned above can lead to a total fail %)
So it would be really nice to get the desktop version of things, as a companion for an already purchased iphone version
I have been using OmniFocus for the past 12 months or so, and although I like it, it is not quite as intuitive and may be a little more bloated than Things. I used a beta of Things and really enjoyed it, very easy and simple to use. I chose OmniFocus for the Iphone application that Things did not have at the time. Now that Things has the Iphone App. I NEED to go back to the software. The reviews by Smoking Apples have been thorough and outstanding and have made me jealous of the software, however, I have now outlayed $$$ for OmniFocus and can’t afford to go back to Things. I live in OmniFocus and I want to live in Things. Maybe the government can offer me a Omni bailout or a Things Stimulus package
I’m starting a project to build a new web app that will take the financial world by storm. Well…hopefully it will.
I also tend to forget what to buy at the grocery stores.
I am a college professor–everyone knows we’re absent-minded. I have to keep track of my classes, student projects, grad student seminars, research assistants, and my own (too many!) research projects. Meanwhile, I need to remember basic life stuff like bill deadlines and paperwork filing.
I’m on the tenure track, so failure to do any of the above could end up putting me (and my poor cat) out on the street, holding up pitiful signs offering “Will develop theoretical models for food.” Please help us avoid this terrible fate by giving us the tools to keep track of everything, at home, at work, and on the fly.
As a student who’s also starting a non-profit, I have a lot of tasks flying around and would love to use Things to keep track of them.
thanks!
I got 6 plus websites to work on, about 8 plus stories in the process, and 2 plus applications in the planning.
I need some organization bad.
I’m a college student and can’t really afford to buy a lot of the software that I’d like to get. I have a lot of tasks to keep track of, projects, tests, paper deadlines, etc. On top of that I have a lot of deadlines and such to keep track of for my extracurricular activities. Having a copy of things on my Mac, and on my iPod Touch for when I’m on the go, would be really helpful to me.
I work for a company that provides a web platform for organizations and groups to get online and recruit members, collect donations, run events etc. We specialize for groups that are non-profits and need a leg up tech wise.
We are also an Agile shop so we always have constant development and analysis on the go. All our developers are in Moscow, while I’m in Canada and with a 7-8 hour difference that means that something is always happening and things are always changing and needing to get done.
So with all the changes to our product happening all the time, my work to analyze them, communicate with our developers and keep track of their progress, write the help files for what they are developing and keep in touch with our clients, I need something that enables me to track my progress and goals from my work computer, home computer, and iPhone. One dropped ball on any of those and the time it would take to get everything back to where it should be impacts everything else down the line.
Plus I like to think I’m going good work to help good people do good things!
I’m a graphical designer and I need to remember lot’s of things to do, to shoot and to write. So I use my hands to put a dot every time I need to remember something (always have pen with me). But then there is a big problem to recall what exactly I need to do
I already forgot 5 tasks today, and it’s only noon. Please help, for God’s sake, PLEASE HELP!
I am a married man with four beautiful daughters aged 7, 9, 11, & 13. In addition to attempting to manage my household, I am also a full-time graduate student pursuing a Masters in Theology. I’m pulling 16-18 credit hours at any given moment. Finally, I maintain a fairly active speaking and ministry schedule.
I *need* to get things done, and am always in a state of confusion and desperation. Please help me. I’m drowning. Thank you for your kind consideration, and the random opportunity to acquire free schwag of a useful nature.
As a Uni student there are always thing to remember from shopping to work. Being able to use things rather than google tasks which I have hacked to work on my laptop without going into gmail would just make life so much simpler and leave more time for the important things in life like reading this blog.
My girlfriend has been using this application since it came out and it has made me so jealous! She is always telling me that I need to get it together or I’m going to be single again. Help me! I’d buy it but I’m on a super tight budget and eating is more important because you can’t plan tasks if you aren’t alive to fulfill them, right?
O, and I posted to TWITTER, two times!
I guess I have used most of the to-do apps in OSX. Still i am yet to find something which is useful and productive for me. I have tried Mail.app’s tasks, Midnight Inbox, Omni-Focus, Remember the Milk and goes on. I am yet to figure out a easier way. This all ended when I tried the beta version of things. I got very easily use d to the interface and started organizing myself much better. I realised that this was the app which i was waiting for.
Unfortunately I do not use credit cards. So I am not able to access the i-phone version. I would be very glad if I get the Things package. I sincerely hope I can also contribute to the future of Things by suggesting features and pointing bugs if any.
As a web developper/recent house owver/boyfriend/pigiste/and everybody go-to guy for computer, web and photography, I’m always in demand so I NEED to get organised.
Things would be great in that regards.
Thanks in advance for my copie of things
Things is the only software my multiple personalities can agree on using. It gets hectic sometimes.
I’m scheduled to graduate from college this spring—but only if I successfully pass all of my classes. A copy of Things Desktop would make it a lot easier to keep track of all my assignments and graduation requirements.
My tasks are highly important. I am currently a high school student taking all A.P.s possible, president of my class, on multiple varsity school sports, and am a leader of multiple extra curricular programs. Along with these responsibilities comes many tasks, which is why task managing is the most essential aspect of my life. I have to keep track of meetings with school faculty members, work needed to be done for my extra curricular activities, and most important, keep track of my school assignments. It is a highly necessary to organize my assignments along with their due dates, when I should begin working, and important notes on the assignments. In conclusion, task managing is crucial facet of my life.
I hated Windows but my office required it. I used Outlook and a PalmVx to track my tasks, etc. I switched to a Mac and an iPhone (when the phone first came out) and have been unable to find an adequate and syncable task manager. Things looks like it could be what I need. Please help me. I have 21 months of overdue tasks to catch up with
Trying to balance expat lifestyle: work, family, community service, travel, play.
I need it because I never know when my homework is supposed to be done, I can’t organize my gui-work, don’t know when or what to do when and I am constantly losing my mind not knowing what to do.
I work as a grant writer and IT/Operations Manager for a non-profit. We’re small and the work I do requires wearing a lot of hats. Add all that to a tight budget…
At home, my wife is a full-time worker and full-time in college. I tend to be her study buddy and do a lot of the errands and housework on weekends. A good task manager setup would be fabulous. I really appreciate the chance to enter this contest.
Thanks!
My tasks are really important. I’m constantly at my computer, and when an idea for something pops into my head, the Things HUD allows me to get ideas out of my head and somewhere I’m not going to forget them with minimal fuss. This could be a blog post, a function/method/class, a photo, the fact that it’s bin day tomorrow or I need to buy cat food. I’ve recently been using a diary, but the minimal disruption of Things is in the process of displacing my diary, which I never thought would happen!
If you don’t give me a copy, I’m going to buy it anyway (and I’m more than happy to donate my touch licence as I’ve got one and I’m not in the US!)
Woah! That’s a whole lot of comments! I’m sure scared of the angry mob that’s going to come after us for having just two licenses in hand.
It’s great to know what awesome work our readers do every day. Super awesome really.
Really, my tasks are kinda the most stupid tasks you will ever find on this planet! But sadly I need to get them done and I always shoot the deadline by a huge margin. Hopefully an app license can change my life forever!!
I am a student who is about 2 weeks behind in school after I got mono. I have checked on the demo and loved it but I don’t have the money to purchase. Being able to keep track of “things” on both iPod and mac would be very helpful.
I believe that my tasks are the most important because I am in school right now and anything to help me stay focused is great for both my grades and my future… thanks for giving Things away!
I’m a student studying visual & game programming. I’m creating a NWN2 game mod, all of it, solo, juggling projects from four classes, and have a fiancee I’m about to move in with in a new apartment. All managed through my iPod touch’s Things app. It’s the first software I’ve bought for productivity and has helped shape my life better.
However, there is only so much that I can stand to type (‘tap’) into my iPod. I would love the real Things app for my Mac. It has so much more potential than my iPod. Thanks for the give away!
I need Things to organize my chaos, freeing my wandering mind so that I may capture observations both great and small of the world around me, compiling literary footage for my next grand writing experiment, be it a novel, screenplay or old time radio melodrama. How else am I to contemplate subversive acts with the ImprovAZ group whilst simultaneously contemplating versive acts with Touch Poet?
Would like for the purposes of tracking (a) school assignments and projects, (b) tasks for work (I work as a freelance videographer on the side), and (c) anything else I may have.
I’m a freelancer, full-time intern, and getting ready to go to graduate school – I need some help managing everything. I’m buying GTD book tonight please help.
I’ve still been dying for this to have 1) bonjour collaboration like originally advertised and 2) a global review process. When I used iGTD, I could review everything no matter what project or sub folder it’s in – that process isn’t possible unless I click on every folder and project container, which has pretty much ruined my GTD reviewing.
The bonjour was going to be an in house saver for my design and development team (I am the Art & the IT Director), but when it didn’t happen on January 1st, we’ve been putting in the time for Django app to do it for us. It’s too difficult to manage everyone’s to-do’s anyway else, and I don’t want to muddle the calendar with unneeded things.
I need Things because I am in high school and have found nothing better to manage my homework and other work related tasks. I need Things so badly because my calendar has so many tasks that it looks like a rainbow, and has become unmanageable. Because I am a student, I am on a budget and can’t afford to purchase Things. I guarantee you that Things would be put to good use if I would win and I can tell everyone in my class how amazing it is
What a great way to organize a Type A personality going a zillion miles an hour. Being able to add items to the to do list without closing windows is great. This would be terrific to organize daily life and my client projects. Fingers crossed.
I can’t remember what I am doing here.
Thanks by keeping the Things Ecosystem on the spot, a nice review!
I’d tried Things as a beta tester, I’ve been _hooked_, and I’ll buying it asap.
It’s a light app that can be left running all the time and collecting the next tasks while working with the other apps, only that mine is now _read-only_!
I’m an associate manager of a major department store working many hours with many projects/tasks to get done. If I had things I won’t have to use notes for my projects.
There is nothing like getting Things done for a non-profit youth organization. That is what I would use the programs for.
I actually have so much things cropping up in my mind. I plan out on loads of stuff, but I lose track of many of ‘em soon. Results? Low efficiency, Incomplete tasks, Time wastage and what-not?
Tweeted. Though I wouldnt need the iPhone version.
9 to 5 gig, side biz, 3 year old, 20 month old, community service organization president – maybe I don’t need things but to just unload some activities. Thanks for helping to clear things up!
I’ve tried a ton of todo type apps and I have to say Things has the nicest interface I have seen out of all of them.
Who wouldn’t love to have a copy? I definitely would.
This review was well done (as always). Keep up the great work!
There are a couple reasons I need a quality GTD system like Things. First, I work for the US Government performing network security and information assurance. The job requires a lot of little tasks be completed as part of a number of larger overall projects. Things is ideal for keeping track of these associated tasks unlike most of the competing products.
In addition, a friend and I are working on a new blog, TechMiso, which again needs a lot of little tasks tracked and accomplished. It’s a lot of fun but needs paying attention to. Essentially I work as a project manager for the blog and need to be on top of the various action items.
Hope this comment is worthy enough to be considered deserving.
As a medical student, I have so much to worry about that I could certainly use all the help I can get. I used your desktop app when it was in beta and really liked it, but haven’t found the cash to buy it. Thanks for the consideration!
Broke and Overworked in Med School
As a student it sometimes becomes hard to keep an overview of all important tasks and assignments, in my trail period with Things I found out the application fits perfectly in my workflow. It integrates very well with iCal and my Nokia N73 which is extremely handy because I don’t want to be checking my computer all the time for tasks at hand.
The app is easy to use and understand en works seamlessly! Kudos to Cultured Code
Boy, can I use something like this for my mac.
I am operating on the fly right now between all the appts, things to do, and things to keep track of doing.
I am a full-time college student, I tutor 3 disabled students, I volunteer at an organization for men in recovery, I volunteer at a community centre, and I am working on a social enterprise project.
Just keeping track of all these is making me crazy because I can’t seem to squeeze in sufficient down time to chill. I need to schedule that too!
To top it all off, I am disabled myself, so I can’t afford ‘toys’ for my puter.
Here it is Sunday morning at 12:30am and I studying for upcoming exams.
I think Things would be of value to my life.
I have no important things to do, have lots of cash to afford a license, and would probably be a waste if I win. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to!
1. @Work: my tasks revolve around preventing suicide.
2. @Home: my tasks revolve around loving my wife, and three children, including one with disabilities.
3. @Ministry: my tasks revolve around strengthening the ministry to children at our church.
Tony
Tasks are what keeps me focused and are a HUGE part of my day. I tried things in the past and LOVED IT, but the price tag made it expendable. I use Google tasks because it has an iphone interface and you can use it with Gmail. Just not as full-featured as I would like, though free. I would be immensely grateful for a license!
I tried few software similar to Things, but none of them seemed to be as good as Things. I need to survive at my new @work, remember about all duties in @home so my wife can be happy! and my iPhone would like to get a new great app!
My tasks are the most deserving because there are so many of them, and if you do not recognize them, they will overrun you as they have me.
1. Currently working a few different part-time jobs and having to keep track of each one has become very challenging! Different deadlines constantly gives me a headache. Scheduling conference calls and remembering them.
2. Keeping track of bills and payments. Learning how to pay attention to my finances after graduating from college.
3. Organizing personal photography projects and reminders for possibly themes to look into.
Aloha,
Susie
Well, I really need this pair of utilities that compliment each other.
Got a demanding job here in Japan that I do all by myself, recently got my first baby boy, got loads of tasks and on top of that i am not the most organized person in the world.
though, the above will be only 5% of the use I plan for those utilities… the remaining 95% is going to be the THINGS my better half want/need me to do
And for that I need the project feature!
Winners announced, Kevin and Chris F. Details at the bottom of the post.
Thanks everyone for commenting. Feeling bad that so many of you didn’t get the license. Kya karey (what to do), we only had two of them.
I work for a fast-paced, summer educational program – there is a lot to get done and rarely enough time in which to complete it. It’s the most ‘multi-tasking’ job that I have ever had – there are always 10-15 simultaneous projects with various due-dates and multiple levels of importance. Normally, I have multiple ‘to-do’ list scattered all over – on my notebook, in an open MS Word document, using my calendar, etc – it all gets cluttered and something inevitably gets done. Additionally, at the end of the summer, I have to write a ‘site report’ – essentially a journal of everything that has happened all summer, how it was handled (including when), and things that could be done better. I foresee using things on my iPhone and desktop to organize all of my projects (both long and short-term) and then using the log feature in order to write my end of summer report.