Embedded Files
Google Tasks and Reminders has been a fascinating case study of how Google innovates: Glacially slow and in sprints, overlapping and leaving yawning gaps, brilliantly integrated and frustratingly disparate.
This is also an opportunity to talk about two simple tools that look the same, but are really different in almost every way. Who knows - maybe one will fit nicely in your toolkit.
Reminders
Reminders
Reminders is the newer feature of the two. It was launched in 2015 as mobile-only feature for Calendar, right after Inbox was launched. It tied Inbox into Calendar and somehow never lost the mobile-first, consumer-first flavor.
Reminders are a Google Calendar feature. They can be created using Google Calendar, the Google Assistant (coming soon to PwC) and programmatically
Reminders consist only of a subject line ("Prepare budget meeting")
Reminders have either a date & time or to a location ("when I get home").
Reminders cannot be in the past. Until they are "done", they move to the next day.
Google Tasks
Google Tasks
In every aspect, Google Tasks is much bigger than Reminders - it was promoted from feature to core service (along Gmail, Calendar etc.). Perhaps because of that it can call itself Google Tasks, while its competitor is simply... Reminders?
Tasks have a subject, a body and an optional due date.
Tasks can have subtasks.
Tasks can be put on lists (like categories).
Gmail has an arcane command to create tasks: With an email open, select "Add to task" from the three-dot menu. This will create a task with a reference to that very email.
Tasks has a sleek mobile app.
Calendar integration
Calendar integration
Tasks and reminders can appear on the Calendar: Each can be activated individually (they are layers). Bring up your calendar selection and select what you like to see. It does not take up resources to keep them visible, so I keep them selected all the time.
At PwC, all reminders are created on the calendar, so you will see them all on Google Calendar. (In your private life, you may not see them all - when you say "Okay Google, remind me to buy toilet paper when I get home", you will not see that on your calendar).
In order for tasks to appear in Calendar, they need to have a due date. They will then appear at the due date (and time).
My verdict
My verdict
I will be very honest - I use neither of the two. They are too simple and I doubt you can run your entire life on them - and I expect nothing less from a task management tool. I want it all, no stop-gap measure. Now, if you pointed a water gun to my head and took away any other choice on the internet, I would chose Tasks, because at least it has subtasks and lists.
Surprisingly, I use reminders sometimes. I like being able to say "Okay Google, remind me to do this and that" and then, when I get to work, I sit down and write that up. Thank you for reading!
Join 1900+ people who read these tips twice a week. Subscribe now!
Page updated
Report abuse