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My name is Steven. I'm an independent iOS developer at slidetorock.com.

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productivity

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iPad typing tip

Save time and organize your thoughts better with this simple tip.

I admit I didn't know you could do this for a long time.  Some users have told me this makes writing in Chapters a dream.  Hopefully this helps you too.

Filed under  //  apple   chapters   ipad   notes   productivity   tips   writing  
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Posted by Steven Romej 
 

The new month view in Planner for iPad

The next update to Planner has a custom month view.  It's the best way to see what's happening beyond the current week, of course.

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The 1.1.0 update also has lots of fixes and lets you sync with the built-in Calendar app on the iPad.  If your Calendar app is set up to sync with Google Calendar, MobileMe, or other calendars, you'll be able to see and edit those events from within Planner.  The changes you make will be sync'd back to the calendar they originated from.  It's optional - just flip the switch to turn it on or off.

Look for Planner 1.1 in the App Store soon.

Filed under  //  ipad   ipad apps   planner   productivity   todos  
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Posted by Steven Romej 
 

The to-do list planner

I recently came across a post titled getting things done like a Zen master.  One of the techniques discussed is that of the to-do planner, a planner that integrates a to-do list with a calendar.  It's exciting to me because it captures some of the motivations I had when building Planner for iPad.  If something has a specific due date, it's a calendar event.  If it's indeterminate, it's just a to-do.  It's important to see both at all times.

The reason I suggest using a weekly to-do planner is because daily planners have too much room. Focus not on how many things you can get done in a day; instead, focus on one critical task that will actually have an impact on your life.

Filed under  //  ipad   planner   productivity   todo  
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Posted by Steven Romej 
 

iPhone journal app update

Chronicle has been available on the App Store for 3 days now.  It doesn't have any reviews yet, but I have heard from a couple customers already who use it to write a diary.  I hope many find and use it.

I remember buying a set of 3 black Moleskine cahiers a few years ago.  They're smaller than a normal notebook and more flexible, ideal for keeping in your back pocket.  That was my thinking.

The problem was that I often forgot to take them with me.  Or I'd forget my pen and have to ask the person behind the Barnes and Noble Starbucks counter for one.  I like to flip through magazines and write down ideas or links to look at later.

Three things I always have with me: keys, wallet, and phone.  If you think about it, there's really not enough room to take any more with you (such as a cahier) unless you're toting a bag.

That's one reason something like Chronicle is ideal.  You'll always have your phone, so writing is a matter of opening the app.  

A great secondary advantage: you can search your writings to find ideas you wrote down a long time ago.  

Maybe you were reading Kiplinger's in December and heard about a free tax advice hotline they were going to set up for tax season.  Instead of flipping back through your notebook, you type "tax" or "hotline" and the appropriate entry appears, with context around it.

Filed under  //  diary   iphone   journal   moleskine   notes   productivity  
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Posted by Steven Romej 
 

Today's tasks have a home and moving your todos

Screenshots of the updates in the latest (hopefully approved soon)
YouDo update. When you scroll away from today's task list, you will
see a home icon pop up. If you wander far from home, use this button
to get back in a single tap.

Also, you can tap and hold a task to move it around to other days.
This is helpful if you forget or are unable to cross an item off your
todo list one day and want to move it to the current day.

(download)

Filed under  //  calendars   gtd   iphone   productivity   sticky   task  
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Posted by Steven Romej 
 

Daily to do list - YouDo for iPhone

Youdo-1-1

I've tried a lot of handheld devices, task management programs, and calendar applications over the years in my quest to stay organized.  The one I always come back to: pencil and paper (with Ta-da lists coming in a close second).  If you've got a lot to do, the last thing you need is a task list application that adds to your workload by throwing menus, checkboxes, categories, and all kinds of metadata fields on top of each to-do.

If you like paper and simple lists, try my new daily to-do list app, YouDo.

Each day gets its own sheet.  You can scroll through the week to take a peek at what's coming.  Small vertical bars flank each day to give you an idea of how many previous and upcoming tasks you have.

Add new tasks inline: tap, type, reorder, delete from the same screen.  No submenus to wander through, no extra seconds shaved off your day.

Bonus feature: Set the background to white and use the app as a flashlight in times of darkness.

Learn more at the product page.

If it's Jan 23rd, 2010, you may not see the app in the iTunes store.  Tomorrow and onward, yes!

 

Filed under  //  app   postit   productivity   task   todo   youdo  
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Posted by Steven Romej