Lukas Gregor Even our Czech meadows and groves have been hit by a wave of popularity of minimalist solutions for RSS readers, mail clients and Twitter clients. First, the design modifications of websites (Helvetireader, Helvetimail, Helvetwitter) were created, then the inspiration was also reflected in applications for iPhone/iPad. Here, however, only to a very limited extent. The use of the Helvetica font and the combination of white and red, and to a lesser extent black and gray became a specific sign.
Not long ago, a minimalistic alternative to Apple's calendar started making its way to the top of the App Store. Calvetica contains all the typical elements of the aforementioned minimalistic Helvet applications and can therefore please a large number of Helvet lovers in the Czech Republic as well.
The first version was very modest in terms of functions, although I wouldn't consider it a minus, because in the case of a minimalist application, the developer has to set limits so that simplicity is not only in the description of the program. At the beginning of September, Calvetica received its update to version 2.0. I am pleased to add that it is a significant leap (for the better), while the minimalist appearance and simplicity of control have not suffered from the addition of additional settings and functions.
And why wouldn't you be reluctant to spend less than three dollars on an app when you have Apple's calendar for free?
First to the features. The application is fast. Yes, it's snappy, snappier than Apple's calendar, it seems. Due to its minimalist nature, the application has done its best - and for this reason, adding events, setting notifications, adding details and moving sub-items is much easier, faster and clearer. Although it does not yet contain it, after the next Calvetica update it will have a weekly view in addition to the monthly and daily view. In addition, you can set whether you want a 24-hour format, which day the week should start, and limit your day (e.g. you don't want to put events in the calendar at a time other than the working time from 8 am to 15 pm). In this case, however, the application does not make it a problem for you to easily switch between the three views of the given day. The full version of the day (that is, all 24 hours), the limited version of the day (the range defined by you) and the limited version of the day (view only of the created events).
Moving items works similarly simply and quickly. By dragging your finger along the line with the event, a menu of buttons will appear, when you select the one to move. After that, a symbol will appear for each hour, which, when tapped, will assign the event to that hour. Of course, it is not a problem to enter the exact time (not just the whole hour).
In Calvetica, you can set different (and several) notification intervals, duration, location, repetition, or assign notes. In the new version, it is also possible to work with all your calendars (and thus assign an event to the selected one). Record not only events occurring in a certain period of time, but also throughout the day.
You can get an ideal idea of what Calvetica can do thanks to the demo video. I really appreciate the website - just like the app, it is also clear, and it also clearly informs about the plans for the future (we can look forward to the iPad version too!). For me, Calvetica has definitely become a nice companion. It cannot be compared with the user interface and control of the original iPhone calendar, the nice red and white Calvetica clearly wins.
can it be synchronized normally with desktop ical?
I'm afraid not
Although I primarily use a paper diary (and therefore a calendar), I also use an electronic one for certain things - and sometimes I enter it into Google Calendar, other times into iCal (or BusyCal, which is such a better version...). There is no problem with Google, iCal, Busy Cal, iCal on iPhone, and Calendar on iPad all containing the same information. And Calvetica has exactly this information.
I really like that. too bad there isn't a desktop version. I really like the design…
Healthy competition is always beneficial, and it's good to have someone on Apple's heels. Personally, I already use iCal only for notification (warning) about events and the graphic form of timed events. For the rest, I use OmniFocus (GTD); if it could notify of events and show the graphic form of the calendar, I don't need iCal or a competitor. In addition, the fact is that I sometimes perceive iCal (at least its iPhone form) as unintuitive, illogical and lacking in some features. I would like to hear a well-founded opinion (after real experience) that the current form of the Calvetica application can be fully replaced (not supplemented) by iCal (including automatic Push(!) synchronization between all Apple devices via the Internet). I have read and seen the manufacturer's page, I would appreciate it if someone could confirm that Calvetica really works better than iCal. It is also possible that Apple will buy the company and finally move the development of iCal.
Hmm, I'll answer myself and confess without torture that only now that your post has made me think more deeply about Calvetica (I'm not stooping for easy search) I've delved a bit more into the developer's site and the user opinions here http://calvetica.com/accolades.html they will probably move me to buy.