Forum Posts Feed
Disappointing "updates" - Asana & Todoist
< Next Topic | Back to topic list | Previous Topic >
Posted by Ken
Sep 22, 2015 at 05:01 AM
I logged into both Asana and Todoist this weekend and was greeted with links to blog posts about their new updates. Often times, these companies release minor updates with little to no notice, and they do so as bugs are usually addressed. So, when they announced their new updates in blog posts, I assumed that there were major changes, especially for Todoist as they do not blog nearly as much as the folks at Asana. After reading the announcements and looking at the programs, all I can say is that I am very underwhelmed. Todoist claims they spent a year on this update, and the major “improvements” are a new logo, new fonts, and new check boxes that are now circular like radio buttons.
It took a year to accomplish this, really? I somewhat understand the need to keep products fresh to attract new users, but it seems like many of the larger web-based software companies are obsessed with window dressing features and changes these days. I would really like to know their game plan, because they certainly are catching flack in their blog post comment sections from paying users. I cannot count the number of users who took them to task for violating basic UI standards by turning check boxes into circles that resemble radio buttons. Is this the best that we can expect from companies like this? It seems like fashion and form have completely trumped function in the world of web-based software. Todoist has upgraded its logo every four years and is now on its third iteration, but they still have key features missing from their software that have been requested for years. Am I just “old school” and being unreasonable to think that providing customers with a good product is the driver to success, or am I just not understanding how to succeed in the world of web-based software today?
—Ken
Posted by Luhmann
Sep 22, 2015 at 07:07 AM
While I was disappointed that some long standing requests were not implemented in Todoist, I think there were some significant updates in the web/desktop/chrome version, if not on iOS. Namely: quick search is great and a major usibility improvement. Improved natural language engine. And the ability to enter notes while creating a new task.
With so many platforms supported, Todoist has to be very conservative about making any changes. These three things all make the app significantly better and will hopefully soon be ported to iOS as well.
I still wish they’d implement start dates, but I’m happy with this update.
Posted by MadaboutDana
Sep 22, 2015 at 11:01 AM
Have to say, I agree that the new version of Todoist is a huge improvement, above all because it’s faster and more consistent across platforms.
It now has proper folding in its Mac and iOS incarnations (a long-missing feature), and is much more responsive both as a desktop app and online.
Personally, I like the hugely simplified interface, too. In fact, I’m currently reevaluating it, having sacked it as my main task manager a couple of years ago.
Posted by MadaboutDana
Sep 22, 2015 at 02:16 PM
Good things about Todoist: the nested hierarchical view (if you click on a folder, you can see the full hierarchy of child folders and their contents in the view/editor screen).
Bad things: that only works for the desktop/online versions; in the iOS version, you have to be in a specific folder before you can view its contents. But it’s not a big deal.
Posted by Ken
Sep 22, 2015 at 04:14 PM
Thank you for pointing out some actual changes worthy of an update (that seemed somewhat buried in their announcements). I will take another look at Todoist to see if I can notice these changes/improvements as they were not really observed on first glance after the announcement. Perhaps some of these changes are not in my normal work flow, like natural language, since I am just not a fan of programs guessing my intentions when I enter words.
Regarding Asana, they keep tinkering with their layout, and I applaud them for attempting to improve the product, but they just do not seem to understand where to clean up the clutter parts of their UI. Seasoned users have pointed out these issues to them over and over, but again, it just seems like their agenda is being driven by other needs. Thankfully, neither has been screwed up over the years, but the potential for a better program seems so close that it seems frustrating when it appears that they spend so much time on logos and colors.
—Ken