Comments on: GMail Does Tasks! Why?

By: Google Putting Together A Cash Cow | Regular Geek

Google Putting Together A Cash Cow | Regular Geek — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:01:17 +0000

[...] suite of applications. We have GMail, and Google Calendar, and the addition of Tasks. I remember asking why they would create a Tasks application when so many good options existed. Because the various [...]

By: Paul Rasmussen

Paul Rasmussen — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:48:55 +0000

The inclusionn of tasks in gmail has gone a long way to making gmails more useful, but until google comes up with a way of linking gmail, tasks and the calendar it will not become a true competitor for microsoft outlook in terms of time and workload management. I have written a number of articles on this subject on my blog.

By: Gmail launches tasks | Freelance Social Media

Gmail launches tasks | Freelance Social Media — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:28:10 +0000

[...] track of what you need to do within Gmail. Sounds great, but Rob over at Regular Geek makes a few valid points on this new app and wonders why they didn’t just team up with a task management system like [...]

By: robdiana

robdiana — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:13:09 +0000

Bdog, I am seeing a lot of people with the same idea as you. It is simple enough and it is in gmail so you do not have to install anything. I still like the partner/purchase idea, but I can understand why.

I have no idea what the RTM code looks like so I can not comment on the “Google standards” idea. Interesting concep though.

By: Bdog2g2

Bdog2g2 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:04:36 +0000

Actually, I think the last paragraph I just meant to say, I like the Consistency. I know I can use Google Apps et al, but I can’t for work or if I check my mail from other places. So having all of it in the browser client w/o widgets, Google Apps, greasemonkey, or any other mods, is the important thing.

By: Bdog2g2

Bdog2g2 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:37:18 +0000

Sup Rob,

One reason RTM wasn’t bought or integrated is, like someone said before, they’re competitors. I don’t feel that’s the reason. Google is VERY picky about who they acquire and its not from the application’s popularity stand point, but rather from the coding.

I have a few friends who work at Google and basically if they’re interested in a property, they go and check it out, if they like the technology, they’ll hand you a copy of their standards and basically say “if you can get your app to match these standards by X time, you’ve got a deal”. That’s one reason they chose Jaiku over Twitter.

And from what I’ve seen at conferences about RTM its still kinda “hacked” in many places and most likely is “dirty” in Googles eyes.

Another point, is I use Gmail’s web client almost exclusively and I don’t like having to switch services or use GreaseMonkey (as its blocked at work), so this is integrated perfectly for someone like me. And its simple unlike RTM almost too-rich feature set.

By: robdiana

robdiana — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:52:40 +0000

Dave and Shannon,

Both of you said something that makes a lot of sense. First, “Tasks” is simple. RTM may be a bit heavy for some people. I always argue that you should go with simple first, and I forgot that in my haste.

By: robdiana

robdiana — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:50:29 +0000

Wade,

The issue I had was that there is no need to have a new task management app. The RTM integration works very well and it would make sense to partner/purchase with a leader. However, I will probably have additional comments on this “event” in the next day or two.