GTasks for Android Review

by Pete Daniel on 15 February 2015 · 3124 views

Rather than being a standalone task management which stored its own task list in its own format, GTasks is based around the Google task management system and shares the same basic features of this.

Dated tasks entered into GTasks can be seen within Google Calendar which is a real plus. Data is synced direct to the Google servers when new tasks are entered or edited. This can be either a blessing or a curse depending on whether you really want Google to know every task you have planned, you use Google Tasks already and whether you like the ability to try Gtasks but switch out of it later and not lose your tasks because Google still have them.

Material Design for Android

The Android version has been updated with Material Design to bring it up to date and compatible with Android 5.0 Lollipop. The app for Android requires that it is not moved over to the SD card to preserve device storage as that will cause functionality issues including the disappearance of the widget functionality.

What you get with GTasks is your basic task management software. Fast entry of tasks one after the other, link up to the calendar to set due dates, and other typical features

User Interface

The user interface for the Android app depends whether it is being used via a smart phone or tablet.

The smart phone version shows the task list with other screen sliding into position when entries or adjustments are needed. The task lists can be swiped out from the left side which will reveal the selectable lists and what account is currently logged in with Gtasks (different Google tasks may have been added to different Google accounts).

With the tablet view in landscape, tasks are shown down the left side of the screen, notes for a selected task displayed in the center, with the right side reserved for the dated calendar for the task and any reminders set.

Task Creation and Editing

The main task list offers a streamlined way to enter new tasks quickly in a batch-like process. Both task and sub tasks can be added.

Any tasks within a task list are displayed neatly and grouped into dated and undated categories. Due dates and an alarm icon is shown to the right of any relevant task. At the top is the option to run a search on the tasks or change the sorting system.

Tasks can be moved around by simply dragging and dropping them. Horizontal scrolling can be used to switch between task lists and the tasks within them.

Tasks can be sorted by name, due date, creation time or priority.

Setting Reminders

Reminders are fully supported with GTasks. Use the calendar to select a date. Configure multiple alarms over periods of time to remind yourself. Also configure if a task is a one time event or a regularly occurring one.

Available Apps

There is both an Android app and an iOS app. Both of these apps will display well on tablets on Android and iOS respectively.

Widgets

There are useful widgets with Gtasks which can be added to the Android home screen to provide useful app information. The widgets will not function if the app has been transferred to the SD card within the mobile device though.

Verdict

GTasks is a very capable little task manager. The interface is clean and simple with two nicely configured layouts where the Android tablet layout is easier to use and better organized. For a basic task manager that works with Google Tasks in a compatible way include tasks showing up in the Google Calendar you cannot go too far wrong with Gtasks. Works with Gmail Tasks add-on to Gmail to view Task lists.