zach pippin

This next step has been, perhaps, my most hesitant. I’m still not 100% satisfied with the Google solution, but am doing my best to get used to it. I have replaced iCal use with Google Calendar.

The good:

Like iCal, Google allows me to have different calandars, with different colors. I can share events or whole calendars with other Google users. As with all things Google, it’s web based, therefore accesible on any computer with an internet connection. Again, however, I am also able to access my calendar  offline via Google Gears plugin and the new offline feature in GoogleCalendar Labs[again with a dock icon].

The Bad:

I don’t have a smartphone, but use iPod touch. The calendar feature on this can only sync with iCal. I must sync my GoogleCalendar with iCal to view all of my events on my iPod. I’m can only sync one calendar with iCal and keep it viewable on my iPod, therefore limiting me to one calendar on Google. Also, I am not able to add or edit events to my GoogleCalendar via iPod. I’m forced to create a second calendar specifically for iPod adding, then sync the iPod update to iCal, then drag them to my GoogleCalendar. This would not be a problem if I wasn’t using and iPhone OS device, but I’ll save that for another post.

Final Verdict:

I’ll stick with the Gcal. It’s a bit of a pain with the iPod restrictions, but I don’t do enough updates for it to be prohibitive, mostly just use it to view events. With nearly identical in app use, web based advantage, and integration with other Google products, I’d recommend using Google Calendar for you calendar needs.