Flexibits released an upgraded version of its popular calendar app called Fantastical 2 for the iPhone. This new iteration was created specifically for iOS 7. Among its bragging rights comes a redesigned interface, the addition of reminders, an improved parser, background app refreshing, landscape mode support, a new TextExpander keyboard, and more.
Unfortunately, Fantastical 2 is available as a separate application, meaning that existing users cannot tap on the “update” button in the App Store. Furthermore, it is priced at $4.99, although available at $2.99 for a limited time.
In addition, if you have iOS 6 or older, Fantastical 2 is not going to work on your device.
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Some of the biggest new features includes improved reminder support. Of note is the ability to set reminders directly from the Reminders list or a new event screen. Users can also set dates, times, and any geo-fence parameters to their reminders (e.g. “Remind me about my lunch appointment if I walk 1 mile away from my desk“).
What’s more, the parser engine can help you set better reminders just by looking at its description. Through the use of keywords such as “reminder”, “todo”, “task”, or “remind me to”, Fantastical 2 can automatically set a reminder. Dates and repeating events can also be used to set reminders and alerts — just use a phrase like “remind me tomorrow at 3pm.”
One of the new features that isn’t available in the first version includes landscape support. However, Flexibits hasn’t simply flipped the calendar on its side. Instead, it’s fixed on the weekly view, giving you the ability to see what’s happening across your entire week.
Speaking of screen real estate, Flexibits has also integrated a TextExpander keyboard that fits across a 4-inch screen and permits typing of letters and numbers all without having to switch keyboards. This feature is only available on devices with a 4-inch screen, including the iPhone 4s, 5, 5c, and 5s.
Other features one will see in Fantastical 2 includes localization for four new languages (besides English): French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Will an Android version be coming out soon? Not likely, says company co-founder Michael Simmons. However, it is working on developing an iPad version. Simmons says that when it’s created, it will have a whole new take on Fantastical, simply because of the available screen real estate.
Fantastical 2 for iPhone is Flexibit’s latest attempt at creating what it believes is the best calendar app in the marketplace today. It’s not focused on doing what Donna, Tempo, or any of the countless other services being used — the product is focused on helping users add, edit, and manage their schedules better than everyone else — a mission that it keeps to this day.
If you have Fantastical 1 for iPhone and you install this upgrade, Flexibits says that your preferences will carry over, preventing you from having to reset everything.
See related: 10 of the best iOS calendar apps
Photo credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
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