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OmniFocus 1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch available on App Store

by Linda Sharps on June 18, 2009

The OmniFocus team has been hard at work lately, and we're geeked to let you know that version 1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch is now available. OmniFocus 1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch leverages many of the new capabilities in the iPhone OS 3.0 software update, including cut, copy and paste, integrated Maps and more. If you read Brian's article on location-based contexts, you know how OmniFocus works with Location Services—OmniFocus 1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch now displays nearby context categories of possible tasks using a map. Just touch a pin to see all the tasks within the corresponding context category. 

NOW YOUR TASKS WILL HAUNT YOU WHEREVER YOU GO! Er, I mean, smell the unparalleled productivity!

The app also now features a new Search screen for easily searching through projects and actions, and a new Repeat screen enables the quick set-up of repeating actions and projects. Web links can render directly inside the application itself for quicker viewing. Other new features include “due date” display for each Action list, and direct feedback email to the Omni Group from within the application itself.

What are you waiting for? To the App Store with you, mister/missy, and grab the new version.

 

Comments

You could probably get there on Metro 15 or 18 bus… : )

Ryan

06.18.09 6:35 AM

Is OmniFocus for the iPhone a stand-alone app or does it require the desktop version of OmniFocus?

mick

06.18.09 6:44 AM

You can absolutely use it as a standalone app.

Linda

06.18.09 6:55 AM

look forward to testing this now

Franz

06.18.09 7:00 AM

OF 1.5 does not appear as update on my 3.0-upgraded iPod touch. And in the app list, I only have a buy option, but no update option.

Please tell me that 1.2.3 to 1.5 is a free update? If so, why can't I update?

Jon

06.18.09 7:27 AM

Am confused!  When I find a location it takes me into google maps out of Omnifocus and doesn't list the task at that location at all…..is it because I'm in the UK? This could be brilliant - at the moment it's frustrating….

Kate McKenzie

06.18.09 7:28 AM

And the due date isn't showing…..aaggghhrr!

Kate McKenzie

06.18.09 7:30 AM

I would also like to know whether this is a free update or not. After having paid $80 for the desktop app, and another $20 for the iPhone app, I would not appreciate having to pay again already!

Rob

06.18.09 8:24 AM

Is it a free upgrade for existing OF users for the iPhone?

Todd

06.18.09 8:30 AM

[...] full blog post for this latest version can be found at the OmniGroup Blog. The OmniFocus for iPhone product page is also worth checking [...]

iPhone 3.0 Update Improves GTD Productiivty Applic

06.18.09 8:47 AM

Still no way to change the max distance that is used for “Nearby” tasks though. I am presented with EVREY task as Nearby if it is in the same metropolitan area. Generally if I want my nearby tasks, I don't want anything that is a 90 min drive away.

michael

06.18.09 9:02 AM

[...] Read more from the original source:  The Omni Mouth » OmniFocus 1.5 for iPhone and iPod touch available … [...]

The Omni Mouth » OmniFocus 1.5 for iPhone an

06.18.09 11:24 AM

Jon - The App Store servers don't appear to all be informed about new versions at the same time; some get the info before others.


If the app store isn't showing the new version yet, you can either try again in a day or so, or try from one of your other machines and hope it gets routed to a server that does know about the new version.

Brian

06.18.09 11:40 AM

You have NO idea how tough it's been on we pioneering iPhone 2G users to wait all this time to upgrade. EDGE is fine for the most part, but we've been getting itchy waiting our contracts out. I can't wait to dig into 3G and goodies like this.

joe c

06.18.09 11:43 AM

The update is indeed free; this is just a confusing part of the App Store interface.


If you ensure that you're using the same iTunes account you used when you originally purchased, you'll be able to get the update for free.


Once you tap the “Buy” button, your device will check with the app store servers and see that you own the app. You'll then see a “You have already purchased this; would you like to download it again for free?” dialog.


It would be nice if the device did that check without making you tap a “Buy” button first, but that's something Apple needs to change on their end. :-)

Brian

06.18.09 11:44 AM

(To ensure that you're using the same iTunes account as you originally purchased from, check the email address that appears at the bottom of the “Featured” screen in the iTunes app against the address your purchase receipt was mailed to. If they match, you're fine.)

Brian

06.18.09 11:45 AM

Kate - it sounds like you're using one of the earlier builds of OmniFocus for iPhone.


If you open up the Settings screen of the application and scroll to the bottom, you can see what version you have installed. If you see something other than “Version 1.5”, that's why you're not seeing the new features.


The settings screen is accessible from a button on the Home screen of the app. If you don't see a button labeled “Settings”, you want the rightmost button in the toolbar at the bottom; it should look like the letter “i” inside a circle. (The button is visible in the screenshot included in the article.)

Brian

06.18.09 11:50 AM

I'm disappointed at one feature that didn't make it into OS 3: apps still can't synch via iTunes.


Is there any chance synchronization will become a little more automatic via push?

ben

06.18.09 2:32 PM

Why no support for the landscape keyboard??  In my opinion, it's one of the most compelling improvements to the iPhone.  I want to see it in OmniFocus for the iPhone.  Please?


George

George

06.18.09 3:21 PM

I take it the “list” button in the top right of the screenshot will switch back to the old way of displaying nearby contexts/actions? If so, can it be set as the default display method?

Jan

06.18.09 6:28 PM
Team Member

Ben: Push notifications can only do one of three things: change the badge on the app icon, play a sound, or display a notification. Notifications can't actually run any of our code, so we can't use them to do any sort of synchronization.


George: We've added experimental support for the landscape keyboard in OmniFocus 1.5 which you can enable under Settings.  It's still experimental because we haven't figured out ideal landscape layouts for some of the screens yet—you may need to rotate back to portrait on some screens for them to be usable.  We plan to iron out the rest of the landscape wrinkles for version 1.5.2.


Jan: Yes, the “List” button switches back to the old way of displaying nearby contexts/actions. There isn't a way to make that the default yet in 1.5, but there will be soon: 1.5.1 automatically remembers whichever mode you were using last and returns to that mode.

Ken Case

06.18.09 10:56 PM

Brian, thanks for your help. I managed to get the update by downloading it through iTunes, rather than through the iPod directly.


Great work!

Jon

06.18.09 11:19 PM

My names match but the store only offers the new $20 purchase option…  what should I do now?

alan

06.19.09 4:31 AM

OK, resolved the App store issue here—apparently Apple's server did not update both versions at the same time?

alan

06.19.09 4:52 AM

I understand that Push notifications only go so far. But could there be a way that when an item's due date gets within the two-days from now range, the badge on the icon could automatically update to reflect the current number of items due soon? My data is being synched in the cloud via MobileMe. The sync itself could happen after the app is launched on the iPhone. I just want that notice of upcoming items to be an accurate reflection of my actual upcoming items due soon without having to launch. This way, I would know without launching that at least SOMETHING new was due soon, and I'd better check what it is. Same would go if an item is completed and then marked completed in the desktop app. When that desktop app was synced, could it push that numerical info to the badge?


Not sure of the technological limitations, here. Just wondering if there were some way to incorporate push into the app to make that number more accurate without launching and doing a complete sync.

JC

06.20.09 9:34 AM

Search does not work in non-english languages.


In Japanese, we have to type two letters, say 'm' and 'a' to construct a Hiragana.


But as soon as I type the first letter, the search kicks in and I can't type further Japanese into it.

mehori

06.21.09 8:30 AM

Please, please allow perspective syncing.  I really, really, need to be able to see tasks on my iPhone sorted by start date.


Please?

Jason Stewart

06.21.09 4:55 PM

The problem I have with Omnifocus is that the UI aesthetic, especially when compared to Things and Midnight Inbox, is not nearly as well implemented. Mac users are people who actually care about this stuff. OmniFocus tends to do great on features and function, but not so much on form, and good form can provide additional utility.


Like how about increasing the pixel width border between Due Soon dates on the iPhone app so one can more readily see at a glance the division of days. Or add the day to the date, like “Mon. 6-22-09” so we don't have to try to recall what the day is staring at the date. Or make the icon badge “due soon” separate from the due soon duration in the app itself—if I set it for a week to review all my tasks, seeing a badge with 100 tasks on it isn't helpful as a badge that lists only today's total. Or make it open to any view I want, like the Due Soon view. And maybe it would be better to have the date as the border (like location is for the Nearby list) with the time in the lower right corner.


Example:

Monday, June 22, 2009

[ ] Walk dog

  Misc             4:00 pm

[ ] Dinner

  Misc             6:00 pm

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

[ ] Pick up brother from airport

  Misc             12:00 pm

[ ] Mail letter

  Misc             3:00 pm


This would make it more consistent with and parallel to the Nearby list.


And when I hit the Nearby button I get an Omnifocus “back” button, but when I hit the Settings button there is no Omnifocus “back” button, so I have to think for a second, Oh, crap, how do I get out of this screen. Again, consistency in the UI provides utility.

Bill

06.22.09 2:27 AM

The examples above should have the time justified to the right side. Somehow it got moved to the left wen I posted the message.

Bill

06.22.09 2:29 AM

First, well done!


I'm a Windows refugee that started with an Outlook implementation of GTD, then migrated to Toodledo. I now hope to have found GTD nirvana with OmniFocus.


Two questions:


1. Will sync support come for est. time?

2. How about the ability for multiple locations for a context ( e.g. @groceries)


Thanks!

Elmer Thomas

06.28.09 5:03 AM

RememberTheMilk uses Push Notifications to alert you to something becoming due, such as “call home” at 7pm.


http://blog.rememberthemilk.com/2009/06/introducing-push-notifications-for-rtm-for-iphone-ipod-touch/


Will OmniFocus support the Push Notifications feature that RememberTheMilk now does?

Turadg

06.28.09 7:23 AM

I agree with Turadg.  For me, the killer Omnifocus for iPhone feature would be the RTM push notification feature for tasks set for an alarm.  Right now, I have to leave Omnifocus for certain “reminder” type tasks and put them in the calendar.  This is awkward, and keeps me from using Omnifocus for all of my tasks.  I also agree with Jason Stewart that support for perspectives for omnifocus for iPhone would be great.  The app as it is now doesn't let me view my tasks in the same way as I do on the desktop.  I have to occasionally hunt for a task on the iphone that is visible the way I want it on the desktop.

Josh Leonard

06.29.09 7:29 AM

I see mention of push notifications in some of the comments in this thread.  Are you looking to implement this function in future versions?  What features would you use it for?

pruppert

06.30.09 5:11 PM

I'm a little late to this forum, but I've worked out a way to get Push Notifications from OF.  I leave OF running on my desktop, and have Growl notifications enabled.  I have Prowl on my iPhone (I think it's 3 bucks…) that forwards any Growl notification to my iPhone as a Push.  Works like a charm.

Jimmy

01.01.10 5:31 AM
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