Checkmark Review

The Apple Reminders app is a useful tool but it also suffers from being a little too basic at times. Fortunately, there's an app that will fulfill most of the needs that Reminders couldn't achieve: Checkmark.

Checkmark offers location and time aware reminders. It's the kind of app that will work just as well for work based tasks as it will with simple things like grocery shopping, or even just reminding you to go to the cinema. Checkmark's minimalist approach works well, both in terms of its simple yet clear looks and the few taps that are needed to add reminders.

Divided into two sections: Checkmark makes it simple to add reminders depending on where and when. Where takes a few seconds to set up but once organized, reminders are only a tap away. Where works on the basis that users add a location to their reminder, thereby ensuring that the app reminds them of something they need to do when they're near the location. It's a lot like the stock Reminders app but provides some very useful extras. For one thing, there's no need to add locations to contacts to do this. Instead, it's possible to directly add a location. Annoyingly, there's no way of simply dropping a pin on the map but it is easy enough to type in a location and have the app find it.

Once a location and reminder has been added, it's then possible to set up triggers so that Checkmark reminds the user at a certain distance, depending on what's required. It all works smoothly and efficiently, although it's worth noting that such constant use of the GPS functionality might affect the iOS device's battery life negatively.

When is the less exciting side of the app but it works well, providing timed reminders that can also be linked to location based requirements. One downside is it's not possible to add recurring reminders so that the user could be reminded to pick up milk or bread every time they're near the local grocery store, for instance.

Such minor quibbles aside and Checkmark is an immensely useful app. It's all too easy to forget things that need doing, and while Reminders helped to an extent, Checkmark has filled in the gaps admirably.