Fundamental problems from top down

Ive been a Things user for 3 years (iPhone, iPad, Mac). I have used it religiously and my database has hundreds and hundreds of tasks and projects, both scheduled into the future and recurring. But I am fed up and leaving for Todoist, even though it will take me a month to migrate!

Why? Cultured Code doesnt take care of its software or users. I have become trapped in software I am not happy with and thats poorly supported, even if it does work okay, syncs reasonably well (no, not perfectly) and has a decent UI. None of those are worth writing home about, and I think the shortcoming outweigh the benefits, but I digress.

See, Things 3 was announced in 2013 I believe and is still only in Alpha testing for iPhone and Beta on Mac. (Makes me wonder how they will release them together.) Still, Cultured Code keeps their users poorly updated on its progress so I have little hope or excitement for their release, if that ever happens.

But Things 3 is the only hope for this app to keep up with competitors and correct its own shortcomings (eg add collaboration, time-based reminders, sub-projects to name a few). But when will it ever arrive!?

Still, theres a bigger problem.

The poor approach to Things 3 reveals how broken Cultured Code is. I have had numerous poor Customer Service experiences and cases where they said they know of the bugs and shortcomings that plague the app, but they have no plan to fix bugs because they are concentrating on Things 3 instead. Gee thanks!

And when Things 3 arrives, what kind of support will they offer? How will they handle the bugs?They clearly cant keep up if it has taken 3 years to make a beta product and a WatchOS version. That also shows their messed up priorities. More users want Things 3 than a WatchOS version. I wonder if they suffer from Shiny Object Syndrome or just wanted the WatchOS version for themselves, so they prioritized it over upgrading their core product.

My advice on this app: dont invest your To Do system in Things because youll be trapped. Look very hard at the alternatives. Judge them not only on features and UI but also on the mentality of the developer. Task management software is an investment and Cultured Code will not take care of you. For me, the alternative was a toss up between Todoist (get a trial as a Business user even if you arent) and OmniFocus, and I employ Workflowy as an external brain as well (brilliant app). For you, go experiment and find out. Just please dont settle with Things.

If youve made it this far and arent sure whether to trust my review, go take a look at the discussions @cukturedcode is having on Twitter. Deflecting requests and inquiries from users left, right and centre. Yuck.

My advice to Cultured Code: a done something is better than a perfect nothing. Hire some staff and get things/Things done!

Scrambly34 about Things, v2.8.5