2 min read
The new Google Tasks feature for Google Calendar on Android is now being widely rolled out, following its announcement last week. Version 2024.46.1 of Google Calendar is also being released today via the Play Store. Since it’s a server-side update, you may need to force-stop the app from the details page if it hasn’t appeared yet.
With over 10 million downloads, Google Tasks has seen significant growth, while Google Calendar, pre-installed on Android devices, boasts over 5 billion downloads.
In the top bar of Google Calendar, there is a big Google Tasks icon next to the account switcher, just like on the web. Four actions side-by-side may seem crowded, but the buttons are unique and essential to the program.
The Tasks home screen opens right away when you tap it. The experience is the same as the solo app, except that “Tasks” is not centered at the top. Moreover, the background is a dynamic color that is very different from Google Calendar. The moving action button is still in the same place to make the experience more consistent.
With this upgrade, the Calendar FAB > Task still only allows you to create entries with dates. To make ones that stand alone, you have to use the button in the Tasks view. When you change your Google Account in Tasks, it shows up in Calendar too, and the same goes for Calendar.
If you leave the app while in Tasks and then come back a few minutes later, that view will still be open. In the same way, Google Calendar knows which list or tab you were on last. One reason to still use the separate app is that Google Calendar doesn’t have the “List” button for Google Tasks.
Currently, there are no signs that the specialized app will be removed. Since the two experiences are the same, Google doesn’t have to put in much work to keep the single app up to date. Whether or not this feature will also be available in Calendar for iOS is something that Google has not yet confirmed.
Update: Notifications will come from Google Tasks if both apps are installed. Also, task alerts from both apps now have a “Reschedule” button with more than one choice (thanks Geezagame).
