Everyone's Vertical Calendar

The onboarding reality: no guest mode, no preview

You download the app, open it, and immediately you are faced with a login screen. There is no guest mode. No way to peek at the interface before committing. You need an account, and that means you need a share code from someone who already uses the app. Without that code, the app is useless. This is the first hurdle. It is a deliberate design choice. The app is built for groups, not for individuals. Once you have a code, you enter it and you are in. The main screen is a vertical calendar. It is clean and simple. Items are listed on the left, dates across the top. You tap the intersection to add a schedule. It is intuitive, but only if you know what you are doing.

The app does not offer a tutorial. You are left to figure it out. The top-left menu holds the key functions: Edit Items, Share Calendar, Edit History, and Settings. This is where you manage everything. The lack of guidance can be frustrating. However, the interface is straightforward enough that most users find their way around after a few minutes. The vertical orientation is the standout feature. It fits the phone screen perfectly. You can see a full month at a glance without scrolling sideways. This is a clear advantage over horizontal calendars.

How messaging and calendar sharing interact

The messaging feature is separate from the calendar. You can send messages to all shared users, but these messages are not linked to specific events. This creates a disconnect. If you want to inform everyone about a schedule change, you have to send a message and also update the calendar. The message does not automatically update the calendar. This is a missed opportunity for integration. A more seamless approach would allow messages to be attached to events, so that all context is in one place. However, the app does notify all users when a calendar change is made. This push notification is the bridge between the two features. It ensures that everyone is aware of updates, even if they don't check the calendar regularly.

The share code system is another key interaction. To share a calendar, you generate a code and send it to others. They enter the code and they are in. This is simple and effective. It does not require email addresses or phone numbers. It is privacy-friendly. However, the code is static. If you share it with someone and later want to revoke access, you cannot. The only way is to delete the calendar and start over. This is a limitation. It means you have to trust the people you share with. For family groups, this is usually fine. For larger groups, it could be a problem.

Real-world performance: ads, bugs, and smooth operations

In practice, the app performs well for basic tasks. Adding schedules, editing them, and viewing the calendar are smooth. The push notifications are reliable. They arrive within seconds of a change. This is critical for keeping everyone in sync. The edit history is also useful. You can see who made what change and when. This adds a layer of accountability. However, the app has a significant downside: intrusive ads. Users have reported ads with sound that play unexpectedly. This is annoying and disrupts the experience. The app is free, so ads are expected, but the sound makes them particularly bothersome.

Another issue is the lack of a detailed changelog. The developer only states "Repeating schedules can now use multiple days of the week, the last day of the month, and more." This is vague. Users do not know what else has changed or what bugs have been fixed. This lack of transparency is frustrating. The app also has a one-year inactivity rule for photos. If a calendar is inactive for over a year, photos may be deleted. This is not clearly communicated during onboarding. Users could lose important memories without warning. This is a trust issue.

Data backup and the one-year photo deletion policy

One specific technical detail that stands out is the data backup system. The app backs up your data to the server. You are given an account code to restore data if you change devices. This is a solid feature. It ensures that your schedules and memories are not lost. However, the one-year photo deletion policy is a catch. If a calendar is inactive for over a year, photos may be deleted. This is not clearly stated in the app description. It is buried in the details. Users could lose photos without realizing it. This is a harsh policy. It is likely a cost-saving measure for the developer, but it feels punitive to users. The app also limits free users to 10 photos per month. Premium subscribers can save up to 50% more. This is a clear incentive to upgrade. The app does not, however, allow users to delete their own data permanently. Once it is backed up, it remains on the server. This could be a privacy concern for some users.