Winner of the 2008 Apple Design Award for Best iPhone Productivity Application, OmniFocus brings task management to your fingertips. Keep track of tasks by project, place, person, or date. Bring up a shopping list, agenda items to discuss at work, things to do at home, and any other lists you need.
"OmniFocus for the iPhone is one of the best examples of a great iPhone app that I've seen. The interface is simple, intuitive, and it just lets you get your stuff done." — iPhone Alley Editors Choice Award 2009, ★★★★★
"Finding the right application to manage your tasks is great, and it's even better when there's a companion app for your iPhone or iPod touch. OmniFocus for the iPhone is a perfect example: It fits well with its Desktop brother, includes the features you need to organize your tasks, builds task lists based on your current location, captures voice notes and pictures, and synchronizes with your Mac via MobileMe or WebDAV servers. " — Mac Observer Editors Choice Award 2009
Use OmniFocus for iPhone on its own, or sync through the cloud with other copies of OmniFocus (for iPad, iPhone, or Mac).
FEATURES
- Plan in projects, work in contexts: Organize tasks by goals using projects, then work towards those goals more efficiently by grouping tasks using contexts
- Cloud sync: Synchronize your tasks with other copies of OmniFocus using MobileMe or Omni's free sync.omnigroup.com
- Due date notifications: Calendar notifications let you know when a task is coming due, whether or not you're running OmniFocus at the time
- Quick Entry: Create a new task anywhere in the app, or by sending tasks from other apps such as Safari and Twittelator
- Subtasks: Break large tasks up into more manageable steps you can complete and track individually
- Attachments: Attach pictures, audio, or other reference documents to your task notes, and synchronize them with other copies of OmniFocus
- Nearby contexts: Plan your day's errands by listing nearby contexts or viewing them on a map
- Search: Built-in search helps you quickly find any task in your database
- Trusted system: Data integrity is our top priority, and our support ninjas are available to help you out of any jam
For more information, please watch the video on our website, or try OmniFocus on an iPhone at an Apple Store near you!
SUPPORT
If you have any feedback or questions, we'd love to hear from you! The Omni Group offers free tech support: you can reach us by email at omnifocus@omnigroup.com, by phone at 1-800-315-6664 or +1-206-523-4152, or on twitter at @omnifocus.
The Omni Group offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all of our apps. If you find that you're unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason, please email sales@omnigroup.com.
Thank you! 2008-2011 The Omni Group
OmniFocus for iPhone reviewed by Users
Excellent for productivity with some practice If you have ever had a great thought pop into your head with nowhere to put it, only to think to yourself later, "Oh I remember there was some thought I wanted to capture, but now I can't remember what it was...", then this is the app for you.Before purchasing this app, I had no experience with the GTD methodology nor the desktop version of Omnifocus. I finally decided on this app over "Things" and could not be happier. It took half a day to get familiar with OmniFocus by watching the videos on the site and playing with the app, after which I hit the ground running.This is very flexible app that can be used for both short-term and long-term goals. Use it for a quick to-do list for the day, a weeks' worth of errands, and even long term projects that so far you have yet to make much progress on. OmniFocus allows you to specify if related actions can be performed all at once or one after another. All at once is perfect for shopping lists or chores. Taks in sequence is ideal for focusing your attention for more invloved projects so you can make progress without feeling overwhelmed. Here's some tips that helped me to make the most of it:Watch the videos for both the desktop version and the iPhone app. This demonstrates the simple process of building your task list with the simple acronym COD. First you COLLECT your thoughts into the "inbox" as they come into your head. Once you have everything down that comes to you, ORGANIZE each thought into related actions and what order (if applicable) they should be done in. When you have your plan, OmniFocus shows only the information you need to go and DO them.If you have trouble using contexts effectively, I found it helpful to create contexts that are either an activity or an object. For example, activities I use are: shopping, errands, homework, chores. Within each context you can create another context, this time associated with a location. Under "errands" I have: Midas, Walgreens, Post Office. Now when assigning a context to an item in the inbox, I think of what type of activity I would be doing if working on that task. If that doesn't make sense, I think of what object or tool I will have to use, such as "computer" for the "reply to email" task. If I have to go to a specific location for that activity, I can create and assign that context to it. For example, in order to ship my flat rate box, I need to visit the post office, so I assign the "errands: post office" context to that task. Alternatively, if the task requires a computer with software I don't have, I may assign the "computer: Library" context. This makes great use of the feature in OmniFocus where you can literally assign addresses or keyword business searches (just like when using maps) to a location context and display tasks by proximity to your current location.Occasionally the app runs sluggish and it has crashed on me a few times, but I have heard of several apps crashing so that makes me think it is more of a problem with apps in general and not specifically OmniFocus. In other words it is a temporary problem.
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Version 1.0.1
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Jul 22, 2008
- OmniFocus for iPhone review by
the Langolier
Great for power users of GTD; big disappointment for others Don't buy this unless you're already a user and fan of the desktop edition of OmniFocus. Launching OmniFocus is like dropping into the cockpit of a $270,000 performance sports car. People who know how to use it will (correctly) insist that there is no greater articulation of elegance, power and performance on the road today. The AVERAGE user will sit there in the parking lot getting increasingly frustrated and wondering why the bloody hell they can't get it moving. The performance user in the passenger seat will assure you that once you watch a demo video and read a book that explains the philosophy of the car, you'll get the hang of it. The average user will then say "I have to take a weekend course just to successfully drive 18 miles to the Waffle Hut?"Suffice to say that I've spent about a half an hour with OmniFocus and I still have no idea how to make it show me every task I've entered that's related to writing. So: OmniFocus and hardcore GTD fans, rejoice. Everyone else: avoid. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Ihnatko
I've actually installed it. Seems like there are a lot of 1-star reviews that say "I won't pay $20 for this!"
Fair enough, but reviews are for people who have used the application, not a place for protest voting.
I have used OmniFocus and the syncing to desktop is worth every penny. Location aware contexts are pretty amazing too - in fact, I never really grokked contexts until using the iPhone version of OmniFocus.
Docked one star because syncing is sometimes sluggish. I hear there's an option to remove archived items to speed this up, but I haven't tried that yet.
Very impressive, esecially for a v1 with a fixed release date and a brand new SDK. Looking forward to future versions. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Jragon
Worth the price and more This is great, the iPhone app I have waited a year for. With the 1.1 sync it is well worth the $20 price tag. I think the people complaining about the price have not tried it full out. The location feature alone is worth it, I have downloaded the 1.1 sneak peak from OmniGroup; it took very little time for me to sync. Setting up the locations is nice too, you can search by business name or put in an address if you like. With the Business name, Apple for example, it will find the nearist Apple Store to you at that time. For me this is the best 2.0 software app I have tried yet, Monkey Ball is fun too. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by happyduck42
Very Close to the Perfect App I was a little disappointed to see OmniFocus at $19.99 after paying the big bucks for the Mac version only about a year ago, but this app is worth every penny. OmniGroup did an incredible job, and thought of everything. OmniFocus on the Mac was good, but I'm often out of reach of my computer, so it wasn't perfect. Putting that power in the palm of my hand...now that's perfect.Great job, guys! Absolutely brilliant. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Someone Else's Joe
Great start! It may be a little pricier than other apps, but if you really want to do GTD the way it's supposed to be done, you can't beat OmniFocus. There are certainly improvements that can be made on both the desktop and iPhone app, but the great thing about the Omni Group is that you know they will. I'm still eagerly anticipating being able to sync my desktop and iPhone version, but it's pretty clear to me that the iPhone version itself is so good it can (and most likely will) be used as a stand alone app for many users. Great job guys, and keep up the great work! - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Homunc
Omni Group brings excellence to iPhone The Omni Group has done a terrific job of bringing their OmniFocus application to the iPhone. This is what you've been waiting for with regards to task management on the iPhone. For those who don't use OmniFocus under Mac OS X - don't fret. OmniFocus works fantastically as a stand-alone iPhone app. Highly recommended, with or without the desktop companion. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Dr. Bertz
Slow, too slow I have a large database, and this mobile version of the app is a little slow. It's almost unusably slow. Each page is slow to load and the startup time is pretty terrible.
I'm guessing that the app wouldn't be so sluggish with a smaller database, but the standard omnifocus user probably has a pretty big selection of stuff, so I'm a bit disappointed with the speed.
Other than that, it's probably what you'd expect. High quality, but needs a faster processor. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by mahuti
Doesn't easily sync with desktop counterpart Caution: As of today, this app does not easily sync your data with its desktop counterpart. Syncing requires moving your data back and worth between devices (iPhone, iMac) and a 3rd party server (WebDav, iDisk). It's not a matter of simply plugging your phone into its jack and sitting back while iTunes does the work, and it is not easy to set up. Also, if you do want to try the "sync" you must upgrade the desktop software to version 1.1, which is free but also in the alpha stage. Nicely designed apps, but the implementation here is an epic fail by the Omni Group. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Rebort
Great product, worth the money For me the biggest feature OmniFocus provides (besides syncing with the desktop version) is location based todo lists. Most days of my life are full of the "where am I and what should I be doing right now" instances, and this app provides this functionality. $19.95 is more than worth it for me.Also for those who have not used or read about the Getting Things Done workflow, please realize that this really is MORE than just a todo list. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by mrzarquon
Works great even without desktop version. I'm currently using the iPhone version by itself because I'm waiting for version 1.1 of the desktop verion before purchasing. The iPhone version works great on it's own. I look forward to being able to sync with my mac's once 1.1 is ready. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by mummey
OmniFocused Explained So I installed this and thought the location feature was cool... I then downloaded a trial of the desktop software and followed the sample tasks directions to learn about omnifocus, including watching their intro video that explains it. It is not that complicated once you have them show you around like that. There are several simple checklist software for the iPhone available, if that is what you are looking for, go elsewhere. Here's the short version: Projects=Anything that requires more than 1 physical action (ex. cleaning out garage), Contexts=Locations where you perform actions (Home), Action= a Task or a single, physical action to be completed (buy shelves for garage). Steps to using OmniFocus iPhone:1. Create a Context for each major location that you perform lots of actions (Home, Work, Mac, Phone (for calls, etc.) - you can even nest these (Phone under Work, and Phone under Home). If the Context has a physical location then put in the address to use GPS side of software (ie for Home enter your home address).2. dump your brain into inbox - get all the stuff out of your head and into OmniFocus, but don't worry about contexts or projects just yet. 3. Then go through everything in your inbox and group the items into projects if possibleHere is what makes this stand out:1. Synching to a desktop program2. GPS aware contexts (locations where you perform actions) - Nearby tasks to perform3. Desktop software is fast and easy to enter in tasks - much faster than any web-based GTD solution.4. Has inbox add button readily available, for those random tasks that pop into your head.5. has GPS button readily available to quickly see what Actions are nearby.6. Action entry is quick, touch the Add button, type the task, then touch save. Other software you have to touch Add, Title, type task, touch save, then touch save.There are some web-based apps like Remember the Milk, and Toodledo, but I personally think software is better than web-based because no matter how fast your internet connection is it is not as fast as your computer. The only advantage of web-based software is if you have multiple computers, but synching in OmniFocus overcomes that hurdle.Competitors:Things - not polished, too many steps to enter stuff. I found it to be buggy and didn't sync yet. The desktop software is beta while omnifocus is developed and used by some of the top GTD gurus for a reason. They get things done.Todo - Works well with Toodledo, but toodledo is more complicated than omnifocus IMHO. No location awareness.Bottom-line the software does help me focus. Normally I have so many random tasks and thoughts in my brain, of things I need to do, that I easily get sidetracked. With GTD and OmniFocus I now am sticking to my task lists in the current context and get them done. I always know what I need to do next by looking at my iPhone, rather than digging into my head that has a thousand projects to be done. Now my head is clearer, and I no longer feel the need to do things out of context (do work at home or do personal stuff ot work). I am no longer distracted by "oh no! I need to..." that used to pop up in my head and interupt whatever I was doing at the time. Those are all out of my head and into digital form.Drop $100 and get the desktop and iPhone versions. If time is money, then this is worth much more... What's your time worth? - OmniFocus for iPhone review by HullBody
Great for a seasoned GTD user, for the rest, try Things Thankfully, I took the less expensive way out on this software trial. I laid out the $20 for the iPhone based version (as a trial wasn't offered), and then downloaded the Sneaky Peek version of OF from the OmniGroup website (which costs another $80 in addition to the $100 me.com subscription needed to sync over-the-air).I was originally drawn to this product because of the ability to sync. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get the hang of the GTD format of this iPhone app and its companion version. I needed more flexibility and could never quite figure out what I should do with "contexts."While this is a GREAT option for devotees of the GTD method, for those of us that don't have the time, patience, or ability to learn a new task management system, Things beats this app hands down. And while the creators of Things don't have the sync function down quite yet, they promise it is coming soon, and their companion Apple-based program is a joy to use. I re-entered all my OF data (by hand) into Things in a matter of 30 minutes, then went about seamlessly organizing and classifying my tasks. Now, I am left with over 120 individual tasks, but only 12 that require action today - all shown through my "Starred" items.Great job OmniGroup! But for lazy folk like me, I prefer Things. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by jakehgonzales
Great product, I'd give it 10 stars if I could. This is a terrific product. A good compliment if you have the full version on your Mac but also very good on its own. I sincerely hope people grow up and stop rating things they haven't tried based on their opinion of the cost. The cost is clearly stated and no one needs help deciding whether or not it is too expensive for them. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Gino G
Awesome app Syncing works great over WebDav; unfortunate about price but if it's useful to you, the productivity gain is almost priceless. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by Zeppomedio
Awesome App! I love OmniFocus on my Mac and now having it on my iPhone is totally invaluable. The interface is great and the sync works very well. It's so good it makes me wonder if I'll be using the desktop version much! - OmniFocus for iPhone review by brian6504
This app alone makes buying a iphone worthwhile. Working with this app for 1 day has improved my life. I've been using OmniFocus on my mac since it came out, but putting in on my iphone where I actually do things is a sanity saver for me. Thanks OmniGroup!Mike - OmniFocus for iPhone review by ohtinsel
Fantastic app This is a fantastic app that works seamlessly with its desktop counterpart. The location aware features are a real boon. Well worth the $20, particularly considering how much this will save you in productivity. - OmniFocus for iPhone review by briankc
Might be nice... if it worked. Okay, so it seems to me that most people who have reviewed this were either out to kill it and sing its praises. I am here to do neither, just give you the unvarnished facts of my experience. I bought the desktop version of this around the first of the year and liked it. I was looking forward to getting this on my phone since work has me at lots of locations. So imagine my thrill when the upgrade was available and I could plunk down my $20 for this app. Well the fun ends there. I cannot migrate my database... so I have to start over I guess. You can currently use this only with their "sneaky-peaky" alpha version... which I found out after banging my head against the wall, and inspite of upgrading to an alpha (cough) and accepting that I would have to recreate all my data because nothing can read the old format... I still cannot get it to sync. I left SWQA to not have to do this for hours at a time. I understand I am on the bleeding edge and expected a few snags along the way, right now though I feel I should have just burned the $20 on my front lawn it would have been as productive and I could have watched the pretty colors..... - OmniFocus for iPhone review by EandIsMom
Worth every penny! For people to whine here about the price is absurd. If you don't want to spend $20, no one if twisting your arm. I see there is at least one other similar but cheaper and less capable productivity app here already. OmniFocus works GREAT on the iPhone. I LOVE OmniFocus on the Mac. The 1.1 beta program you need to sync with this is a little unstable (I have had a few crashes) but have not lost any data - it recovers well and keeps on going. I am sure when Omni gets the kinks out and releases the public version (a free upgrade - for all of the whiners out there), I am sure it will run like a Swiss watch! So far OmniFocus syncs better and faster than Apple's new Mobil Me "cloud." It is so great to FINALLY have this powerful tool on my iPhone. Why should the people at Omni work hard to make an excellent product just to give it away? I am happy to pay a fair price and reward companies that provide an excellent product. If you want some discounts, buy some of their other great software - I also use and love Omni Outliner Pro and OmniWeb. Great work Omni! Scott - OmniFocus for iPhone review by ScottWP
iPhone and iPod Touch Applications from The Omni Group
OmniFocus - iPhone Productivity Application Winner of the 2008 Apple Design Award for Best iPhone Productivity Application, OmniFocus brings task management to your fingertips. Keep track of tasks by project, place, person, or date. Bring up a shopping list, agenda items to discuss at work, things to do at home, and any other lists you... The Omni Group - Released: June 17, 2009 - Vote(s): 0
$19.99
OmniFocus for iPhone - iPhone Productivity Application Winner of the 2008 Apple Design Award for Best iPhone Productivity Application, OmniFocus brings task management to your fingertips. Keep track of tasks by project, place, person, or date. Bring up a shopping list, agenda items to discuss at work, things to do at home, and any other lists you... The Omni Group - Released: July 11, 2008 - Vote(s): 2599
