Before I begin, let me state that I love Things, the To-Do app from Cultured Code. I started using it on the desktop when the first beta started a few years ago and I bought the iOS apps as soon as they became available (Things was the first app I bought for my iPad). As To-Do managers go, it's well designed and well thought through.
That is apart from one thing; cloud sync.
Whilst nearly every other To-Do app has managed to add some form of cloud sync, Things has failed to deliver. At present, if you want to synchronise your To-Do list between your iPhone and Mac, you have to do it by opening both apps at the same time on the same wireless network. If you have more than one device it gets more annoying as you constantly open and close apps to get them to play nice. Getting syncing working between multiple machines is possible with a Dropbox hack, but get it wrong and you'll lose items you've added.
Not having cloud sync a year or so ago was acceptable, but now it is one of the key requirements for any To-Do app. I can't count the number of times I've added things to the iPhone app only to forget to wirelessly sync when I get home and thus miss something important. Cultured Code have repeatedly said they are "working" on Cloud Sync but so far have come up with nothing apart from a few articles explaining why the solutions they were going to create wouldn't really work in the real world - despite the fact that revision management systems such as SVN and GIT have been around for ages, a simple xml file merge seems to be too complex for Cultured Code to develop...
Today, they proudly tweeted about a new page they'd launched which showed the "positive feedback we receive on Twitter". I find this grating purely because the URL has the phrase "what people are saying" in it yet is actually a completely biased feed which has been heavily edited (it's not real time). A couple of people have replied saying things such as "Can you do one for OTA-Sync requests?" so I thought I'd oblige with this script I knocked up in under half an hour.
The section below is a close replica of the new Things feedback page yet it instead shows up the negative tweets (in real time) that people have written about sync.
Note: make sure to look at it in a WebKit-based browser if you want the little cards to be arranged at annoying angles as per the original page
What unhappy customers say on Twitter
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I'm completely re-organizing my task management in Things. Also anticipating the @culturedcode import for the new cloud sync version!
May 16th 2012 -
@culturedcode Your blog's gone a bit quite. Is database import to cloud sync imminent?
May 16th 2012 -
@culturedcode Seriously this long for cloud sync?,....I am suprised you still have dedicated users like me to overpay for software like this
May 15th 2012 -
@culturedcode again without cloud sync??? #Things
May 15th 2012 -
@culturedcode Still no main library access to the beta iCloud sync? :(
May 15th 2012 -
I need sync and sub-tasks/projects adding to Things @culturedcode and it would be perfect for me. They almost have sync ready but no eta yet
May 15th 2012 -
@culturedcode still no online sync you jokers
May 14th 2012 -
@culturedcode It's midway through 2012...where's cloud sync for Things? ;-)
May 14th 2012 -
@culturedcode any update on cloud sync coming out of beta? :)
May 14th 2012 -
@culturedcode the final release of cloud sync would have been great
May 14th 2012 -
I just can't believe Diablo III has arrived before Things cloud sync. /cc @culturedcode
May 14th 2012 -
@culturedcode Is it worth to wait for public sync-version of things or should I migrate my todos to beta version by hand *now*?
May 14th 2012 -
@culturedcode Things on iPad/iPhone is crashing during sync after latest iOS update. Fix coming?
May 14th 2012 -
@culturedcode Things is crashing during sync on the latest iOS update and it makes me sad. Fix coming?
May 12th 2012 -
@culturedcode hi,is possible to sync iCal's events with Things,or only reminders?thanks!
May 12th 2012 -
WHEN are we going to have cloud sync for @culturedcode Things? Love the apps, but delay starting to make me doubt company's systems
May 11th 2012 -
Hi, @culturedcode! What is iCloud-sync status? =) When do you plan to finish beta-testing?
May 11th 2012 -
@culturedcode I'm not requesting features or release date here, just hope you can make little effort for Chinese users who use Cloud sync :)
May 11th 2012 -
Dumping Wunderlist for #gtd time mgmt; sync is too flaky and UI is too slow. Switching to @culturedcode Things, a beautifully designed app.
May 10th 2012 -
@culturedcode Will TT and TP eventually cloud sync inbox reminders from iCal as well?
May 10th 2012 -
@culturedcode I would like to see the number of items indicator for the inbox reflect the contained reminder items from iCal from cloud sync
May 10th 2012 -
@culturedcode Hey! I really like things sync… planning on going public with it soon?
May 9th 2012 -
@alisoncoward: @WorkFlowy well engineered/designed, but needs more granular sharing, and for me must sync w/@culturedcode's iOS/MacOS Things
May 9th 2012 -
@culturedcode -- any ETA on a release of Things with sync? I'm dying over here trying to get things done....
May 8th 2012 -
Loving @culturedcode’s Things again, with the cloud sync beta (http://t.co/EG26MfbN).
May 8th 2012 -
@culturedcode I understand, with the current pace of development Cloud Sync is probably scheduled for 2013 right?
May 8th 2012 -
Using #Things for Mac and iPhone feels like a case of Stockholm Syndrome, just a few more weeks for Cloud Sync says @culturedcode support
May 7th 2012 -
So frustrated. Things had the best UI - would love to go back, but @culturedcode fail to deliver cloud sync.
May 7th 2012 -
@culturedcode odd…could you please tell me the hostname of the cloud sync server, so I can try and trace route and send results to ISP
May 4th 2012 -
@culturedcode Sync is great guys. Thanks for delivering. Any chance of organize Today in categories re-appearing in the beta?
May 4th 2012 -
@culturedcode I get simply "An error has occurred" when Mac Things is trying to connect to Cloud sync. Network issues?
May 4th 2012 -
@culturedcode your version of cloud sync is the bees knees - even the beta has improved my #productivity immensely. Thank you!
May 3rd 2012 -
@culturedcode sure you get this a lot; but want to add my voice - Please give us a date on cloud sync. Thoughts of straying now unavoidable.
May 3rd 2012 -
@culturedcode does the cloud beta sync your Things between different Macs as well as iOS?
May 1st 2012 -
@culturedcode :10 weeks ago in your blog you said cloud sync import would be available in the coming weeks. This was misleading, any update?
May 1st 2012 -
@culturedcode Is it possible to use the cloud sync beta with a license of Things for Mac purchased from the Mac App store?
April 30th 2012 -
@tonyarnold Is this (http://t.co/VSaFQoOQ) the App? Additional $20 a year to sync your Todo's? At @culturedcode sync is free :-)
April 30th 2012 -
@braintoniq's http://t.co/LrvbBt3m = great #GTD tips. I like EN but am going to try TSW using @culturedcode's Things w/cloud sync instead.
April 28th 2012 -
Bit the bullet and moved to the cloud beta of Things after lots of dropbox sync issues :) @culturedcode
April 27th 2012 -
@culturedcode anxiously awaiting cloud sync...
April 27th 2012 -
@ObjectiveT I think you've hit on something there. On the Mac, firing up Safari when Things won't sync seems work. Thanks! CC @culturedcode
April 26th 2012 -
Hey @culturedcode, any plans to release the Cloud Sync? haha.
April 26th 2012 -
Yes, cloud sync is overdue, but I love, love, love @culturedcode's Things Omnifocus may be powerful, but it would hurt my eyes (and wallet)
April 26th 2012 -
@culturedcode finding Things won't sync (wifi). Only way around it: close Things Mac, turn wifi off & on, then re-open things. Known issue?
April 26th 2012 -
One thing I'm eagerly waiting for (apart of Diablo III launch of course) is for Things app from @culturedcode to get their Cloud sync live
April 26th 2012 -
@culturedcode - @bloggerton and I are getting really bored waiting for cloud sync
April 25th 2012 -
Dear app developers, No, I’m not going to use your company-specific sync services. /cc @MomentoApp @junecloud @OmniGroup @culturedcode
April 25th 2012 -
@culturedcode @mike_enos I am. It's the only thing missing. I continue to have my devices out of sync via Wi-Fi that I forget about :-)
April 25th 2012 -
@culturedcode Loving the Things Cloud beta, it is brilliant to be able to sync my todo lists across all my devices. Good job.
April 25th 2012 -
@culturedcode so we have dropbox, skydive, google drive, iCloud, and we're still waiting on cloud sync for Things?
April 25th 2012 -
@culturedcode is it possible to sync between iPad and iPhone via ThingsCloud?
April 24th 2012 -
Wow. Just got #THINGS beta w/sync up and running on desktop and iOS. This is slick. Well done @culturedcode!
April 23rd 2012 -
@culturedcode Love your help: release free cloud sync. I switched to Wunderlist, after buying your app$. Would you be up for refunding?
April 23rd 2012 -
@culturedcode Hi, is your wifi sync to iPhone automatic? (on add/change, timed etc.?)
April 23rd 2012 -
@culturedcode #things last synced two months ago and only manage a "partial" sync.
April 23rd 2012 -
@CulturedCode - the most failed company. Stop the "full speed" development on sync and do an export from #Things to #Wunderlist?
April 23rd 2012 -
@culturedcode Would I be right to assume problems with Things Cloud doe iOS? As iPhone/iPad user - WiFi sync via Mac is very last year.
April 23rd 2012 -
@culturedcode I can't seem to be able to sync anything with iCal. No solutions on support website. Suggestions! http://t.co/XEUX9bjk
April 22nd 2012 -
Been using Things "public beta" from @culturedcode for a week now. Cloud sync has been working flawlessly. http://t.co/wcv3H3Cw #fb
April 22nd 2012 -
It's 2012 and @culturedcode still doesn't have a cloud sync for Things. Wow.
April 21st 2012 -
I have always loved Things.app. A elegantly simple product, and the new beta cloud sync between my Mac and iPhone #justworks @culturedcode
April 20th 2012 -
@culturedcode when final version of #Things with #cloud #sync will be @AppStore?
April 20th 2012 -
@culturedcode any way to sync Things with Google Tasks at the moment?
April 19th 2012 -
@culturedcode Guys,I love using Things on all my devices,but w/o cloud sync it is getting tougher and tougher. I don't want to give up,but..
April 19th 2012 -
@culturedcode Not a big issue: my iPhone never leaves me. Full keyboard would be nice, but iPhone works well. Cloud sync excellent!
April 18th 2012 -
@culturedcode It just works. Works and works well on my iPhone, iPad, and Mac(s). I don't have to think about it. How sync should be.
April 18th 2012 -
@BenjaminBrooks @culturedcode explained sync and then then they built it. Currently in public beta: http://t.co/mjskvPE8
April 18th 2012 -
@MacSusana i totally agree; how looong @culturedcode? how long until the cloud sync between #iPhone and #iPad?
April 17th 2012 -
@culturedcode Loving Cloud Sync in Things - seems like the final piece of the puzzle.
April 16th 2012 -
@stiiifff My bad … Things does not sync via iCloud yet. Would be nice if it could :) /cc @culturedcode (in addition to the 'Things Cloud')
April 14th 2012 -
Not sure which amazes me more: It’s 2012 and @culturedcode doesn’t yet have effortless OTA sync, or that I have not switched to @omnifocus.
April 13th 2012 -
Now I'm 'Thing'ified'… Got the app on OS X, iPhone and iPad, but I'm still missing cloud sync. When it will come? #Things @culturedcode
April 12th 2012 -
If only @Agilebits developed #Things; @culturedcode promised teammate sync nearly 4 yrs ago! (@1Password updates like there's no tomorrow)
April 11th 2012 -
@culturedcode Things Beta with Cloud sync is awesome. Why isn't this released yet. Seems to work fine. you guys switching over to iCloud?
April 11th 2012 -
k, the inability for me to sync Things.app with my Galaxy Nexus is driving me crazy. and no, Google Tasks is not awesome. /cc @culturedcode
April 10th 2012 -
Right seeings as I've paid a small fortune on @culturedcode Things I'm gonna give the beta cloud sync a go
April 9th 2012 -
So I decided, if @culturedcode cloud isn't out of beta by next semester, I am switching to @6Wunderkinder... I need cloud sync for 3 devices
April 9th 2012 -
.@culturedcode guys, i really love things. but 40€ is way too much for a mac app that doesn't even do iCloud sync (yet). 15€ would be fair.
April 8th 2012 -
Completely given up on @culturedcode and the Things cloud sync. It's been _so_ fucking long. Sort it out.
April 8th 2012 -
@culturedcode The cloud sync has made it all click together. Couldn't live without it.
April 7th 2012 -
In other news... I have made the switch to OmniFocus. Sorry @culturedcode. I could manage without sync, but nested projects is a must.
April 7th 2012 -
@culturedcode if I install the beta Mac app, will it sync with my existing Things Cloud or do I have to start again?
April 6th 2012 -
@phia1212 The joke was that maybe @culturedcode needed an external system to put their todos in, to finish off cloud sync.
April 6th 2012 -
@culturedcode Can I sync Thing for iphone and the one for mac OS Lion? I downloaded iphone app, but it doesn't sync my mac OS Lion...
April 6th 2012 -
Hell, my grandmother could learn what a computer is, how to code, and then write an app with cloud sync in the time @culturedcode has taken.
April 5th 2012 -
Things by @culturedcode fits what I want in a task management app. The new cloud sync works shockingly well... and shockingly fast. Love it.
April 5th 2012 -
Things by @culturedcode is a workflow changing app for me. ToDo list management sync'd between all my devices. Easy. Amazing. Productivity+1
April 5th 2012 -
Things by @culturedcode is a workflow changing app for me. ToDo list management sync'd between all my devices. Easy. Amazing. Productivity+1
April 5th 2012 -
@culturedcode Will the wi-fi sync work?
April 5th 2012 -
@culturedcode Cloud Beta Sync works great. Not sure why this has not been released yet.
April 5th 2012
Just as a separate note, I have tried to stop using Things many, many times. I have bought and tried-out around 20 different To-Do apps for the mac and iOS devices (I need one that works and syncs on both) yet all of them have fallen short in some way such that I stick with Things despite it's debilitating lack of cloud sync. If you know of an app which is as well designed as Things yet comes with cloud sync, please let me know.