Is Spongecell just another online calendar?

Filed under: Business, Developer, Internet, Utilities, Productivity, Web services

Is Spongecell just another online calendar?

by Chris Gilmer Oct 10th 2006

I'm going to start off by saying that I think Google Calendar rocks, and any online calendar is going to have to be something really special, and have some way cool features to come close to that online application. However, that doesn't stop me from investigating other calendar apps out there.

Spongecell is an online calendar that has a nice little addition called Spongebar. This unique bar allows you to type in a sentence like "sushi Friday at 8pm", dropping it instantly into the date and time you have specified. Calendars can be shared with friends, and you can view calendars from friends and contacts. Spongecell have also built an iPod Sync tool appropriately called SpongeSync. There is also an API that developers can utilize. Spongecell is a clean online calendar, that is easy to use, but besides that single feature, I personally can't see myself using it. Try out the online demo, and let us know your thoughts.

Tags: api, calendar, google, google calendar, GoogleCalendar, online calendar, OnlineCalendar, spongecell

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jordan Running said 5:03PM on 10-10-2006

IIRC, 30boxes also has a "one bar" that lets you enter events like that, and Google has "Quick Add." Happy to see more competition in this space, though.

Kesey said 6:31PM on 10-10-2006

First online calendar to get SyncML support wins me over completely. For now though, I'm all about 30 boxes.

Ryan Carter said 7:42PM on 10-10-2006

Yeah, I also like Google's QuickAdd feature, especially since it can be used from the Google Gadget as well.

DWProctor said 9:10PM on 10-10-2006

I have done some research into online calendars and Spongecell does the following:

- allows entries to be sent and added via an email account

- can download and also import to ical file

- has a good feedback and customer service that Google calendar does not even compare too.

- only thing Spongecell would benefit from is being able to have alerts sent to a mobile on the Australian Optus network.

Ben said 5:12AM on 10-11-2006

It's just as ugly as anything google.

Jim said 8:03AM on 10-11-2006

If they keep it that way, I'm expecting Google to announce its own operating system soon!

Danny said 11:07AM on 10-11-2006

30BOXES.COM still has everyone beat.

Marc Guldimann said 3:12PM on 10-11-2006

Thanks for taking the time to check out Spongecell. I'm glad you liked our Natural Language Processing (NLP) functionality - it's been compared very favorably to 30boxes and gCal in several reviews.

We have done a poor job of marketing the other ways to access the NLP engine, including email, the API (there is a method to submit text strings and return ics files) and SMS (sorta). Once you set up an account you can forward emails to sponge@spongecell.com that contain event information - party invites, plane flights, etc, and the event will automatically added to your calendar. A message with only "tomorrow", "friday" or "next" will return the proper information. Once you get in the habit of forwarding emails and creating new events through sms/email it's quite painful to use an app that forces you to open a browser, log in and use their interface to create an appointment.

Marc

Woland783 said 3:20PM on 10-11-2006

there is a powerful "Natural Language Quick Create" also in kiko

Ret said 3:55PM on 10-11-2006

My wife and I have been searching for an shared online calendar that would automatically email the other when one of us enters in an new event/activity. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Chris Gilmer said 3:58PM on 10-11-2006

try Google Calendar. You can invite people, and share calendars.

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