09.04.2020

Microsoft To Do Mac Review

Jun 16, 2019  Screenshots. Stay organized and manage your day-to-day with Microsoft To Do. Make shopping lists or task lists, take notes, record collections, set reminders and more to improve your productivity and focus on what matters. Microsoft To Do is the task management app that makes it easy to stay organized and manage your life.

Introducing List Sharing and Steps in Microsoft To-Do. Our goal for Microsoft To-Do is to provide a personal and intuitive way to help people stay organized and get the most o. Introducing Microsoft To-Do Preview. Microsoft To-Do is a new, intelligent task management app that makes it easy to plan and manage your day. May 09, 2017  The Microsoft ToDo App for iOS and Android is so well-designed, it utilises the Apple and Google platforms with smooth transitions, easy gestures and fluid ways to add tasks! To Do is integrated with Outlook Tasks, making it easier to manage all your tasks in one place. Access from anywhere Microsoft To Do is available for free, and syncs across iPhone, Android, Windows 10.

There's a new browser launching today, January 15, across various platforms including macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It's the new version of Microsoft Edge, the company's first browser that's based on the open-source Chromium project, the technology behind the industry-leading Google Chrome.

Since last summer, I've been using the Microsoft Edge public beta on my MacBook Pro alongside Apple Safari, my default browser for nearly two decades. For this okay, boomer, even the thought of ditching an Apple product for one made by Microsoft was like considering an invitation to join the dark side. Nonetheless, flirting with Microsoft Edge turned out to be a positive experience.

With the first Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser now available to the public, I plan on continuing my Microsoft adventure for various reasons. Still, I'm not ready to ditch Apple Safari either for the reasons noted below.

Good start

Microsoft Edge

Price: Free download.

Bottom line: Even as an unfinished product, Microsoft Edge is on the right track. Mac users should take it for a test drive and not feel guilty about it.

The Good

  • Easy setup and import
  • Robust, flexible security tools
  • Access to Chromium-based extensions

The Bad

  • No Apple Pay integration
  • No iCloud password integration
  • Syncing isn't a finished product


Packed with features

Microsoft To Do Mac Review 2018

What is Microsoft Edge?

Originally, I thought the best way to review Microsoft Edge for Mac was to compare it to Apple's Safari. After much thought, I decided against taking this approach, although I do plan on writing a separate article for iMore explaining the key differences between the two browsers. For this review, I'll focus instead on Microsoft Edge's broad features, then unpack its biggest strengths and weaknesses and why you should consider adding it to your Mac.

All about Chromium

Any discussion on Microsoft Edge needs to begin with one about Chromium. This web browser project was originally developed by Google. Like all successful open-source projects, it's been steadily improved by many third-parties, of which Microsoft is only one.

With Chromium, Google has long promised a 'lightweight and fast' internet experience. From there, it has largely been left to others to make browser-specific features worth considering.

Today, Chromium serves as the starting point for many browsers, not just Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. These include Amazon Silk, Brave, and many others.

A security and privacy win

Microsoft Edge: What I like

The first Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge is packed with high-profile features. No doubt, those on the surface will get most of the attention. However, I've been most impressed with what's going on behind the scenes.

Hackers will always target web browsers and I don't expect that will ever change. While nothing is 100 percent secure, Microsoft is doing its part to push its Edge browser closer to absolute security through tracking prevention and a so-called SmartScreen tool.

Tracking prevention

In Microsoft Edge, you get to decide how much free rein web trackers have while you're surfing. The trackers, which collect data about how you interact with a site, includes a mix of good and bad actors. Unfortunately, separating the two isn't always easy. At launch, Microsoft Edge offers three levels of tracking prevention, Basic, Balanced, and Strict.

Under Basic, Microsoft blocks trackers it thinks are potentially harmful, while allowing others that are intended to personalize your web content and ads. The Balanced approach, which Microsoft recommends for most users, blocks harmful trackers and those from sites you haven't visited. The trade-off is you receive a less robust and personalized experience compared to the Basic option.

With Strict tracking, Microsoft blocks harmful trackers and the majority of all trackers across most sites. Under this scenario, your surfing experience becomes even less personalized. Depending on the site, the limit could also disable video and login capabilities.

Like Microsoft, I believe the Balanced approach is optimal for most users. Nonetheless, I'm impressed Microsoft has moved past an all or nothing approach when it comes to tracking. Better still, you can switch back and forth between the three levels at will depending on your circumstances or location.

SmartScreen and Application Guard

Meanwhile, with built-in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen technology, Microsoft Edge can protect you from accidentially visiting locations online previously reported as phishing or malware websites. The tool also sends out an alert if you attempt to download potentially malicious files.

For those in a work environment, Microsoft has given IT professionals even more control over SmartScreen. For businesses, there's also the Application Guard, which is designed to help prevent web-based attacks using hardware isolation.

Looking beyond privacy and security, there's no denying Microsoft has spent a great deal of time during the beta process to create a setup process simple enough for anyone to complete. As part of this, it made it easy to import data from other browsers. Current Apple Safari users, for example, can import favorites, bookmarks, and browsing history, while Google Chrome users also have the ability to import payment and password information, addresses, settings, and more.

As part of the Microsoft Edge setup process, you can also create an informative web page that shows up on new tabs. The page offers a Microsoft Bing web search box, quick links to your most visited web sites, and a full Microsoft News page. You can change the tab page to match one of three canned layouts or make it your own by creating a more customized version. The new page is a nice touch and one of the key reasons to consider making a switch.

Lots of extensions

Another benefit of using the Chromium-backed Microsoft Edge browser is compatibility. Not only can you take advantage of Microsoft's new extension store for Edge, but you can also install content from the Chrome Web Store. The compatibility means you now have access to over 190,000 extensions and web apps. At last count, Safari offers less than 100.

Extensions make a web browser even more useful and offers a great way to further customize the experience. Available extensions include web security tools, translators, password generators, and much more.

iCloud averse, lacking features

Microsoft Edge: What I don't like

The Chromium version of Microsoft Edge arrives with two limitations that could make it a tough sell for users, at least in the short-term.

One of Microsoft Edge's most important features is sync, which keeps your browser history, favorites, passwords, and other data the same across all of your devices. Unfortunately, sync isn't fully supported at launch. No doubt, Microsoft will correct this omission soon, but it's a head-scratching omission from such a high-profile launch.

There's no easy fix to the second limitation, which affects only Apple users. Microsoft Edge, unlike Apple Safari, doesn't support iCloud. Because of this, there's no way to bring over your iCloud Keychain username and passwords to the new browser. You also can't use Apple Pay. Because of the former, I have found it nearly impossible to fully embrace the Microsoft Edge browser and choose it over Apple Safari. However, if you use a third-party password manager such as 1Password, this limitation isn't important.

Beyond these pain points, Microsoft Edge is a nearly perfect browser and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. I'm also excited about trying the refreshed iOS version, available on the App Store.

Speedy, but ..

I'm not the type who puts a lot of weight on software benchmarks because those tests are heavily influenced by hardware. Because of this, I'll leave it to others to fully analyze the performance of Microsoft Edge and compare it to other browsers on the market, including Apple Safari.

With that being said, during my limited tests, I didn't see much of a difference between the two browsers. Like other Chromium-based browsers, Microsoft Edge on Mac is quick. However, it didn't seem any faster or slower than Apple Safari. Your situation could differ depending on the age of your computer, which is certainly worth keeping in mind.


A mostly great product

Microsoft Edge

As 2020 begins, a plurality of Mac users now use Google Chrome as their browser of choice, followed by Apple Safari. In total, the two browsers control 93 percent of the market on macOS. That could soon change thanks to the arrival of Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

If you're a current Chrome browser user ..

The new browser has been designed with privacy and protection in mind. At the same time, it firmly embraces the third-party integration and speed that has made Chrome the most popular browser on desktops overall.

If you're a current Apple Safari user ..

Thanks to limitations from Apple, Microsoft Edge can't import all content from Safari, such as passwords. However, if you're willing to look past this and want to jump head first into open-source Chromium web browsing, you should give Microsoft Edge a try. Offering perhaps a fresher experience than Safari with more privacy features, the newest browser for Mac is beautifully designed, fun to use, and customizable to match your unique tastes.

Download it

Microsoft Edge

A worthy alternative.

Microsoft Edge could give Google Chrome and Apple Safari a run for web browser supremacy on a Mac.

Have any questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about the Microsoft Edge web browser, let us know below.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

For all your USB-C needs

The HybridDrive is a USB-C dock with an SSD built in

You need more ports, right? And you probably need more storage, right? What you really need is the HybridDrive.

Microsoft To-Do is a simple to-do list app developed as a replacement for Wunderlist (Microsoft acquired Wunderlist back in 2015).

The app can import existing Wunderlist lists or create new lists from scratch. Items can have notes attached, due dates and reminders attached, or be marked as partially or fully completed.

Mac Vs Microsoft

A 'My Day' view helps you see and organise tasks which need to be done today.

An intelligent 'Suggestion' feature uses a 'smart algorithm' to recommend tasks you should be doing right now . Microsoft media creation tool mac os. That could be handy long-term but it needs a history of items to work with, so don't expect anything useful immediately.

Right now, Microsoft To-Do's main plus point is you can use it anywhere, with apps available for Windows 10, iOS, Android and the web. Your lists will be synced across all your devices, too, although this requires that you have a Microsoft account.

Microsoft To-Do is also built on Office 365, giving it several other advantages: security, speed, and over time, integration with other Office applications. To-Do could be a lightweight way to access your Outlook tasks from anywhere, for instance. You don't need Office 365 to run the app, though-- it's available to everyone.

What's new in 2.15?

- Printing has arrived on Mac! If you like to have a hard copy of your lists, then you can now print them out.
- As you select a due date for a task, you may want to stop for a moment and admire the new look date picker. Isn’t it pretty?
- We made a number of accessibility fixes, including fixing VoiceOver issues when creating a new group, and fixing the keyboard focus in the about window and when adding tasks to an empty list. We also fixed contrast ratio issues in Helpshift.
- Sometimes our app was crashing if you chose a custom recurrence but didn’t select the start date. We fixed that one.

Microsoft To-Do doesn't do much right now, and if you're happy using another to-do list app there's no compelling reason to use this one.

To-Do is easy to use, though, and looks good, and runs anywhere in some form, and could become very important as it integrates with Office. If any of that interests you, give it a try.

Microsoft To-Do for Windows 10 v2.15

Freeware

A simple to-do list app which works anywhere

PNotes.NET 3.4.0.2

Open Source

Create and manage sticky notes on your desktop

TreeSheets Nov 20 2016

Microsoft To Do Mac Review 2017

Freeware

Enter, browse and organise your data

CyberLink PhotoDirector 8 Essentials

Freeware

A cut-down image organiser/ editor

Kestrel GX 1.3.1

Trial Software

Organise and edit your photo collection from a single application

doPDF 10.7.124

Microsoft To Do For Mac

Freeware

Produce a PDF document from just about any Windows application

novaPDF 10.7.124

Trial Software

Create industry-standard PDF files from any Windows application.

Microsoft To-Do for Windows 10 v2.15

Freeware

A simple to-do list app which works anywhere

EssentialPIM Pro 8.66

Trial Software

Powerful and versatile personal information manager which makes it easy to manage notes, appointments, contacts and much more

EssentialPIM Free 8.66

Free, for personal-use only

Powerful and versatile personal information manager which makes it easy to manage notes, appointments, contacts and much more