Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a cloud-hosted calendar developed by Google and offered for free to all holders of Google Account. Built from the ground up as a service accessible only from Gmail, this popular web application was spun off as a standalone service accessible from any modern browser, as well from the native applications on iOS and Android.

This app is a part of Google Workspace - Cloud Business Apps & Collaboration Tools. It’s FREE for the first 14 days, Try Now!

Regularly upgraded over the years, Google Calendar for PC has become one of the staples of the Google Workplace offerings, the premium suite of web services for business, education, and government customers.

• Different ways to view your calendar - Quickly switch between month, week, and day views.
• Events from Gmail - Flight, hotel, concert, restaurant reservations, and more are added to your calendar automatically.
• Tasks - Create, manage, and view your tasks alongside your events in Calendar.
• Video conferencing - Easily add video conferencing to calendar events.
• Quick event creation - Smart suggestions for event titles, places, and people save you time when creating events.
• All your calendars in one place - It works with all calendars on your device, including Exchange and iCloud.

The core functionality of Google Calendar for Windows PC is of course time and event tracking, with in-depth customization that allows users to set up the timing of events (from specific times to the “all day” events), location markers, use labels and markers that can activate notifications automatically (such as birthdays), customizable “Recurring” tag for all types of events, visually mark events with colors, three types of the main event schedule (daily, weekly or monthly), advanced notification options (email, mobile push notifications), integrated option for sending invites for events (fully integrated with Google Contacts) and sharing of events directly to Google Calendar databases of other users, advanced privacy and visibility access options, and more.

Over the previous few years, it received numerous updates that have added much-requested features from the users and the media.

This includes the setting the time zone for events, ability for Gmail messages to create automated Google Calendar entries, versatile “Reminders” service for smaller daily tasks (some of which are automatically generated by the Google cloud AI service), “Smart Suggestions” feature that will remind users of international holidays when they are traveling and more, “Goals” feature, and “Family Calendars” service that allows family members to create shared events.

The app is offered for free to all holders of Google Account. The app is optimized for use on the Google Chrome browser and its Chromium derivatives but can also be accessed via many other modern browsers and native iOS and Android applications.



Main Features

Event Scheduling: Easily create and manage events, set start and end times, and add details like location, descriptions, and attachments.

Notifications: Receive notifications for upcoming events via email or push notifications on your mobile device.

Multiple Calendars: Create multiple calendars for personal, work, or shared purposes, and color-code them for better organization.

Invitations and Sharing: Send event invitations to others, share your calendar with specific individuals or make it public, and control access permissions.

Sync Across Devices: Sync your calendar across all your devices, ensuring you have access to your schedule wherever you go.

Reminders and Goals: Set reminders to stay on top of your to-dos, and use goals to schedule time for self-improvement activities.

Integration: Seamlessly integrate with other Google services like Gmail, Google Meet, and Google Drive to streamline your workflow.

Smart Suggestions: It uses machine learning to suggest meeting times and locations based on your previous preferences and availability.

User Interface

It features an intuitive and clean user interface. The web version offers a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes. The mobile app provides a consistent experience with easy navigation. The layout is straightforward, with a sidebar for quick access to different calendars, settings, and a customizable view.



Installation and Setup

Google Calendar is primarily a web-based application, so there is no traditional installation process required for desktop use. To get started, simply visit the website (calendar.google.com) and log in with your Google account. If you want to use it on mobile devices, you can download the app from the respective app stores (Google Play Store for Android and Apple App Store for iOS) and sign in with your Google account.

How to Use

Creating Events: Click on the "+ Create" button, enter event details, and choose a calendar to add the event to.

Notifications: Set up notifications by clicking on an event and selecting the "Edit" option. You can choose when and how you want to be reminded.

Sharing Calendars: To share a calendar, click on the calendar name in the sidebar, go to "Settings and Sharing," and select the sharing options you prefer.

Syncing Across Devices: Once you're logged in, your calendar will automatically sync across all devices where you're signed in with the same Google account.

Smart Suggestions: Pay attention to the smart suggestions provided by the app when scheduling events; they can save you time and effort.



FAQ

Can I use Google Calendar offline?
Yes, you can use Google Calendar offline by enabling the offline mode in your settings. This allows you to view and edit your calendar even without an internet connection.

Is Google Calendar FREE?
Yes, Google Calendar is 100% FREE to use. However, there is also a paid version called Google Workspace, which offers additional features and storage options for businesses and organizations.

Can I import/export events to and from Google Calendar?
Yes, you can easily import and export events in various formats, including iCal, CSV, and more. This feature is handy for transferring events between different calendars.

How can I change the default view in Google Calendar?
To change the default view (e.g., from monthly to weekly), go to "Settings" > "View options" and select your preferred default view.

Is Google Calendar safe and secure?
Google takes security seriously and uses encryption to protect your data. However, it's essential to enable two-factor authentication for added security.

Alternatives

Microsoft Outlook: Offers a comprehensive calendar feature along with email management.

Microsoft Mail and Calendar: It helps you stay up-to-date on your email & manage your schedule.

Calendly: Specializes in scheduling and appointment booking, making it ideal for businesses.

One Calendar: Get organised and easily manage appointments!

Pricing

Google Calendar is FREE to use for personal users. However, for businesses and organizations, Google offers Google Workspace, which includes enhanced features and starts at $6/user/month.

System Requirements

It can be accessed through web browsers on any modern operating system.

PROS

• Free for personal use
• Cross-platform accessibility
• Seamless integration with other Google services
• Smart suggestions for event scheduling
• Multiple calendar support for better organization

CONS

• Limited offline functionality
• Requires a Google account
• Some advanced features are part of the paid Google Workspace

Conclusion

All in all, Google Calendar is a versatile and user-friendly calendar application that caters to the needs of individuals, businesses, and organizations. Its integration with other Google services, intuitive user interface, and smart scheduling features make it a top choice for managing time and events efficiently.

While it offers a free version for personal use, businesses may find value in upgrading to Google Workspace for additional features and storage options. Whether you're planning your daily tasks, scheduling meetings, or organizing events, Google Calendar is a reliable tool that simplifies the process and helps you stay on top of your commitments.

Also Available: Download Google Calendar for Mac