v0.13.1: Automatic Calendar Syncing, Material 3 Design

I believe it's important to keep our users informed about the updates we make to CaughtUp, an app for coordinating personal events. In this release, we've introduced several exciting enhancements to improve user experience. From revamped themes to automatic calendar syncing, these updates aim to make social planning smoother and more enjoyable. Let's dive into the details:

1. Automatic Calendar Syncing

Take control of your calendar syncing preferences with our new enable/disable toggles. You can now easily toggle calendar syncing on or off based on your needs. We've worked hard to ensure that the calendar syncing feature meets the highest standards, addressing issues related to calendar permissions and event identification. Here's what's new:

• Calendar Sync on CaughtUp Calendar Open: No more manual syncs! CaughtUp now automatically syncs your calendar when you open the app, keeping you up-to-date effortlessly.
• Un-Sync Device Calendar Button: Need a fresh start? We've added a button to un-sync your device calendar, making it easy to disconnect.
• Resolved Unable to get Calendar Events on iOS 17: We've addressed the issues related to calendar permissions on iOS 17, ensuring that CaughtUp works as intended.

2. Guides for Calendar Syncing

We understand that syncing calendars can sometimes be confusing. To help you through the process, we've created comprehensive guides within the app. These guides provide step-by-step instructions for syncing your calendars to CaughtUp. Here's what you'll find:

• Syncing Your Calendars to Your iPhone Guide: If you're having trouble syncing a specific calendar to CaughtUp, this guide will walk you through the process.
• In-App Calendar Permissions Guide: If your calendar permissions aren't enabled, we've added a link within the app to guide you to the right settings.

3. Event Details Page Enhancements

We've made some improvements to the Event Details Page to provide a cleaner and more organized interface. Here's what's changed:

• Removed Recurrence Exception Display: We've decluttered the Event Details Page by removing the recurrence exception display, creating a cleaner interface.
• Recurrence Moved to the "When" Section: To improve organization, we've relocated the recurrence details to the "When" section, ensuring that event timing and recurrence information are logically grouped together.
• Display Timezone in Abbreviated Format: CaughtUp now displays event timezones in a concise, abbreviated format, eliminating timezone confusion.
• Renamed event "Attending" Tab to "Guests" Tab: We've renamed the "eventAttending" tab to "Guests" for clarity, making it easier to manage event attendees.

4. Material Design 3 Themes

We're excited to introduce updated themes inspired by Material Design 3 features. These themes bring a modern and cohesive design to CaughtUp, ensuring a visually appealing and consistent experience across different screens. Here's what you can expect:

• Benefit: A unified design language improves usability and creates a seamless flow for users. Consistency in visual elements reduces cognitive load and helps users navigate the app effortlessly.

For more information about Material Design 3, please read this article.

5. Theme Mode Based on System Settings

Say goodbye to manually toggling between light and dark modes! CaughtUp now adapts its theme based on your system settings. If your device is set to dark mode, the app will automatically switch to a darker theme, providing a comfortable viewing experience. Here's the benefit:

• Benefit: Automatic theme adaptation aligns with user preferences and ensures accessibility for users with varying light sensitivity.

6. User Authentication Message Update

We've listened to your feedback and made changes to the user authentication message. Instead of the previous "ERROR: User Not AUTHENTICATED!" message, we've reworded it to a friendlier "Please login to continue." This change encourages users to take the necessary action and reduces confusion. The updated message will be part of the next release.

• Benefit: Clearer messaging reduces confusion and encourages users to take the necessary action (i.e., logging in). It's a small change with a big impact on user satisfaction.

Before:

After:

7. Login Button Design Consistency

We've addressed button width discrepancies on the login and signup screens. Buttons across start screens now have the same width, creating a harmonious layout. This design improvement enhances usability and ensures that users can confidently tap without worrying about hitting the wrong button.

• Benefit: Uniform button widths enhance usability. Users can confidently tap without worrying about hitting the wrong button.

8. Refined Public Events Page

The Public Events Page has received a makeover! Buttons are now consistent in width and rounded for a softer aesthetic. These aesthetic improvements contribute to overall user satisfaction, making the page more inviting.

• Benefit: Aesthetic improvements contribute to overall user satisfaction. Rounded buttons feel friendlier and more inviting.

9. QR Code Centering and Share Event URL Update

We've made some visual improvements to the profile page, event detail page, and public events page. Previously, the QR codes were off-center due to a column on the left-hand side. We've now centered the QR codes with a neat right margin, creating a visually appealing and symmetrical layout.

10. "Copy Public Event URL" Additional Text

We've made an interesting change to the text copied when using the "Copy Public Event URL" button. Instead of the previous text, we now automatically generate a more personalized message that invites friends to join the event. This change reflects our desire to prioritize personal connections over product promotion.

11. Calendar Navigation Drawer Updates

We've renamed CaughtUp's Schedule View to List View to provide a more specific and intuitive name. The List View accurately describes the view as a list of events, eliminating confusion about what a "schedule view" means.

12. Join View Button Enhancements

The Join and View Button now boasts a minimum width to be larger and has rounded corners, enhancing both aesthetics and usability. These polished button design improvements contribute to an overall delightful app experience.

• Benefit: A polished button design elevates the overall app experience. Users appreciate attention to detail.

In summary, the recent updates to CaughtUp prioritize user satisfaction, consistency, and clarity. Whether you're a seasoned event planner or a first-time user, these enhancements make your journey smoother. Stay tuned for more exciting features—we're just getting started! 🎉📅