Google Calendar "looks a lot like Outlook"

The introduction of Google Calendar (in beta, of course) is a game changer, according to Charlene Li, senior analyst with Forrester Research.

Li said Calendar's ability to manage multiple schedules (work, family, friends, church, club) is a home run, she said.  Allowing synchronization with Microsoft Outlook's calendar module is also a positive because "I have to use Outlook at work, and one of the biggest pains of my life is re-entering work dates on my personal calendar." Listen to our podcast here.

Asked if Calendar's features are part of a continuing assault on Microsoft and its desktop strength, Li conceded, "It does look like Outlook in many ways."

Calendar's strongest suit is the Google's plan to allow developers to incorporate its features into other applications.  For instance, a beauty salon could use Calendar to schedule employees and appointments.  Pointing out how open access to Google Maps' features created hundreds of new ways of visualizing space through "mashups," Li expects Calendar to have a similar impact helping people manage time. 

Li's written comments are also on the Web.

Comments

[LastHope]

Hi
sync is possible, BOTH ways, between Google Calendar and Outlook!
How? Just download and install RemoteCalendars

http://sourceforge.net/projects/remotecalendars

[Marc Orchant]

You're getting a bit ahead of yourself, you and Charlene. There is no synchronization yet available with Outlook. Only a simple import of data exported from Outlook. Lacking the ability to do more than import, Google Calendar is not terribly useful for anyone who also uses Outlook or a PDA. This featured is promised (according to the Google blog) and when it's delivered, this admittedly nice initial offering may be a more serious contender.

Shared calendars are very useful but Google needs to catch up to other free, online calendars with more advanced and polished features (like AirSet for example) before it will even be in the same time zone as Outlook.