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In iPadOS 17, we now have the ability to add sections to our lists, which brings an extra layer of organization to the app. Previously, we only had subtasks and lists, but now we can structure our lists into sections, and it’s a feature we’re really excited about! It would be great if we had color options for these sections, though. The default black is a bit dull—some color could make them stand out more, but it’s not a deal-breaker.
By default, sections are displayed as lists, but you can switch to a column view, which we prefer because columns are easier to rearrange. While you can reorder in the list view, the column view just feels more intuitive. One downside is that subtasks are not easily distinguishable from the main tasks. We hope Apple considers making the main tasks bold and indenting the subtasks to make them easier to differentiate.
Interestingly, we managed to add over ten columns to a single list, though most users probably won’t need that many.
Apple has also introduced a new type of list called “Shopping.” We’ve struggled to categorize it—it’s not exactly a smart list, since it lacks the filters typically found in smart lists, nor is it a template, as it doesn’t appear under the templates section. Our best guess is that it’s an AI-powered list that automatically categorizes items on your grocery list into predetermined sections. However, we’re not fans of this feature. Shopping lists are usually the simplest to manage, and these AI-generated sections just make the list longer and more cumbersome to navigate. The categorization doesn’t seem logical to us, and since we’re not trying to be the most efficient shoppers, this feature feels unnecessary.
We understand Apple’s intent, but we were hoping for more practical enhancements, like turning Apple Reminders into a project manager with a Kanban system, rather than an overcomplicated shopping list. While it’s clear Apple is experimenting with AI to organize lists, the shopping list feature feels out of place in a productivity app.
That said, there are aspects of the update we do like. The ability to hide empty sections is useful, and the option to toggle the sidebar in the app is a nice touch, making the app feel more minimalist and visually appealing. The introduction of early reminders is also a welcome addition. They could serve as a workaround for start dates if Apple allows us to pick specific dates for them, which we hope to see in future updates.
However, there are still some features we were hoping for in this update that remain absent. We still don’t have a recycle bin, and attachments are still limited to images. While the small updates are appreciated, the main new feature—sections—has left us a bit disappointed. We were expecting iPadOS 17 to turn Apple Reminders into a more capable project management app, but it seems we’ll have to wait a bit longer for that.
