Using Family Share Calendar in iOS 8

Enabling Family Share in iOS 8 turns on a shared calendar function that provides busy families with a way to stay organized and on schedule. Everybody in the family can add events to one calendar while keeping personal calendar events private. Technically a Family Share calendar is no different that setting up a shared calendar in iCloud. iOS 8 simply makes it easier to setup and use.

I can set up family reminders that will appear on everyone’s devices at the exact time or place I choose. So when whether it’s my turn to take the kids to Tae Kwon Do, pick up the pizza for take out night, or plan a trip to Connecticut to visit family, everyone’s in on the plan. Here’s how to use it.

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When you create a new calendar entry (tap the + from the upper right hand corner), from the entry page, scroll down and tap Calendar. If Family Share is enabled you’ll see a selection item called Family under the iCloud section. Tap to select that item and complete your calendar entry as you normally do.

That’s all there it to it. The entry will magically show up on the calendars of each person you added to Family Share. The calendar entry works just like any other calendar entry with event notifications, directions, notes , etc.

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Sunrise calendar app for iPad

Despite its iPhone-only availability, the free app has grown to become one of the most popular third-party iOS calendar apps, consistently ranking in the App Store's top 100 productivity apps in the final quarter of last year. Almost a year on, Sunrise developers Pierre Valade and Jeremy Le Van have decided it's finally time to bring the stylish calendar app to iPad, complete with visualization and synchronization improvements.Engadget

Downloaded and installed.

Sync Google Mail, Contacts and Calendar using IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV

Recently Google announced that it would no longer support Microsoft’s ActiveSync for syncing Google services — Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts — with new mobile devices. Current users would not be affected but newer user would not have the option.

This will have an impact on iPhone and iPad users who are used ActiveSync services for push notification. However, Google does support standard open protocols — IMAP for email, CalDAV for calendar, and CardDAV for contacts — for connected to it’s services. iOS users aren’t left completely without connectivity options. iOS supports these options natively and they are easy to configure.

Mail, Contacts, Calendars

Add Account

Launch the Settings app and navigate to Mail, Contacts, Calendars. Under the Accounts section tap Add Account.

Other

From the list tap, Other.

Other

CalDAV

The Calendaring Extension to WebDAV (CalDAV) is an Internet protocol standard allowing a calendar client to get access to scheduling information on a remote server. iOS supports CalDAV natively and setup is relatively easy via the Settings app.

In the Calendar section tap Add CalDAV Account.

In the server section enter google.com for the server. Use your full Gmail email address for the username. If you have enabled two-factor authentication on your account enter the application specific passcode instead. Tap the Next button to complete the setup.

CalDAV

That’s it for calendar. Now for Contacts.

CardDAV

The Card Extension to WebDAV (CardDAV) is an Internet protocol allowing an address book client to exchange contact information with a remote server. iOS supports CardDAV natively and setup is similar to setting up CalDAV.

In the Calendar section tap Add CardDAV Account.

In the server section enter google.com for the server. Use your full Gmail email address for the username. If you have enabled two-factor authentication on your account enter the application specific passcode instead. Tap the Next button to complete the setup.

CardDAV

Now for the last piece.

IMAP

Internet Message Access Protocol is an Internet standard protocol used by a Mail User Agent (MUA) to get access to email on a remote server. iOS natively supports this standard.

In the Calendar section tap Add Mail Account.

Gmail

In the Incoming Mail Server field enter imap.google.com. In the Outgoing Mail Server field enter smtp.google.com. Use your full Gmail email address for the username. If you have enabled two-factor authentication on your account enter the application specific passcode instead. Tap the Next button. You may be prompted to save the settings. Tap Save and then make sure the Mail and Notes switches are on before tapping Save again. Your account is now setup.