Things 3.4 Update Introduces URL Linking Support, App Handover and Automation Features

Popular to-do app Things reached version 3.4 today and gained a trio of additional features made possible by the introduction of all-new Things URL links. Basically, the app now supports a special kind of link that starts with "things:" and enables users to send a variety of commands to the app.

For example, it's now possible to link to your Today list, as well as the contents of your Upcoming and Logbook lists, from anywhere, such as in another app or within Things itself. In addition, links can be tied to specific to-dos within lists.

On Mac, links can be generated within Things by right-clicking on any to-do or list in the sidebar and selecting Share -> Copy Link. On iOS, the same option can be found in the Share menu, accessed via the chevron button in the upper right corner of a list. Some examples of the new links users can generate include:

Show Today: things:///show?id=today
Show Upcoming: things:///show?id=upcoming 
Show Logbook: things:///show?id=logbook 
Show your “Vacation in Rome” project: things:///show?query=Vacation%20in%20Rome (This works if the project has that name).

Apart from simple navigation, more advanced users can use Things URLs to execute powerful commands from outside of the app – to create to-dos, show tag filters, perform searches, and so on – while other apps will soon be able to use the URLs to send data to Things. For example, MindNode now lets users brainstorm on an empty canvas and then "hand it over" to Things as a project via a link.

The popular Drafts app is planning support for Things URL links in its next version, and with the publication of Things' open source Swift library, more are likely to follow suit.

Things 3.4 can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $49.99 and from the iOS App Store. The iPad version is priced at $19.99 [Direct Link] while the iPhone version (which includes Apple watch support) is priced at $9.99. [Direct Link] A 15-day trial of Things for Mac is available on the Cultured Code website.

Tag: Cultured Code

Top Rated Comments

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DanielDD

11 months ago

Can't justify using Things 3 + Fantastical. However, I could see myself jumping the ship altogether if they allowed adding and basic editing of calendar events

Rating: 2 Votes

QuarterSwede

11 months ago

Things 3 is my favorite to do list manager on iOS. Liked 1, couldn’t get into 2, but love the changes in 3. There are some strange ways it’s works, like learning where reoccurring tasks are or adding an alert/due date but, in general, Things 3 works so well that it makes creating a habit at work painless. Generally after a few days I don’t need a task populated anymore to remember to do it.

I’m glad they keep adding useful features and refining it. It’s one of the few apps that’s well worth the money even when they require a paid upgrade. I’m happy to support this developer.

I forgot to add that their Apple Watch support is fantastic. It even occupies a coveted complication spot for me.

Rating: 1 Votes

BWhaler

11 months ago

Things is one of the very best apps for the Mac and iOS. I used to hate on Cultured Code something fierce for its lethargic releases, but since Things 3, it’s been a complete turnaround. Things is an amazing app with great developer support and innovation.

What can Apple do to create an ecosystem of developers like this for more productivity apps, not more casino, iap games?

Rating: 1 Votes

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