Back in November, Microsoft brought Project Cheshire to private beta. In October, the app had appeared in the Windows Store. However, it was a dummy test app that said, ‘coming soon’ when opened. At the time, I wrote that Project Cheshire did not seem to have any compelling features. In other words, it is just another note-taking and task management application. That said, Microsoft’s Cortana page leaked a feature that integrates the virtual assistant with To-Do. The page was removed, but adding Cortana integration could mean the app has more substance than frist thought. Either way, Cortana integration is not part of To-Do at launch. Instead, we get some basic task management features such as the ability to create reminders and have notes sync across devices. Interestingly, there is a hint that Microsoft is favouring Android and iOS through the launch of To-Do. The Windows 10 Mobile app is still listed as Project Cheshire, which suggests it is still in testing. Android and iOS listings have the proper To-Do name and show the app UI in full (above). Of course, it is normal for Microsoft to give preference to rival platforms over Windows 10 Mobile, but it still irks us when it happens.
Wunderlist
The creation of Project Cheshire raises questions about Wunderlist. Microsoft acquired the task management service in June 2015. At the time, Wunderlist had 13 million users and was growing, but it has since declined and Microsoft has done little to boost it. If To-Do is the way forward, especially with Cortana along for the ride in the future, perhaps Microsoft will decide to discard Wunderlist?
