With a click of the mouse/trackpad or hot key you’re presented with the day’s events and tasks. You can set Today to show all of your tasks or just those due on that day.

I’ve tried similar applications before but haven’t found one to my liking. Most show either iCal events or tasks, but not both, or are available only as a widget.

Today allows you to add events and tasks without opening iCal. You can also check off tasks as you complete them. You can’t choose which calendar appear in Today, which is the only feature* missing that prevents me from forking over the 15 bucks it costs to own it.

I’m a fan of iCal, and today fills one of the few features I wish it had nicely. Second Gear’s biggest challenge will be keeping Today lean and faithful to its core purpose. Already users are asking for features that would quickly turn it into a replacement for iCal. There’s already one iCal; no need for another.

* One more gripe: You’re allowed to use Today for 7 days, which is ridiculously short, especially for an application that was released with obvious work needed to be done before considered complete.