Cardhop Update: Deeper Fantastical Integration | Flexibits

Cardhop Receives Significant Update with Version 2

Flexibits, the developer of popular productivity applications Fantastical and Cardhop, has announced the release of a new iteration of Cardhop for both macOS and iOS platforms.

This represents the second major release of the application, introducing a suite of enhancements including business card scanning capabilities, customizable widgets, organizational chart generation, and a more integrated experience with Fantastical.

A Novel Approach to Contact Management

Cardhop offers a unique method for managing contacts. It leverages the existing address book utilized by the native Contacts application on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

However, it provides a significantly more streamlined and efficient process for searching, adding, and modifying contact information.

Efficient Interaction with Contacts

On macOS, Cardhop resides within the menu bar. Activation is achieved through a simple click on the icon or by utilizing a designated keyboard shortcut, granting immediate access to your contacts.

This also allows users to initiate typing, unlocking the app’s core functionality.

Contact cards can be quickly located by entering a few characters of the contact’s name.

Furthermore, information can be appended to existing contact entries directly through typing; the application intelligently identifies and saves new data.

Command-Line Style Contact Access

The application truly excels when considered as a command-line interface for contact interaction.

Users can input commands such as “call Jane”, “email Tom”, or “whatsapp Natasha”, and Cardhop will accurately interpret and execute the desired action.

This functionality is particularly useful for initiating phone calls on an iPhone directly from a Mac computer.

New Features in Cardhop 2

Cardhop 2 introduces a refreshed design alongside several new features.

Users can now create widgets featuring their frequently used actions, accessible on iOS via the home screen and on macOS through the Notification Center.

These widgets capitalize on the popularity of iOS 14’s widget system, offering enhanced user convenience.

Enhanced Integration with Fantastical

For users of Fantastical, Cardhop 2 enables the direct creation of calendar invitations to contacts.

The ability to define groups within Cardhop streamlines the invitation process for recurring events, providing a viable alternative to email aliases.

Organizational Charts and Family Trees

The application can now generate organizational charts and family trees based on the relationships defined within your contacts.

This feature proves particularly valuable for individuals working within large organizations, facilitating the identification of relevant contacts.

Business Card Scanning on iOS

The iOS version of Cardhop now includes a business card scanning feature.

Contacts can be added simply by pointing the phone’s camera at a business card, a functionality already present in numerous other applications, but now seamlessly integrated within Cardhop.

Evolution of Flexibits’ Pricing Model

Flexibits has operated for a decade, initially releasing major updates as paid downloads – a common practice for independent developers.

Last year, the company transitioned Fantastical to a freemium model, offering a free version with optional subscription access to unlock all features at $4.99 monthly or $39.99 annually.

Existing users retained access to all previously unlocked features without subscription requirements.

Continued Development and Feature Expansion

Following the adoption of the new model, Flexibits has consistently released updates to Fantastical, including quick access shortcuts for conference calls within the menu bar and application interface.

Fantastical now supports popular conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

A Unified Productivity Ecosystem

Flexibits aims to establish a cohesive ecosystem of productivity applications.

Cardhop 2 is available as a free application with a limited feature set, while full access requires a subscription to Flexibits Premium.

This subscription bundles premium versions of both Fantastical and Cardhop without altering the existing price point.

Maintaining Support and Future Development

Current Cardhop users who choose not to subscribe will continue to have access to all features available in Cardhop 1.

Regular updates to Cardhop ensure ongoing support and functionality, providing reliability for users who depend on the application for their daily tasks.

The new Flexibits Premium subscription is expected to encourage Fantastical users to explore and adopt Cardhop.