When the Skylight Calendar came to my attention, it was initially perceived as a tool tailored for families. Many devices, like the Hearth Display, are marketed as family organizational solutions. However, residing solo, I discovered that my Skylight is an incredible asset, even without the chaos of children.

This ingenious digital organizer is designed to streamline various aspects of daily life. While the manufacturers also produce digital photo frames, the Skylight Calendar truly stands out. It functions as a calendar aggregator, task manager, meal planner, and doubles as a picture frame. Available in a standard 15-inch configuration or a massive 27-inch variant, it can be conveniently mounted on walls in either orientation using a simple clamp system.

Exceptional Calendar Features

The calendar feature is undoubtedly the highlight of the Skylight Calendar. Users can seamlessly integrate existing calendars from platforms such as Google, iCal, Outlook, Cozi, or Yahoo. Multiple calendars can be synced simultaneously, each represented with unique colors, making it easy to distinguish various aspects of daily life—whether coordinating with family members or differentiating between work and personal commitments.

Aside from importing existing events, it’s possible to enter new events directly into Skylight. However, given the prevalence of existing digital calendars, it’s likely most users will rely on syncing their pre-existing calendars for updates.

Dual Functionality as a Digital Photo Frame

The Skylight Calendar also features digital photo capabilities, a competitive edge against standard digital frames such as Aura and Pexar. Additionally, it allows users to upload personal images, making it a perfect hybrid tool for shared family planning and digital display (provided you have a Pro subscription). Users can send images directly to your Skylight if you share accounts or by emailing them to a designated Skylight address.

The process of emailing photos to the Skylight might seem dated, but for those who prefer simplicity, especially older relatives who may shy away from new technology, this feature is invaluable. Friends and family can easily share memories without the need for apps, making the Skylight an affectionate communication bridge.

Utilizing Sidekick for Task Management and Chores

The Skylight boasts an intriguing feature called Sidekick (available with the Pro subscription), allowing users to capture printed or handwritten text—such as recipes or flyers—and seamlessly add them to relevant Skylight categories. For instance, taking a snapshot of a to-do list from another app can immediately transcribe the items into Skylight. Testing its capabilities with a problematic school flyer showed that it could accurately pick up essential details like the event name and date.

Additionally, Sidekick can operate as a voice tool, letting you verbally communicate tasks or events directly to Skylight. While integration with voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant would enhance expediency, accessing Sidekick remains straightforward.

Creating Customized Lists in Skylight

Skylight allows for the creation of various types of lists, ranging from shopping lists to general to-do lists. Although there are particular limitations—such as the absence of subtasks or the inability to assign deadlines or specific users—these straightforward lists are still functional for basic organization. For a more intricate setup, the “Chores” feature may be a better fit.

Managing Tasks with Reusable Chores

The “Chores” feature serves as a practical task management system. Users can designate tasks to family members, set deadlines, and establish recurring chores while implementing a reward system—referred to as “stars”—to motivate task completion. Separate from standard task lists, Chores grants greater functionality by allowing for unique assignments.

While not as robust as more specialized task management apps like Asana or ToDoist, the Chores feature provides specific functionalities that cater to family dynamics. However, a noticeable gap exists in its inability to utilize Sidekick for quick task additions.

Meal Planning with Skylight

The Skylight’s meal planner, included with the Pro subscription, can generate menus tailored to individual preferences. For example, simply inputting “I don’t like oatmeal” effectively removed all oatmeal suggestions from the meal plan. Users are also able to upload personal recipes or utilize Sidekick to share photos of their favorite dishes, which can then be added to grocery lists.

This meal planning tool is surprisingly beneficial, even to those living alone. While numerous dedicated meal planning applications exist, the inclusion of such a feature within a comprehensive organizational tool is certainly worthwhile.

Challenges Encountered with the Skylight Calendar

Despite the impressive capabilities of the Skylight Calendar, one significant drawback is its inability to directly aggregate tasks from popular apps such as ToDoist or Asana. A workaround is syncing these applications with Google Calendar, which then syncs to Skylight. While this solution is manageable, it would be preferable to have direct task functionality integrated within Skylight.

Cost of the Skylight Calendar

The Skylight Calendar is priced at $319.99 for the standard 15-inch model, while the larger 27-inch version costs $599 and is currently on backorder. In addition, an optional annual subscription for $39, referred to as the Pro Plan, is recommended to unlock advanced features, although it is not mandatory. A free month is offered to test the Pro Plan features, allowing potential users to evaluate their necessity.

Evaluating the Value of the Skylight Calendar

Families are likely already accustomed to using various applications for tasks, planning, and meal organization. Investing in Skylight can prove worthwhile, especially for those managing complex households. For individuals, it’s a helpful tool—especially for those with attention challenges—thanks to its location and visibility. While more premium family management solutions exist, they often come at a much higher price, and those considering Skylight might find it offers an excellent balance of features.