Skylight Calendar 2: A Family Hub Worth the Investment?

Key Takeaways

• The Skylight Calendar 2 is a 15-inch digital calendar designed for families to centralize scheduling and organization.
• It syncs with popular calendar apps like Google Calendar and Apple Calendar, and offers features like meal planning, task management, and a rewards system.
• A paid "Plus Plan" unlocks additional features, including photo screensaver functionality, the Meals tool, and access to Skylight's AI assistant, Sidekick.
• The device's effectiveness hinges on the entire family's commitment to using it consistently.
• While the core calendar functionality is valuable, the paywalled features may not be essential for all users.

In an era dominated by smartphones and digital distractions, the Skylight Calendar 2 proposes a return to a more tangible, shared family calendar experience. This 15-inch device aims to be the central hub for managing schedules, tasks, and even meal planning, all within a visually accessible format displayed on a countertop or wall.

The Calendar 2 seamlessly integrates with existing calendar platforms, such as Google Calendar and Apple Calendar, allowing for immediate synchronization of appointments and events. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures that everyone in the family is on the same page. Beyond basic scheduling, the device offers a suite of features designed to enhance family organization, including to-do lists, meal planners, and a rewards system aimed at motivating children to complete tasks.

However, the full potential of the Skylight Calendar 2 is unlocked through a "Plus Plan" subscription. This paywall restricts access to key features such as the photo screensaver, the Meals tool, and Skylight's AI assistant, Sidekick. While the core calendar functionality remains available without a subscription, the lack of these additional features significantly diminishes the device's overall value proposition. The photo screensaver, in particular, transforms the device from a mere scheduler into a dynamic display showcasing cherished family memories.

Sidekick, the AI assistant, offers convenient tools for importing recipes, events, and lists from various sources, streamlining the process of adding information to the calendar. The voice note feature allows for quick and easy event creation, catering to users who prefer verbal input over manual typing. The Meals tool simplifies meal planning by allowing users to add recipes and automatically generate grocery lists.

The success of the Skylight Calendar 2 ultimately depends on the willingness of the entire family to embrace it as a central organizational tool. If only one or two members actively use the device, its benefits will be limited. For families already heavily reliant on digital calendars and seeking a more visually engaging and centralized solution, the Skylight Calendar 2 may be a worthwhile investment. However, for those hesitant to commit to a new digital platform or unwilling to pay for a subscription, alternative solutions may be more suitable.

The 15-inch size strikes a good balance between visibility and space-saving, making it suitable for most kitchens. While a microphone for voice commands would be a welcome addition, its absence could be seen as a privacy benefit for some.

Why it matters

The Skylight Calendar 2 represents a growing trend of integrating technology into the family home to improve communication and organization. Its success or failure highlights the challenges of balancing convenience, cost, and user adoption in the increasingly crowded market of smart home devices. It also shows how subscription models can both enhance and limit the appeal of a product, depending on the value consumers place on the additional features offered.