Mark Taylor, a freshman studying cybersecurity, says he believes he has created "a simply better planner." Taylor named it BetterCalendar and released it to the Apple App Store on Nov. 8.

According to Taylor, BetterCalendar is a "full-fledged post-mission planner."

"I had the opportunity to serve in the mission office for a bit as a technology specialist," said Taylor. "I realized a lot of missionaries wanted a post-mission Preach My Gospel app."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the Preach My Gospel (previously Areabook) app for "digital goal setting and planning" in missionary work.

Taylor heard many people claiming to be working on planning app similiar to Preach My Gospel for non-missionaries, but said he could not find one when returning home from the California Modesto Mission in May. So, he went to work making one.

"[BetterCalendar] is the most complete that I've been able to find," Taylor said.

Taylor said that the primary unique features of BetterCalendar include a map that shows locations for contacts and upcoming events, and the ability for users to create timelines for each contact. Both of these reflect features found in the Preach My Gospel app.

Another key feature that Taylor says he prioritizes is that users are able to contact him directly with requests or issues via the support email on the app.

"I respond to every single [email]," Taylor said. "I make sure that users are feeling valued."

Spencer Eveland, a freshman studying business marketing, is one of the app's first users. He downloaded it because of its similarities to the Preach My Gospel app.

"BetterCal posted a story about their new app and how it was similar to the Preach My Gospel app that missionaries use," said Eveland. "I returned from my mission almost five months ago, and I’ve been looking for an app that was similar to the app I used as a missionary."

Eveland has been overall pleased with what he has seen so far from BetterCalendar.

"My experience has been positive," Eveland said. "It's so convenient."

Eveland says he appreciates how easy it has been to contact Taylor and BetterCalendar.

"The app is on the newer side and every once in a while doesn’t work correctly," Eveland said. "BetterCal has a lot of potential, and I’m glad for the quick response time in fixing bugs."

Taylor says he is aware of imperfections in the app and that he "works rapidly" to correct them.

"I want it to be an app they are proud to recommend to friends," Taylor said. "If it doesn't meet that expectation ... send an email."

Before serving his mission, Taylor volunteered in the Sugar City School District's IT department. He said that he learned most of what he knows about software there. He now works there as a part-time employee.

"It's been a great experience so far," Taylor said. "I've learned a ton of things, and I really enjoy the people I'm working with."

Taylor says that the future for BetterCalendar and for himself is to continue on their current trajectory of growth. But as he made sure to point out, he is going to keep putting in work to improve his products.

"We'll have other apps that come up," Taylor said. "We'll have other features, we'll have Canvas integration."

Taylor has been hard at work on BetterCalendar, putting hundreds of hours into creating and updating the app.

"That's what's gotten it to where it is today," Taylor said. "But it [feels] spectacular."