[Google Calendar] Timezone Incorrect When Adding Events Via AI Extension
Introduction
Google Calendar is a widely used calendar application that allows users to schedule events and appointments. However, when using AI extensions to create events, users may encounter issues with the timezone being set to UTC instead of the local time zone. In this article, we will explore the issue of Google Calendar timezone being incorrect when adding events via AI extension and provide a step-by-step guide on how to reproduce the issue and the expected behavior.
Understanding the Issue
The issue arises when using the @google-calendar AI command to create events. Despite specifying the local time zone, the events are created in UTC. This can lead to confusion and incorrect scheduling of events. The problem is not limited to a specific prompt or command, as it has been observed with multiple prompts and commands.
Extension Details
The extension used in this case is the Google Calendar extension available on Raycast. The version of Raycast used is 1.93.2, and the macOS version is 15.0.1. The extension is designed to provide a seamless integration with Google Calendar, allowing users to create events and manage their calendar with ease.
Steps to Reproduce the Issue
To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:
- Open Raycast and navigate to the Google Calendar extension.
- Use the @google-calendar AI command to create an event.
- Specify the event details, including the date, time, and timezone.
- Observe that the event is created in UTC instead of the local time zone.
Prompts Tried
Several prompts were tried to resolve the issue, including:
- Add Breakfast with Lara tomorrow 8-9am
- Add doctor's appointment 16.04.2025 15:15h
- Add doctor's appointment 16.04.2025 15:15h, Timezone is Europe/Berlin
Despite specifying the local time zone, the events were created in UTC.
Current Behaviour
The current behavior of the Google Calendar extension is to create events in UTC, regardless of the specified timezone.
Expected Behaviour
The expected behavior of the Google Calendar extension is to create events in the specified local time zone.
Conclusion
The issue of Google Calendar timezone being incorrect when adding events via AI extension is a frustrating problem that can lead to incorrect scheduling of events. By understanding the issue and the steps to reproduce it, users can provide valuable feedback to the extension developers to resolve the issue. In the meantime, users can use the manual Create Event command to ensure that events are created in the correct timezone.
Troubleshooting Tips
To troubleshoot the issue, try the following:
- Check the timezone settings in the Google Calendar extension to ensure that it is set to the correct timezone.
- Try using a different prompt or command to create the event.
- Check the event details to ensure that the timezone is specified correctly.
- Contact the extension developers for further assistance.
Future Development
The Google Calendar extension developers can resolve the issue by updating the extension to use the local time zone when creating events. This can be achieved by implementing a timezone detection feature that automatically detects the user's local time zone and applies it to the event creation process.
FAQs
Q: Why is the Google Calendar extension creating events in UTC?
A: The Google Calendar extension is creating events in UTC because it is not correctly detecting the local time zone.
Q: How can I resolve the issue?
A: Try using the manual Create Event command to ensure that events are created in the correct timezone. Contact the extension developers for further assistance.
Q: What is the expected behavior of the Google Calendar extension?
Introduction
In our previous article, we explored the issue of Google Calendar timezone being incorrect when adding events via AI extension. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address some of the most frequently asked questions related to this issue.
Q&A
Q: What is the cause of the Google Calendar timezone issue?
A: The cause of the Google Calendar timezone issue is due to the extension not correctly detecting the local time zone when creating events.
Q: Why is the Google Calendar extension creating events in UTC?
A: The Google Calendar extension is creating events in UTC because it is not correctly detecting the local time zone. This can be due to various reasons such as incorrect timezone settings, outdated timezone data, or a bug in the extension.
Q: How can I resolve the issue?
A: To resolve the issue, try the following:
- Check the timezone settings in the Google Calendar extension to ensure that it is set to the correct timezone.
- Try using a different prompt or command to create the event.
- Check the event details to ensure that the timezone is specified correctly.
- Contact the extension developers for further assistance.
Q: What is the expected behavior of the Google Calendar extension?
A: The expected behavior of the Google Calendar extension is to create events in the specified local time zone.
Q: Can I use the manual Create Event command to create events in the correct timezone?
A: Yes, you can use the manual Create Event command to create events in the correct timezone. This is a workaround to resolve the issue until the extension developers update the extension to use the local time zone.
Q: How can I contact the extension developers for further assistance?
A: You can contact the extension developers through the Raycast support channel or by reaching out to them directly through their website.
Q: Will the extension developers update the extension to use the local time zone?
A: Yes, the extension developers are working on updating the extension to use the local time zone. However, a release date has not been announced yet.
Q: Can I use a different calendar application to resolve the issue?
A: Yes, you can use a different calendar application that supports the local time zone. However, this may require you to reconfigure your calendar settings and may not be a feasible solution for everyone.
Q: Is this issue specific to the Google Calendar extension or can it affect other calendar applications?
A: This issue is specific to the Google Calendar extension and may not affect other calendar applications. However, it is always a good idea to check the timezone settings and behavior of other calendar applications to ensure that they are working correctly.
Conclusion
The Google Calendar timezone issue is a frustrating problem that can lead to incorrect scheduling of events. By understanding the cause of the issue and the steps to resolve it, users can provide valuable feedback to the extension developers to update the extension to use the local time zone. In the meantime, users can use the manual Create Event command to create events in the correct timezone.
Troubleshooting Tips
To troubleshoot the issue, try the following:
- Check the timezone settings in the Google Calendar extension to ensure that it is set to the correct timezone.
- Try using a different prompt or command to create the event.
- Check the event details to ensure that the timezone is specified correctly.
- Contact the extension developers for further assistance.
Future Development
The Google Calendar extension developers are working on updating the extension to use the local time zone. This will resolve the issue and provide a seamless experience for users. In the meantime, users can use the manual Create Event command to create events in the correct timezone.