reminder

A reminder is a signal or prompt intended to trigger memory of a task, event, or obligation. Reminders can take many forms and originate from people, objects, or digital systems. They help bridge gaps in prospective memory—the ability to remember to perform actions in the future.

Common types include time-based reminders (alarms, calendar alerts) that activate at a set moment; event-based reminders that prompt action when a specific occasion occurs; and location-based reminders that trigger when entering or leaving a place. Reminders may be externally produced, such as a notification on a smartphone, a sticky note on a desk, or a calendar entry, or generated internally, such as a mental cue to complete a task.

Applications span daily life and professional work: medication schedules, meetings, deadlines, bill payments, and routine habits like exercise. In health care and safety, reminders are used to improve adherence and reduce errors.

Design and privacy considerations matter. Effective reminders balance usefulness with intrusiveness, consider timing and context, and respect user privacy. Customization—frequency, tone, and modality—improves acceptability and adherence.

History and technology: reminders exist in various cultures and tools, including physical cues like notes and clocks, and digital reminders enabled by computer calendars, smartphones, and wearable devices. Notable examples include sticky notes, popularized since the 1980s by Post-it Notes, and calendar alerts widely used in software ecosystems.

In sum, reminders are versatile prompts that support memory and planning across personal and professional domains.