Clear

CNET Editors' review

by: Jason Parker on April 23, 2012

This app won't take the place of Reminders or other scheduling apps that offer alarms--Clear sticks to simple list making, and it does a fine job.

The first thing I noticed about the app is the lack of interface buttons. You never hit a button called "menu" or rely on arrows to turn pages (though you will use the iPhone type pad). Instead, you navigate around this to-do list app using swipes and pinching gestures with delightful sounds as you complete each action. While looking at a list, a swipe down creates an empty list item so you can type in your next task. A swipe to the left on an item deletes it from the list. A swipe to the right crosses out an item and puts it at the bottom of the list for when you want to see each completed task. You can touch and hold an item to drag it down the list, or do a pinch gesture to go one level up to see all your current lists. I found that once I got the hang of the various gestures, creating and managing lists became second nature.

You have a few options in settings that are worth noting as well. Different themes are available to give you some variation on the default Heat Map theme. You can also choose Graphite (blue-gray), Pretty Princess (pink), Lucky Clover (Green), or Theme Noir (black and gray). There are even a few hidden themes that take some work to unlock. Unfortunately, you won't be able to make different lists different colors in Clear because you can only change the global theme. Also worth noting in the settings is the Tips and Tricks section, where you'll find many of the common gestures described.

A recent update to Clear adds a few feature enhancements and other tweaks that fans of the app will appreciate. You can now shake your phone to undo your last action. There is no longer a character cap for your list entries (be careful with this one lest your list point turn into an essay. RealMac Software has also added new hidden themes (CNET's Jason Cipriani gives you the clues here). Other tweaks include new UI elements, the option to display the iOS status bar, added inspirational quotes, and more.

Clear is a fairly simple task manager, but offers an ease of use that makes it convenient for those who like to make exhaustive lists. If you just want a way to make lists and cross off tasks, Clear is an elegant choice.

Publisher's Description

From Realmac Software:

50% off for a limited time, to celebrate the launch of Clear 1.1! Life is messy. Keep it together with Clear, an amazing new app for list-keeping that is unbelievably simple, quick and satisfying to use."Clears interface is elegant and clever" The New York Times"Clear is quick, simple, intuitive, and perfect for busy people" Gizmodo"If youre regularly turning to a simple to-do list app Clear is definitely going to wow you." TechCrunchClear is designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind and works great with any list you throw at it!Try it with a: Personal todo list Shopping listQuick notes list for phone numbers and thingsList of movies to watch, or books to readGuest list for that partyBucket list for those big life goalsWe became obsessed with how to simplify our lives without adding clutter Our solution is Clear.Give it a try and tell us what you think.Clear for iPhone is not affiliated with or endorsed by CLEAR Wireless.

What's new in this version: Clear 1.1: The SECRET Update Shake to Undo: a popular request, and now all yours. Character Cap is now voluntary. With great power comes great responsibility Secret Themes! How secret? So tantalizingly secret we can't say more.Plus MORE tweaks and fixes, thanks to your awesome feedback! New option display the iOS status bar. Improved the tap-to-create-item behaviour at the bottom of lists. 25% added inspiration (more quotes!) Shiny new UI elements Fixed legibility in low-contrast situations with... See all new features

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