'Clear' To-Do App Gets Total Design Overhaul and New Feature Set

[MacRumors]

Clear is a to-do list app that was first launched in 2012, and while it has received few updates since that time, it has remained popular with users due to its easy-to-use design and simple layout.

Impending, the team behind Clear, has been working on a major revamp for the last several months, and Clear 2 is launching today. Clear 2 has the same general design and function as the original app, but there are new gestures for more fluid list making, new color themes, an edge-to-edge design, updated fonts, quote packs, sound themes, app icon options, and more.

Creating and managing lists in Clear has not changed. Tap anywhere to add an item to a list, and swipe to either check it off or delete it. A tap at the bottom of the app goes to a list overview, and a second bottom tap leads to personalization options, rewards, the shop, and an archive of completed items.

Users can have an unlimited number of lists and items on the list, and the simple design of the app puts the focus on what's upcoming. Items on the list can be dragged and dropped between lists, and a swipe and hold to the left allows a time and a date to be added. Screenshotting a list brings up a share sheet so you can share a text or image version of the contents with a friend.

As with the original version of Clear, using the app unlocks collectibles like unique colors for lists, and just using the app will provide users with new themes and fonts to choose from. There are also haptics and sounds when checking items off, adding new items to the list, and using other app features.

Clear is no longer a paid app and it is free to use, and Impending has a clever monetization strategy. There is an entirely optional store with themes, fonts, sound packs, and app icons that change on a daily basis. The cosmetic options available for purchase do not affect the core functionality of the app, but do offer unique customization options.

Clear 2 can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and those who have the existing version of Clear will get the update without having to redownload the app. [Direct Link]

Article Link: 'Clear' To-Do App Gets Total Design Overhaul and New Feature Set

 

[Elyzien]

OurGroceries is better for shopping.

 

[nutmac]

Clear brings back many fond memories, a pinnacle of minimalist design.

I stopped using it because it did not integrate with Apple's Reminders data, which still appears to be the case.

 

[linkmaster02]

Wow, a blast from the past! Clear’s simplicity was so unique back in the day.

 

[GermanSuplex]

Wow, an app that focuses on core features, offers it for free and tries to find a way to recoup funds in a more imaginative fashion that simply adding a subscription free for the sake of it, or stunting features that could be offered with a one-time purchase.

Sounds like a solid app.

 

[billykendall]

Wow, an app that focuses on core features, offers it for free and tries to find a way to recoup funds in a more imaginative fashion that simply adding a subscription free for the sake of it, or stunting features that could be offered with a one-time purchase.

Sounds like a solid app.

A JOY to use!

 

[pdaholic]

This app was my favorite years ago. Looks like there’s still no cloud sync, and no Home Screen widgets.

 

[CrazedVW]

I've used Clear since its introduction. I've tried other to-do apps over the years but I've always come back to it because of its simple, minimalist interface that just works for making lists of stuff I need to do. I'm glad it's finally been updated and glad the developer didn't add a bunch of unnecessary crap to it.

 

[ignatius345]

Funny this popped up. Just a couple days ago I was trying to remember what this app was called. I tried it aeons ago and then moved on (Things), but it is a really nice design.

 

[netsped]

How can a simple list/task app be over 400 MB in size?

 

[RondoReggie]

How can a simple list/task app be over 400 MB in size?

Exactly my thoughts. Used Clear for years, but it became buggy on newer OS, and didn't receive many updates. Just tried this 400MB behemoth, and it feels slow, sluggish, and the animations are WAY overdone.

 

[ignatius345]

Wow, an app that focuses on core features, offers it for free and tries to find a way to recoup funds in a more imaginative fashion that simply adding a subscription free for the sake of it, or stunting features that could be offered with a one-time purchase.

Agenda is really good with this too. I really appreciate developers who are doing more than just renting out their software.

 

[fede777]

How can a simple list/task app be over 400 MB in size?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1744190760705032311

https://twitter.com/x/status/1744227370754531509

 

[Xavier]

Clear brings back many fond memories, a pinnacle of minimalist design.

I stopped using it because it did not integrate with Apple's Reminders data, which still appears to be the case.

Thanks for pointing that out. Used to use this app in the past, but will skip redownloading

 

[gijsmans]

The app was hot and refreshing years ago. Developers should have taken a beer to celebrate and go on with their lives. This app has no future, which is not a bad thing.

 

[sw1tcher]

Clear is no longer a paid app and it is free to use, and Impending has a clever monetization strategy. There is an entirely optional store with themes, fonts, sound packs, and app icons that change on a daily basis. The cosmetic options available for purchase do not affect the core functionality of the app, but do offer unique customization options.

How refreshing it is to see an app not move to a subscription-based model. 👍

 

[gank41]

I've been using Clear for a very long time, and now after this update all but 3 of my lists are gone.. Also, none of my themes carried over. There's a post on their own support forums with Dee-links to re-add a few of the themes they introduced during the betas, but that doesn't help me. And again, almost all of my lists are just gone now. If I'm having to start over, there's plenty of other options now, like tot or even the Apple Notes app, considering all of the improvements since Clear initially released years ago. I'm pretty bummed about missing my lists, though. Will teach me to keep specific notes just in one app... #SadFace

 

[jonnysods]

Why are people complaning about the app size? Is their internet data capped or something?

 

[BJMRamage]

Wow! I remember using Clear and thinking how fresh it felt to use as opposed to other reminder/task Apps.
Eventually I began using Apple Reminders as a shared to-do/list.


Had you not said it was overhauled I would have thought this just started to be a free app. It doesn't appear to have major changes...maybe a good thing

 

[robbietop]

Is there a way to create daily lists that repopulate every day?

 

[nph]

I used to love this app but the lack of iCloud integration made it useless since I used it on all my devices, iPad, iPhone, Macs etc.
Have they actually got iCloud sync to work now?

 

[gaanee]

I was using it a long time back but eventually deleted it because it doesn't sync with Apple's Reminders app. I prefer to have calendar and reminder apps sync with the default app so there is one central place otherwise it feels scattered in separate apps.

 

[2540497]

No Apple Watch app…not great

 

[srbNYC]

Without sync, unfortunately it cant replace Reminders for me--although I'd love it to.

Man, did I used to love this app on my phone and on a corner of my Mac desktop: clean, simple, intuitive, pretty, elegant, small screen footprint on Mac. Exactly what I need my To Do list to be.

 

[jonblatho]

Why are people complaning about the app size? Is their internet data capped or something?

Not that it's any of your business, but maybe so. Maybe they're on a slow connection. Or maybe they didn't want to blow perfectly good money on Apple's absurd upcharges for device storage upgrades.

In any case, 400+ MB for a checklist app is obscene. As an iOS developer myself, my hunch is all of the IAP personalization options (most notably including fonts and sound packs) are included in the app download and you merely unlock access to what's already stored on your device. If true, that's hideously poor optimization by the developers. That's been a solved problem for years and years — download the extras individually upon purchase. So, this app is likely on the order of 10× the size it could/should be, otherwise I am forced to assume that they've loaded the app with a bunch of random analytics/tracking SDKs.

Granted, not every dev cares about not wearing out their welcome on folks' devices.