Rating: 
Updated
Please note that this review was recently updated to reflect change made by the app’s developer. The updates are clearly noted within the article’s text.
I don’t know about you but I find it of utmost importance to have my upcoming calendar entries staring me in the face at all time. I put everything in my calendar so for me, my calendar is the window into my day. With Pure Calendar, that window is wide open with a multiple of options on how exactly you wish to look through it. Pure Calendar allows you do add a widget to your home screen and display your upcoming calendar entries in a variety of ways, colors, sizes and skins. This is a must have for anyone who wishes to put their calendar to good use.
Details
Developer Email: koxx3@free.fr
Price: €1.49
Version Reviewed: 1.3.9 (some screenshots taken in previous versions)
Features
If you are lucky enough to have switched from BlackBerry to Android (congratulations) you may feel that you are missing a very nice feature that the phone provided. While not exclusive to BlackBerry, today screens allow users quick access to the latest calender information right from the main screen.
- Skinnable – There are a nice amount of skins to fit anyone’s needs
- Multiple Widgets Sizes – 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 3×2, 4×1, 4×2, 4×3 and 4×4. Phew!
- Date/Time Format – A variety of options for how the date and time is displayed
- Text Color – Nine different text colors (at the moment)
- Optional Calendar Display – If you use multiple calendars (i.e. US Holidays, etc.), you can choose which to display
- Event Options – A multitude of ways to display events (and more keep getting added with each update) including my favorite, “Show event calendar color”
- Update Frequency – Set how often the widget is updated, the most important available value being “On Calendar Modification”
Screenshots
This widget gives you the option to set everything from the calendar’s font color to its update frequency, the latter being a great feature for any widget to avoid being a resource hog. Some other settings include setting the number of widgets lines (rows) used per event and a plethora of options for how to display the event. The former is a great option if you use descriptions when
Interface
If you are familiar with this developer’s work (Weather Forecast Widget, Pure Grid Calendar Widget), then you will be no stranger to this talented XDA Developer’s interface. There are two interfaces for this app as there often is for widgets with settings. The first interface allows you to set up the widget and the second interface is the widget itself. The settings interface is pretty standard yet very functional. Once you select your widget’s size from the add widget screen on your home screen, you are taken to the setup screen. Once you set your desired settings you can either save and exit using the default skin or you can continue on to the skin screen. This part might be a little confusing at first. There are two buttons at the bottom of the settings screen: one reads “Save and exit” and the other reads “Save and skin.” It might make a little more sense for one to say “Finish” and the other to say “Continue and skin” or just “Continue” like you might see in a standard Windows setup wizard. Nonetheless, once you get it, you get it. UPDATE: This had been changed. See Usability below. If you choose to exit, your widget will be displayed. If you choose to skin your widget, you will be taken to a screen where you can choose from a variety of skins which total more than twenty from which to choose at the time of this writing. Although it might be a bit confusing when selecting a skin (you need to long press to reveal the options), I think it can be excused. While the setup screen is not the best I’ve ever seen, the options are plentiful and the widget is really what you paid for.
The second interface is the widget itself. While I think it is excellent—note the high rating—there is always room for improvement which I will discuss in the What I’d Like to See section below. With a plethora of display options and nearly two-dozen skins from which to choose, Pure Calendar’s interface is a winner. It is not only functional but adds to the look and feel of your home screen and phone in general. The interface is both beautiful and easy to use and the developer is constantly updating its features to satisfy user needs and recommendations.
Usability
Pure Calendar is a bit lacking in the usability area as far as the setup screen is concerned but for some reason I don’t hold it against the app. There is a small learning curve as compared with other apps but there is hardly any real consistency among Android apps anyway so I don’t feel this is such a big deal. Once you use the app once or twice you will be an expert and the somewhat poor usability will be overshadowed but the excellent app. Besides, once the widget is on your home screen and you have set your desired settings, there isn’t much more you need to know. In this area, Pure Calendar is fine. I do feel, however, that there are a few things lacking. While the Refresh and Settings buttons are obvious, the Quick Add feature (activated by touching the top of the widget) and the agenda (activated by touching anywhere on the widget) are not immediately obvious. DONE!
UPDATE: The developer of Pure Calendar is so responsive that just about every issue (I use the word “issue” very loosely here) that I had had with this app has been fixed/updated. The setup flow has now been changed to be much more fluid. The Quick Add feature can now clearly be accessed from the widget as an add button has been added. You still have to click anywhere on the widget to get to the agenda but I am so used to this now that I feel it’s no longer an issue. I’d still like to see this changed to be able to click individual items as per my What I’d Like to See section below.
What I’d Like to See
- Ability to Click Individual Entries- As with other smartphones with today screens, being able to click and individual calendar is a nice feature. This way, you can easily see details not available on the widget and be able to quickly edit the entry without having to first go to the agenda.
- Change Font Style – Even though this section is supposed to be about what I want to see and I don’t really care to change the font’s style, I think others would like that ability so I threw it in the mix.
Show Event Description – I originally wanted to be able to show the location using more than one line but the developer of this app is very quick and has already added two features that I had had on this list. So now that that’s done, I’d like to be able to see the event’s description as well. Additionally, perhaps some of the other information can optionally be shown. While it may be a bit much, it would be nice if I could pick and choose.DONE!- Ability to Show/Hide Events – I would love to be able to, for example, long-press an entry and be able to hide it. Sometimes I don’t want an entry to be shown for a variety of reasons. Perhaps it is private or I would rather allow room for a more important entry. While I am requesting things, the ability to long-press on an entry an be presented with calendar options would be nice. Hey, a guy can hope.
Price
More than fair for what you get particularly because this developer provides frequent updates using feedback he receives from users. You will not be disappointed. If you rely on your calendar, this widget is an absolute must.
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I completely agree! Pure calendar is my favorite app in the market. The only thing i would add would be the ability to choose whether clicking anywhere on the widget takes you to either agenda view or say month view (week, day…whatever). I love options! The more the better.
Thanx for the great review.