Simple Calendar gets a noteworthy update, including a transparent Tile for Windows Phone 8.1

Simple Calendar is one of our favorite third-party calendar apps for Windows Phone, and even though the native calendar improved in Windows Phone 8.1, this app still has a great design. Today, version 4.5.2.0 is live in the Store and if you’re on 8.1, you may have had the app auto-update.

So what’s new? We have all  the details.

Simple Calendar 4.5.2.0

  • Add ability to edit/delete appointments
  • Tiles now default to use transparent background (so start screen background image shows through)
  • You can now see private appointment details
  • You can now show/hide certain calendars per account (ex: hide US Holiday calendar)
  • App settings now automatically get backed up and restored when you reinstall the app
  • Performance improvements
  • Lots of bug fixes

Technically speaking, Simple Calendar has had a ‘transparent’ Tile for sometime, so that’s not new with today’s update. But now, it defaults to it, which is probably a good idea since this feature seems to be a big hit with those of you running the 8.1 Preview for Developers.

If you’re running an older version of the app, once you update, you’ll need to manually change to the new transparent design, which can easy be done via the app’s settings > go to “tile settings” > Step 2 > select “StartScreenBackgroundImage”. For new users, you’ll get the transparent Tile automatically.

The other improvements and features, like being able to edit an appointment (deep links to the native calendar, seamlessly) is a huge reason to consider using this app. Many people hate the “two worlds” of native versus third party calendars, but with this update, things are much better now.

Simple Calendar also has a great selection of Live Tile templates, which you can optionally choose to purchase based on your preference (I’m a Frodo fan, myself).

Pick up Simple Calendar for free in the Store. You can remove ads, add templates and more at your will via in-app purchases. Windows Phone 8.0/8.1 only.

QR: Simple Calendar

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.