Apps and Mobile Sites: Notetaking

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The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License 

App. Free. In App Purchases for premium features. Android. Phones, Tablets, Computers. Operating system varies by device. Notetaking.

Calendar Calendar. Sticky Notes. Checklist.

Features / Uses

• Color-code your notes using different background colors
• 2 types: Basic text notes (best for short notes, I believe) or checklists
• Tap to mark off / unmark items on a checklist
• Can re-sort the checklist to put the open items first and the completed items last
• Can make a note into a "Sticky Notes" that always displays
• Can share notes with others
• Option to password-protect notes
• Can search your notes
• Several ways to sort your notes (but you cannot specify a note-by-note order - it's only pre-built sorting options, not your priority order. Closest option is to sort by reminder time.)
• (Optional) Set reminder notifications on notes
• (Optional) Add notes to a calendar
• (Paid only) Sync and backup online
• Want to volunteer? Help translate the app into additional languages.

Limitations

• Parts of the service require internet access
• People using Grammarly or using autocorrect on some devices may need to turn those settings off.
• The Google Play site notes that the option to login via Facebook is currently not working. The FAQs on the developer’s site state that the issue was fixed on August 31, 2023.

Supports Available

• Detailed FAQs on the developer’s website
•  Email to contact the developer

App . Free 30-day trial. About $130 per year personal subscription. Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Chromebooks. Phones, Tablets, Computer. Computer program with supplemental phone / tablet apps. At least Android 7.0 (but they recommend Android 10 or higher). At least iOS 12.0 (but they recommend iOS 13 or higher). "Latest version" of Chrome. (Older versions may still work, but the company does not guarantee it.). "Latest version" of Microsoft Edge. (Versions 80 and newer may still work, but the company does not guarantee it.). Notetaking.

Notetaking. Mashups.

Features / Uses

• Records audio
• Each phrase is visually represented by a bar, not by text.
• Add “Review” icons, notes, and tasks to mark important points.
• Add Headings to divide your notes into chunks
• Use the definition button to look up a word. The system will add a brief definition from Wikipedia.
• Add images or slides
• Listen to any part of the recording. Access the entire recording or the audio associated with a specific note, icon, or task.
• Can speed up or slow down the audio
• Copy your notes to your computer’s clipboard.
• Print your notes and the accompanying slides and images
• Access a list of all your tasks. Tasks can be from multiple recordings (“events.”)
• Search within your notes. Notes can be from multiple recordings (“events”)
• Sync between your computer and your phone
• Can organize recordings into “collections” 
• Set a timer to help you study your notes

Limitations

• Not cheap
• Most of the features are available on the desktop version. The app is a limited companion tool.
• You can record offline, but it requires internet access to interact with the recording
• The developer recommends that you do not use private mode, incognito mode, or a similar option. Your notes will disappear when you close the browser if they have not fully synced to the cloud.
• The developer’s FAQs note that the product does not fully follow the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
• According to the FAQs, people who use Macs need to use the browser if they want to record a Zoom meeting.
• Copying your notes only copies text (including the Wikipedia definitions). The “Important” or “Review” icons will not appear unless you added a note to that icon.
• No built-in text-to-speech option for your own notes.
• You can only add one set of slides per “event.” You will need to create a new “event” if you want to save a second set of slides.
• The timer does not make any sound and the visual indication that the time has ended is easy to miss.

Supports Available

• FAQs on website
• Tutorials on website
• Contact Us form on the website
• Email the developer
• Developer is responsive to app reviews

App . Full Price (Under $10). iOS. Phones, Tablets, Computers. At least iOS 14.0. At least MacOS 12.0. Notetaking.

Audiorecording. Audiotranscription.

Features / Uses

• App navigation works with VoiceOver
• Speech-to-text
• Search within the notes
• Use many languages
• Edit notes
• Edit audio files
• Sync across devices
• Use Dark Mode

Limitations

• May need Apple iCloud to process some files

Supports Available

• App Support page on Zendesk has FAQs
• Use the Zendesk help form on the website
• Contact the developer via social media

App . Free if you already use OneNote. In-App Purchases. OneNote costs more than $50 per year. Notetaking. Android, Apple, Windows. Phones, Tablets, Computers. At least Android 9.0. At least iOS 15.0. At least Windows 10.

Notebook. Sticky Notes.

Features / Uses

• Type, draw, or speak your notes
• Designed for mixing and matching different kinds of content
• Designed for lengthy notes
• Share content with others and co-edit content
• May be familiar since it is built into Microsoft 365 suite at MCPHS
• Supports several languages, including Arabic and Vietnamese
• Microsoft has a whole section of their website dedicated to accessibility features in OneNote  
• Can convert handwritten notes to typed notes

Limitations

• Parts of the service require internet access
• Some features are not available on some devices
• Several Android users have reported issues with syncing recently
• People have reported that the Android version does not work well with the option to speak your notes.
• Microsoft is such a big company that it might be overwhelming to find the answer to your question

Supports Available

• Microsoft has extensive support pages for their products
• Chat with support or contact Microsoft through other means for additional help

App . Free with in-app purchases. Personal subscription (under $10 per month) or pro subscription (under $15 per month) for unlimited mindmaps and extra features. Business subscription for additional features (under $20 per month). Discounts for students and educators. Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux. Phones, Tablets, Computers (via the browser). At least Android 5.0. At least iOS 15. At least Chrome 85. At least Firefox 78. At least Opera 73. At least Microsoft Edge 87. At least Safari 13. Notetaking.

Mindmapping.

Features / Uses

• Up to 3 mindmaps in the free version. Will need to subscribe to add more mindmaps.
• (Optional): Use a template to save time
• Type ideas to add to your mindmap
• Add links, images, videos, or files
• Show relationships between different ideas (think critically about the content)
• Import text files or files from some other mindmapping tools
• Add colors and icons
• Drag and drop parts of your mindmap to another part of the screen
• Sync across devices
• Collaborate with others on the same mindmap
• Export as text in outline format
• Export as PDF or image (personal subscription version)
• Export files as Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint (Pro subscription version)
• Print mindmaps (subscription versions)

Limitations

• Free version only allows 3 mindmaps
• If you get a trial of the paid version, you have to cancel it at the end of the week. If you do not cancel it, they will assume you want to keep the paid version and will start charging you.
• Requires internet access to sync
• The vendor's website has a complicated structure. You may have trouble finding some of the support options.

Supports Available

• Help Center on website
• Help option in (subscription) app menu
• Video tutorials on website
• Training on website
• FAQs on website
• User community
• Email the developer
• Contact Us form (for sales) on website
• Developer has been responsive to app reviews in Google Play and the App Store

App . Free. Under $5 (monthly subscription). Under $20 (yearly subscription). iOS, Mac. Phones, Tablets. At least iOS 15.0. At least MacOS 12.0. Notetaking.

Mindmapping. Checklists.

Features / Uses

• Create and edit mindmaps
• Import and export content in several file formats
• Use any of 15 supported languages, including Chinese and Korean
• Add searchable tags to different parts of your mind map (subscription version only)
• Use the mouse, touchscreen, or keyboard shortcuts to add onto your mind map
• Add icons ("stickers"), emojis, or photos to different parts of your mind map (subscription version only)
• Add links to websites or links to files stored on your device (subscription version only. In the free version, you can type a URL, but it will just be text.)
• Add progress markers to turn your mind map into a checklist (subscription version only)
• Click and drag to reorganize parts of your mind map
• Temporarily hide parts of your mind map
• Turn your mind map into an outline
• Create an outline and turn it into a mind map (subscription version only)
• Use Dark Mode (subscription version only)

Limitations

• Data is processed in several different countries
• If you get a trial of the paid version, you have to cancel it by the end of the second week. If you do not cancel it, they will assume that you want to keep the paid version and will start charging you.
• Currently no option for live collaboration with others
• Search box on the support site is difficult to use on a phone

Supports Available

• User Guide
• Support center on website
• Blog
• Email the developer
• Contact the developer via social media

App . Free. In-app purchases. No in-app ads. Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux. Phones, Tablets, Computers. Android operating system varies by device. At least iOS 13. Notetaking.

Notebook. Checklists.

Features / Uses

• Type, talk, or write / draw
• Scan, paste, or attach images or documents
• Rich text editor so you can format your text and add highlights, underlines, etc.
• Add reminders
• Stack sticky notes to organize into projects / themes
• Move content from one note / document to another
• Sort and shift notes around however you need
• Search within notes - (at least on IOS, you can even search within the audio notes)
• Collaborate with others. Only one person can edit at a time.
• Can password-protect notes
• Can use fingerprint to unlock notes
• Data is encrypted during storage
• Has a "Night Mode" option to reduce eyestrain
• Supports several languages, including Arabic and Vietnamese

Limitations

• Features differ slightly from operating system to operating system

Supports Available

• Zoho has an extensive support website
• FAQs on website
• Email Zoho Corporation
• Developer is responsive to app reviews

App . Free (with banner ads). Android. Phones. At least Android 5.0. Notetaking.

Notetaking. Sticky Notes.

Features / Uses

• Type and edit unlimited notes
• Organize your notes into folders
• Use read mode or edit mode
• Search within your notes Undo changes
• Use lined or unlined display
• Back up your notes online
• Import .csv files or export your notes as .csv files
• Add sticky notes
• Password-protect your notes or use finger or face recognition protection
• Use the option to temporarily opt out of ads
• Use Dark Mode

Limitations

• Appears to be created and supported by a single developer
• Developer's site has little content

Supports Available

• Email the developer
• Help button in the app
• Developer is responsive to app reviews on Google Play

App . Free. In-app purchases (under $10). Paid Pro version has more features (under $10). iOS. Phones, Tablets, Computers. Optimized for iPad. At least iOS 14.2. At least macOS11 and an Apple M1 chip. Notetaking.

Notebooks. Notetaking. Annotated Documents.

Features / Uses

• Create notebooks or projects
• Add folders and subfolders
• Create and format a text document 
• Scan a document
• Insert an image
• Add handwritten notes
• Add typed notes
• Dictate notes
• Search within your notes or search and replace text
• Change font and background colors
• Highlight
• Use templates
• Use night mode
• Share notes in several file formats
• Write in multiple languages
• Get Chat GPT-powered editing suggestions

Limitations

• Free version only allows 2 notebooks

Supports Available

• Help Center on website for FAQs, User Guide, and video tutorials
• Interact with the developer’s social media
• Email the developer
• Use the Help form on the website.
   

App . Free (with ads). In-app purchases (under $30). Android. Phones. At least Android 5.0. Notetaking.

Notes. Checklist.

Features / Uses

• Type brief notes
• Create checklists
• Change the font color
• Add reminders
• Text your notes to others
• Search your notes
• A widget, not an app
• Has a dark theme

Limitations

• The developer's website still uses http even though https has been the internet standard for several years
• Limited support available
• Appears to be created and supported by a single developer

Supports Available

• Email the developer
• The developer is responsive to app reviews in Google Play

App . Free base with in-app purchases. Additional features with a paid monthly (between $10 and $20, depending on operating system) or annual (between $90 and $100) PRO account. Additional features with a paid Small & Medium Business plan. Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux. Phones, Tablets, Computers (via the browser). At least Android 5.0. At least iOS 13. At least Chrome 67 (if accessing via the browser). At least Firefox 59 (if accessing via the browser). At least Safari 15 (if accessing vie the browser). At least Microsoft Edge 88 (if accessing via the browser). Notetaking.

Autotranscription.

Features / Uses

• Transcribes up to 300 minutes per month with a max of 30 minutes at a time
• Transcripts include punctuation and capitalization.
• Transcripts do not include filler words
• Identifies speakers (after you edit enough transcripts for it to recognize voices and match them with names)
• Automatically identifies top highlights from the meeting
• Automatically includes slides shared during the meeting
• Highlight, edit, and copy notes. Can insert images and a limited number of pre-recorded videos and audio files.
• Search by keyword
• Share notes with others
• Export as audio and text files. With PRO, can export as additional file types
• Has a deleted items folder in case you delete something by accident. Files are only stored there temporarily.
• Otter.ai integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams
• Designed for accessibility

Limitations

• Requires internet access
• Requires either a built-in or an external microphone for your device
• Does not work when you are using a headset
• May need to disable sound cancelling tools on your device
• Requires an Otter.ai account (free unless you want PRO features)
• For two years in a row, the vendor has reduced how much a person can do.

Supports Available

• "Help Center" on website
• Contact form on website
• Email the developer
• Contact via several social media platforms
• Developer responds to app reviews

App . Free to download. In app purchases for $1 to $15. Monthly or yearly subscription for premium features. Android. Phones, Tablets, Computers. Designed for larger screens, but can be accessed and used on smaller screens. Operating system varies by device. Notetaking.

Notetaking. Annotated Documents.

Features / Uses

• Upload or write / draw
• Erase
• Move, resize, or reuse content elsewhere
• Zoom in and out without losing quality / legibility
• Select from a wide variety of "paper" types. A limited number of "paper" types are free. Others can be purchased. Others are only available as part of a subscription. Some of the options include a calendar, graphing paper, a checklist, and lined notebook paper. 
• Change the page color
• Use as slides for a presentation, or print to PDF, PNG, or JPEG
• Export files in their proprietary format to share notes with others
• Deleted notes are moved to Trash and can be either restored or permanently deleted from there.

Limitations

• PDF import is only part of Squid Premium
• Graph paper is only part of Squid Premium
• Pricing details are difficult to find
• Cannot search within notes in the free version.
• No speech-to-text option

Supports Available

• FAQs on website
• Email Steadfast Innovations, LLC
• Developer is responsive in the Google Play app reviews.

App . Free (with ads). In-app purchases (under $10). Android. Phones. At least Android 6.0. Notetaking.

Sticky Notes. Checklist. Calendar.

Features / Uses

• Type, dictate, paste, or import text files to create notes. (Uses Google's API for speech-to-text)
• Add links to images, videos, and files
• Have the notes read aloud (text-to-speech)
•  9 (according to the website) 16 (according to the Google Play description) ways to sort notes, including by length of note
• Search within the notes
• Make notes into Sticky Notes
• Add reminders to tasks
• Export notes as text or share via emails
• Can password-protect notes
• Integrates with Google Drive
• Deleted notes go to the Trash file and can be restored

Limitations

• Requires internet access
• The developer's website and the description in Google Play differ on some details.
• Privacy Policy is only three bullet-points long

Supports Available

• FAQs, Tutorials, and Release Notes on developer’s website
• Email developer
• Developer is responsive to app reviews in Google Play.

App . Free (but uses ads).  Can purchase a separate "Pro" version (for under $10) that does not use ads. Android. Phones, Tablets. At least Android 4.4 with Google Voice (unspecified version. Used to need at least v6.15.24.21) or Google Speech Recognition & Synthesis (unspecified version). Notetaking.

Notes List. Calendar (Integrates with Google Calendar).

Features / Uses

• Dictate notes using audio (speech-to-text)
• Play back your notes using text-to-speech to check for the speech-to-text's accuracy
• Share notes via text
• Search within notes
• Integrates with Google Calendar, which allows setting reminders
• Multi-lingual speech recognition and display options. Includes Arabic, Vietnamese, and Korean.
• "It can work with the phone screen turned off."

Limitations

• Designed for short notes
• Unclear if the navigation controls work with TalkBack or if the speech-to-text/text-to-speech is just for convenience
• Privacy Policy link goes to their Facebook page. No real privacy policy (or at least no policy that is easy to access.

Supports Available

• Email the developer
• Contact via Facebook
• Developer is responsive in Google Play app reviews

App . Free (with ads). In-app purchases (under $40). Android, Apple. The developer anticipates adding an option for Windows soon too. Phones, tablets, Macs. At least Android 4.4. At least iOS 15. At least MacOS 12 and at least an Apple M1 chip. Notetaking.

Notes. Checklist. Sticky Notes. Calendar.

Features / Uses

• Type, dictate, or handwrite notes
• Add images
• Add audio
• Add color-coded labels
• Add Sticky Notes
• Sort in five different ways
• Create checklists
• Checklists auto-refresh to put all uncompleted tasks before the completed tasks
• Add reminders
• Access a calendar with the associated notes. It is the app's own calendar, not the Google calendar
• Add a password, PIN, or other security feature
• Integrates with Google Drive
• Use several language options, including Chinese and Vietnamese
• Volunteer translation project to make the app available in more languages

Limitations

• Tips videos do not include narration
• The system syncs every two hours plus when you add new notes. It can use a lot of data.
• The alternative text for the PIN option is not clear. It is simply “hyphen.”

Supports Available

• Tip pages on the developer's website use videos to demonstrate different features
• FAQs page on the developer's website
• Email the developer
• Developer is responsive to app reviews in Google Play and the App Store