Keeping Notes the Google Way : Google Keep

Finally, Google has released a note-taking application which syncs through the cloud. This means your note is available across your Google powered devices as well as across the web through their web applications. This morning, Google Keep was released in the Android Play Store and made available to the web through this link.  A few years ago, Google Notebook was introduced, unfortunately like many of the Google apps that was discontinued, it had to go. I was waiting for a relaunch, then Evernote came and blew me away. Now that it has emerge as Google Keep, lets see if it can satisfy our simple requirements. This is a new app and we should expect improvements and features in a few more weeks. Until then, we can only decide if we go with Google Keep or keep Evernote :-)


The Interface

I have to commend Google for its simplistic approach on UI design. This one is intuitive and really simple to use. The minimalistic approach always is a win for for me.

By just looking at the available options, you could easily add a text note, a list, a voice memo or a note with an image. further on top you can easily search or change settings. Shown below is the entry interface for each type of notes.

Adding a Note	Adding a List
Adding a Voice Note	Adding a Photo

To make your notes more distinct, you can assign colors to each. The option is easily accessible on the menu strip just on top of the editor.

 

 

The Layout

 

The default layout used to present the list of notes is almost similar to Google+, however, you can always change it in the settings. There are two layouts, the multi view and single view layout.

  

Multi View	Single View

The Archives

Yes, the application supports archiving. This enables you to hide some notes that you don't really need at the moment but might need it in the future. Thus, avoiding some cluttering.  The good news is that Google Keep implemented the "swipe to  archive" feature in GMAIL. User can simply swipe the note either to the left or right to add it to the archive.

The archive view	Archive actions

Note Sharing

Sharing your notes to your social network, email or any other supported application has never been this easy. The app , just like any android application, gives you the easiest way to share notes through the accessible share menu in the settings.

 

Initial Thoughts.

 

 

The Google Keep is the simplistic approach to taking down notes.  With a lot of note taking apps available in the market, its main selling point is its easy integration to the google workflow. With this application, your data are all available under one large space which can be managed by the various apps Google has to offer.  Do take note that you need a google account to use this.

 

The application, however, is still on its initial phase. I would expect more improvements as it moves along. My "must haves " includes tag support, notebook style arrangement ( ala Evernote), google drive integration, easy switching from google account to the other ( like GMAIL)  and rich formatting options on composing various notes.

 

For now, Ill stick with Evernote for my long term note management. But I will definitely use Google Keep to replace the memo application I use for taking down temporary scribble of thoughts.