Google Keep’s strength lies in its simplicity – Android Police

Google Keep might not be the flashiest note-taking app ever created, but it gets the job done with its basic functionality and layout options. It lets you take notes with a widget or in no more than three taps, and it syncs across the web, smartphones, large-screen tablets, and just about anything else that can run a browser.

Its a great tool that's baked into the Google ecosystem, providing an excellent overall experience for those who want an easy-to-use and free app to jot down notes in a hurry. While some might argue its potentially a bit too basic, I'll explain why those arguments arent entirely reasonable. However, there are some valid points that Google should address sooner rather than later.

Earlier this month, my colleage Brady Snyder explained why Google Keep is struggling to keep it together. While I agree with some of his points thoughts, I disagree with the overall argument.

First and foremost, as a heavy Google Keep notes user, I can say that the app covers the fundamentals for me. As I switch between different phones, Keep is one of the best note-taking apps I can always rely on to keep my notes synchronized between devices. Be it my Mac or Windows PC, one of my Android phones, or even my iPhone, its always in sync, enabling me to save text, documents, or even images with ease to re-use on other machines and platforms.

Its closer to a stack of sticky notes than a complete digital notebook

Keeps best feature is that its simple to use. While it doesnt have any much advanced functionality, its easy to use without distractions. Its good enough to jot down anything in a rush, and Im not afraid to admit that I even used it during media briefings when Docs was just an extra tap away. Everything is saved instantly, and the integrations allow me to easily copy and paste it into Docs later, where I can format it to be more presentable.

One of the main arguments for using a different note-taking app comes down to the added functionality. Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and many other third-party note-taking apps provide more customizable options for making lists, editing text with rich editing tools, the ability to add password-protected notes, and so much more.

As much as I want to defend Keep, theres no denying that its simply too basic in its current form. While it doesnt need much else, it would be nice to have a rich text editing feature that highlights certain parts of our notes with a few simple taps.

Password-protected notes would be another neat feature Id love to see, so they wouldnt freely float around in the app when a friend or family member wants to look at our shopping lists. Of course, you always have the ability to share one specific note with someone, so thats a convenient way to keep things separate.

The fact that Keep retains the most basic tools is both good and bad. Its great because anyone can freely use the app to take advantage of its limited, but essential functionality. However, its limiting because more advanced users are unable to integrate it into their lives as it lacks some non-essential features that would add to the overall experience.

If you've ever looked at the most popular note-taking apps on the Play Store, you probably know that Evernote, Bundle Notes, Fusebase, and a few others all have additional features and ways to get work done. Users can add labels, even more tags, and set how long a certain task takes, among many others.

However, given the simplicity of Google Keep, its clear to me that it doesnt try to compete against these apps and services. Googles notes app isnt meant to take on paid offerings its a simple and quick way to take notes. The fundamentals are covered and work well across devices; by the looks of it, thats enough to retain millions of users.

Thats one of the main reasons I always rely on Keep, as the simple user interface and features dont clutter the app, and it gets the job done beautifully. If I wanted or needed more features, I could use a different service.

For some, paying for additional features, support, and an enhanced experience is a great option. In contrast, the vast majority won't pay and are happy with the simple features that continue to work, as they're integrated to let users make the most of it using different Google services.

So, while Keep isnt perfect by any stretch of the imagination, its good enough for most of us who just need a simple app. For those who want more advanced functionality, downloading a better note-taking app is as easy as downloading one from the Play Store.

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Google Keep's strength lies in its simplicity - Android Police