Google has released its awaited note taking app Google Keep. The app is open for download currently on Android devices running 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and above. The free app offers powerful and creative tools to capitalize on the fact that we always have our phones, and always forget one thing or another. It allows the ability to create notes and lists in a simple fashion by use of voice, text, or even pictures. There is even direct access from your lock screen with Android 4.2 and up to prevent any stream of consciousness from being lost.
With color coordination, audio recordings or voice to text, instantly adding images, widgets and cloud storage through Google Drive across multiple devices and Google accounts there is a good amount of freedom in how you organize and create. The display is brightly colored tiles similar to the live tiles on Windows 8 phones which make it all easy to see and understand. Instantly search your notes and achieve with a swipe round out the ease of access for a truly a smooth and responsive interface. It does exactly what it claims to do with flying colors. Adding in voice and image is fast, the text works flawlessly, and the voice recognition is on par with most other.
However useful the Keep service is though, when it comes down if it is an app worth getting is all a question of what you want. In comparison to Evernote, there is a noticeable lack in functionality (Drawing notes, emailing notes, searchable images, business card reader, video recording) and it makes it harder to offer to someone looking to maximum efficiency or just available features. This is more of a day to day way to organize your thoughts which is far from a bad thing. This is Google’s way creating a versatile note taking app, and when looked at with Google Now it makes sense for Google users.
Google Keep can still be very useful in a casual sense. Its simplicity will be alluring for many who want a smooth experience. Updates can and mostly will bring a lot to the table to strengthen it as a whole and would be welcome additions. So in the end, the fact that the app is free is more than enough to warrant at least an attempt. However, limited functionality and other competition like Evernote are its to biggest problem. If Google treats this as a work in progress and delivers then it can be great, but until then it is just good. Watch the video bellow, read the original blog post here, or just check out the app today.