One thing that everyone I meet that has an iPad wants to do is to sit in a meeting and take notes, almost the way they did it before. Me too! So I’ve been on a quest for the “perfect” notetaking app. I haven’t found one yet, but I’m getting closer to my desired app.
Here’s what I’m looking for:
- able to input text by typing or handwriting
- handwriting recognized
- able to draw figures, arrows, etc. on the page
- allow me to organize the files in folders
- sync to a file repository in the cloud – either Dropbox, Evernote or Google Apps
- able to freely write on the page and have the app know “hey, this is real text turn it from handwriting to text.”
I’ve narrowed my search down to a few but none is yet perfect.
- NoteTaker HD
- WritePad
- PhatPad
- Livescribe
NoteTaker HD
This does a great job of allowing me to take notes on the fly mixing handwriting and graphic annotations. This was the clear winner on speed.
| able to input text by typing or handwriting | Yes | |
| handwriting recognized | No | |
| able to draw figures, arrows, etc. on the page | Yes, plus some predefined shapes | |
| allow me to organize the files in folders | No | |
| sync to a file repository in the cloud – either Dropbox, Evernote or Google Apps | Can upload, but pretty clunky | |
| able to freely write on the page and have the app know “hey, this is real text turn it from handwriting to text.” | No |
WritePad
Price: $9.99 on iTunes
This is best when I want to do handwriting to text. There is a bit of a distraction when watching the handwriting translate, but I suspect that will decrease over time. I’ve also noted the software seems to be getting trained to recognize my handwriting better….or maybe it’s training me.
| able to input text by typing or handwriting | Yes | |
| handwriting recognized | Yes | |
| able to draw figures, arrows, etc. on the page | No | |
| allow me to organize the files in folders | Yes | |
| sync to a file repository in the cloud – either Dropbox, Evernote or Google Apps | Great sync with DropBox – two way! | |
| able to freely write on the page and have the app know “hey, this is real text turn it from handwriting to text.” | No |
PhatPad
Price: $7.99 on iTunes
I haven’t tried this as much, but it’s from the same folks as WritePad and does allow mixing of handwriting and text. This is the one I’ve currently pinned my hopes on. The question will be whether I can easily switch among modes.
| able to input text by typing or handwriting | Yes | |
| handwriting recognized | Yes | |
| able to draw figures, arrows, etc. on the page | Yes | |
| allow me to organize the files in folders | Yes | |
| sync to a file repository in the cloud – either Dropbox, Evernote or Google Apps | Great sync with DropBox – two way! | |
| able to freely write on the page and have the app know “hey, this is real text turn it from handwriting to text.” | Kind of. I can write a whole page and then select the text and have it turned into text. If you mix in graphics, they will get erased, though. |
Livescribe Pen
Price: $99 and up in various configurations
This is not an iPad app but an actual pen and paper. The pen will capture your written notes as well as audio. You can play back any part of the audio by tapping on the associated notes you were taking on the paper or in the uploaded version on your computer.
| able to input text by typing or handwriting | No…it’s paper | |
| handwriting recognized | Kind of with the additional app, but in my experience it’s just not worth it. | |
| able to draw figures, arrows, etc. on the page | Yes | |
| allow me to organize the files in folders | No, they are organized by page in the notebooks. | |
| sync to a file repository in the cloud – either Dropbox, Evernote or Google Apps | Stays in the pen until you dock it for recharging. Gives you access in your online Livescribe account as well if you upload and allows you to sync with Evernote. | |
| able to freely write on the page and have the app know “hey, this is real text turn it from handwriting to text.” | Kind of. I can write a whole page and then select the text and have it turned into text. If you mix in graphics, they will get erased, though. |
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You might try Notability. It allows for linked audio recording to notes. Supports outlining, different fonts, sizes, bold, italics, and insertion of webclips and pictures. You can draw diagrams and insert them with the text automatically wrapping around. Save your notes by subjects and use the search function to find notes quickly. You can export your notes to the cloud (Dropbox, webDAV, iDisk) in multiple formats to continue editing on a computer before you return them.
Thanks for this, it’s very useful.
good afternoon friends
This article I was of particular interest because all the applications that appear on the compilation are very good applications
Congratulations and congratulations on the article
1 salute
Pat,
Thank you for this list. My school is also searching for the best notes app…this page and the breakdown of each app is helpful. Thank you. Tricia
you might want to try a look at Beesy, http://www.beesapps.com/beesy-ipad-to-do/, interesting way to address the problem of meeting notes.
Interesting as well to generate automatic To-Do from your notes and follow-up on them.