When working in the Apple universe, you can’t avoid Apple Notes. The standard app for notes is installed with the system on both iOS devices and OSX and is immediately ready for use. Notes are synchronized via iCloud within seconds, allowing you to seamlessly switch between devices while working.
The Multi-Talent
Apple Notes is a true multi-talent: it adapts optimally to all devices. Not only in appearance but also in functionality. While on the desktop it focuses on organizing notes in different folders and writing via keyboard, the main purpose on the iPhone is primarily to quickly jot down and save a thought.
Indispensable on the iPad
Apple Notes shows its true strength on the iPad in conjunction with a Pencil. You can not only enter text (via screen keyboard or now also with an external keyboard), but you also get a very efficient sketchpad with Notes.
A basic set of drawing tools allows you to create sketches, with the felt and color pens behaving as they do in reality. The Apple Pencil is actually far ahead of many competitors in its handling, the writing experience is simply as expected. No ifs, ands, or buts.
QuickNotes
An extremely useful function on iPads is the QuickNote call: When the iPad is in sleep mode, you can simply tap it briefly with the Pencil and a new note opens directly where you can start.
No login, no additional buttons – one tap and you’re ready to go. No other app has such a close integration into the system. I only know this mechanism from OneNote under Windows 10, where such a QuickNote function is also available.
Scribble
New in iOS 14 (from autumn 2020) is the Scribble function. With this, you can make handwritten notes in Apple Notes in a completely natural way. The Notes app also offers various lines and patterns for the background. The handwritten notes can then be easily converted into text that can be used in other apps.
Sharing / Bookmarking
In Apple Notes, I can not only write and draw, but I can also collect. When browsing the web, I can easily save individual web pages or excerpts from them to a new note or append them to an existing note using the sharing function. I can also save a short comment at the same time. This bookmarking function often helps me with research on topics by creating a new note and then collecting various bookmarks and snippets in it.
A few Weaknesses
So far, everything works really intuitively and absolutely problem-free. But that’s more or less the extent of Apple Notes. In everyday use, I particularly miss two functions that make me reach for other apps: structuring and export options.
In Apple Notes, you can only structure texts using formats. You can set titles and headings, which ultimately only changes the appearance of the text. Apple Notes does not save elements and structures. Markdown commands do not work. When I reuse texts from Apple Notes, I only get plain text, which I then have to structure again.
Speaking of using in other apps: unfortunately, Apple Notes offers me practically no export options. Sure, I can pass notes on to other apps via the sharing menu. But I wish I could save Apple Notes in other formats, for example as HTML or even better as Markdown.
Conclusion
Apple Notes is indispensable on Apple devices. Simply because there is no faster way to create a note and write down your thoughts. In its core functions, Apple Notes is absolutely intuitive and solid, unfortunately, it lacks a few advanced features that I need in my daily note-taking routine.
