Blog Post #2 - Web/Mobile App Critique

Web/Mobile App Critique

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Google Keep

For this discussion, I chose to write a review on Google keep, a note-taking app.

Using Google Keep, I can seamlessly access notes, web links, shopping lists, and pictures needed for quick reference. I save passwords, account numbers and directions. One of my favorite features is one that permits me to select images and files and save them directly to Google keep using the share symbol.

Google keep is such an essential tool in my daily life that strongly recommend it to anyone who may need a cross-platform cloud-based solution to note-taking. I especially enjoy this app because I am notoriously forgetful so that I can set reminders for bills. When looking for an old password or account number, the search feature within the app eliminates the need for endless scrolling and sifting through saved notes to find one thing.

I was recently able to assist my mother in the hospital (she's fine) with identifying her medications because I took pictures of her medications as well as her insurance cards. Being a die-hard Android user, Google keep's integration with my phone, computers and tablets add a bit of much-needed convenience to my hectic life. On my windows computer, I simply open a web browser and go to Google’s home page, then select it from a list of web apps, I prefer Google chrome so I installed a plugin that give me quick and easy access to Google keep. During my last online class, I saved links and videos quickly and conveniently.

More recently, I have made use of the “Checkbox” list feature for my shopping; as I go through my list at the grocery store, I simply tap on the item, and it gets crossed off and sent to the bottom of the list as completed. While making the list, the app recognizes everyday items and makes suggestions which can be seen in one of my screenshots.

I've personally used the "draw" feature to create directions and take down measurements when time was of the essence. I find Google keep being more user friendly than other apps I've used such as Evernote.

I've used Google keep's audio recording feature to remind myself of a variety of things, or just to quickly record an idea that I may use for work or an assignment.

I would like to see Google add bio-metric protection to this app in addition to my phones integrated security. Some of my other apps give me the option to use my fingerprint to access them. It would be a welcomed feature for me since many of my notes contain sensitive information.

I would also like to see Google add a video recording feature to the list of features.

Lastly, I would recommend better integration within the Android platform’s calendar app. I would like to see events in the calendar app automatically update in Google Keep and vice versa.

In response to my discussion post one of my classmates suggested using different email addresses for each category and boy was I glad I took her advice! I'm not ashamed to admit that organizational skills are not on my list of accolades. For the sake of privacy my classmate's initials are "NN", see part of her reply below. 

NN wrote: "I use a different email account for each category of notes to keep it all organized, a shared email for household things (shopping lists, reminders, to do lists, etc), one that is for work things (or things I think of at work but would otherwise forget by the time i get home, and the other way around), and one for my personal things (random notes, projects I'm working on, etc)."  

In addition to "NN's" reply I received a recommendation from my classmate "JG" for an app called Evernote. While I have tried Evernote in the past, I am willing to revisit it now that I know Evernote provides a fingerprint security feature. See "JG's" reply below. I edited a name out for this blog post.

JG wrote : "It makes me want to try it out, especially since "NN" is a big fan of the app as well.  You've both sold me on this as well.  I love apps that let me use my fingerprint as it makes it easier to sign in to the app instead of entering my username and password.  That's a feature that Evernote has so hopefully, they will add that to Google Keep."