Google Keep Archives

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

Google makes great apps, but these aren’t it if you ask me

Google Keep lacks advanced formatting options and a notebook feature, limiting its usability despite being a popular note-taking app. Google Tasks offers only basic task management capabilities, missing essential features like priority levels and filters. YouTube Music, while more developed, struggles with podcast integration and discovery, and has limitations in its free plan compared to competitors. Google Wallpapers has a limited selection and basic functionality, lacking creativity and integration with custom wallpaper creation tools.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

I tried one of the first Material 3 Expressive apps so I could see the future of Android

Google introduced Material 3 Expressive in May, which is set to redefine Android's design language. The recent update of the wallpaper app Backdrops to version 6.0 incorporates Material 3 Expressive elements, enhancing its interface with dynamic features such as an animated carousel on the Explore page and a whimsical pull-down refresh animation. The Search page has bold icons and oversized text for improved usability, with wallpapers displaying delightful animations. Other apps like Google Docs and Google Keep are also expected to adopt this design, suggesting a vibrant future for Android applications.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

RIP: Google finally sets a timeline for burying Reminders

Google will transition from Reminders in Calendar to Tasks in the second half of 2025, allowing reminders created in Google Keep to be saved directly to Tasks. This integration aims to streamline task management by consolidating reminders into a single application. Users will be able to manage reminders from both the Tasks and Calendar applications, while existing reminders from Keep will be labeled as “From Keep.” The transition will centralize all to-dos and reminders across Google and Workspace applications, ultimately phasing out Google Reminders as a standalone feature.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

I tested the new Gemini app on my Galaxy Watch 8, and it’s close to excellent

Gemini has begun its phased rollout on Android watches equipped with Wear OS 4 and above. It offers improved natural language command recognition and tailored responses from Google's Search LLM, allowing users to interact seamlessly with Google and Samsung applications. Gemini can create Google Calendar reminders and YouTube Music playlists through voice commands. It provides specific examples in response to queries, such as suggesting foods rich in carotenoids, and can deliver concise answers to spontaneous inquiries. Gemini efficiently pulls data from Search and Maps for tasks like finding local theater showtimes and creating calendar entries. Users can select default applications for tasks, enhancing speed and functionality. Battery consumption is manageable, with only about 20% used during a full afternoon of heavy use. However, it occasionally misinterprets commands and could benefit from brevity in responses. A "View on phone" button and better recognition of speech completion would improve user experience. Support for the new One UI 8 Watch Tile format could enhance functionality further.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

I was wrong about Obsidian: Here’s why it’s actually a powerful app

Obsidian has evolved from a frustrating app to a vital organizational tool for the user. Initially, the app's complexity and unstructured layout were overwhelming compared to alternatives like Google Keep and Notion. The user struggled with its numerous plugins and customization options, which made note-taking chaotic. However, after adopting a minimalist approach by simplifying the setup and using Obsidian's official sync service, the user discovered its potential. Obsidian's strengths include local storage of notes, a straightforward folder and tagging system, and a web clipper extension for capturing information. Despite its steep learning curve, Obsidian has become an effective tool for organizing thoughts and capturing notes.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

The best Android apps available right now

1Weather is a weather app with a clean interface, customizable widgets, and severe weather alerts, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Bitwarden is a free password manager offering unlimited storage and two-factor authentication, with premium options for enhanced features. ChatGPT is an AI service from OpenAI that allows users to perform various tasks, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Focus Go is a simple gallery app that organizes images into folders and offers a fast search and filter system, available for free. Google Drive provides 15GB of free cloud storage and integrates with Google apps for productivity, with optional in-app purchases. Google Keep is a note-taking app that allows users to create and organize notes across devices, available for free. Google Maps and Waze are leading navigation apps, offering features like offline maps and real-time traffic data, both available for free. Google Gemini is an AI tool for managing tasks and accessing information, available for free. Google Voice offers a second phone number for personal and professional use in the US, available for free with optional purchases. Microsoft SwiftKey is a customizable keyboard app with predictive text features, available for free. Mozilla Firefox is a mobile browser with extensive add-on support, available for free. Nova Launcher is a customizable launcher app for Android, available for free with an optional premium version. Pocket Casts is a podcast management app with a user-friendly interface, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Poweramp is an offline music player with extensive features, available for a free trial and optional premium version. Solid Explorer is a file manager app with a clean design and powerful features, available for a free trial and optional premium version. Tasker and IFTTT are automation tools, with Tasker catering to power users and IFTTT offering a more accessible approach, with prices starting at .49. Textra is an SMS app with customizable themes and multi-device messaging sync, available for free with optional Pro unlock. TickTick is a task management app that combines tasks, reminders, and calendar events, available for free with an optional premium plan. YouTube and YouTube Music are content apps providing vast libraries of video and music, available for free with optional premium subscriptions. Zedge offers wallpapers, ringtones, and notification sounds for device customization, available for free with optional premium content. ExpressVPN is a secure VPN service with fast speeds, 256-bit encryption, and servers in 94 countries, offering unlimited bandwidth.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Gemini Live is getting app cards for more helpful, context-aware replies (APK teardown)

Gemini Live will soon incorporate contextual cards to enhance user interactions by providing relevant information from various Google applications. This functionality was discovered through an APK teardown in the latest version of the Google app. With the activation of feature flags in version 16.25.44.sa.arm64, Gemini Live will display cards from applications such as Calendar, Keep, Maps, and Tasks during conversations. For instance, it can provide a Google Maps card when a user asks about a location and show snippets for calendar event changes. The integration aims to improve the conversational flow and verify responses, reducing errors. Additional applications, including Gmail, Google Messages, YouTube, Photos, and third-party platforms like Spotify and WhatsApp, are being explored for future integration, although timelines for these features are uncertain.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

I replaced my Kindle with this E Ink tablet that runs Android – and don’t regret it

The Onyx Boox Page is a seven-inch E Ink display e-reader priced at 9, running a streamlined version of Android 11. It allows users to download various applications, enhancing its functionality beyond traditional e-reading. The device supports note-taking in Google Keep or Docs and offers access to apps like Instagram and YouTube, although video playback is limited. It includes a protective flip case, customizable user interface options, and straightforward access to a control panel. The Boox Page features dedicated Library and Store apps, Bluetooth capability for audiobooks, and a battery life rated for up to six weeks on a single charge. It has 32GB of base storage with a microSD card slot for expansion. The device lacks automatic light temperature adjustment and operates on an older version of Android, but ongoing updates are expected.

BetaBeacon

May 14, 2025

Android 16’s new 90:10 split-screen is a game-changer for multitasking

Google is introducing a new split-screen mode for Android 16, changing the ratio from 70:30 to 90:10. This allows one app to occupy 90% of the screen while leaving 10% for a secondary app. Tapping on the smaller app swaps the sizes of both apps, allowing for easy switching between them. This new feature promises to enhance multitasking capabilities on Android phones.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google Keep finally gets rich text formatting options on the web

Google has updated its Google Keep web client to include rich text formatting options, allowing users to customize notes with bold, underline, italics, and various heading styles. These features can be accessed via an "A" button and are available to all Google Workspace customers and personal Google account users. The rollout has just begun, and users can expect to see these enhancements soon. Previously, rich text formatting was only available on Android devices since early 2023. There is uncertainty about whether existing notes will sync with the new formatting capabilities.