note-taking app Archives

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Google Awards the 10 Best Android Apps of 2025

Google unveiled its selection of the best Android apps for 2025 on November 18. The curated list includes: - Best for Fun: Edits - an Instagram-focused video editing app. - Best for Personal Growth: Focus Friend by Hank Green - an app that helps users maintain focus. - Best Everyday Essential: Wiser - an app that summarizes books into 15-minute digestible formats. - Best Hidden Gem: Pingo AI Language Learning - a tool for enhancing language skills. - Best for Families: ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game - an interactive platform for children aged 2 to 8. - Best Multi-device App: Luminar: Photo Editor - a sophisticated photo editing tool for various devices. - Best for Watches: SleepisolBio - an app that provides insights into sleep patterns when connected to smartwatches. - Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes - an upgraded note-taking app with enhanced features. - Best for Cars: SoundCloud - a music discovery platform for car rides. - Best for XR Headsets: Calm – Sleep, Meditate, Relax - a mindfulness resource for hectic days.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

9 Popular Android Apps That Are A Waste Of Your Money

Android's built-in security features are sufficient for most users, making paid antivirus subscriptions often unnecessary. YouTube Premium costs .99 per month for an ad-free experience, background playback, and offline downloads, but users can use the Brave Browser for ad removal and background playback for free, while NewPipe allows offline downloads. NordVPN costs .99 per month, but Proton VPN offers a free tier without data caps suitable for casual users. WPS Office Premium requires payment to remove ads and increase cloud storage from 1GB to 20GB, while Google Docs provides 15GB of free cloud storage and better functionality. LinkedIn Premium costs .99 per month but does not guarantee better job offers; optimizing a profile and networking are often more effective. CCleaner and similar apps may slow down devices, while built-in tools like Files by Google can effectively manage cache for free. Adobe Express Premium offers advanced graphic design features for a fee, but Canva provides a robust free alternative. CamScanner Premium is only necessary for advanced features; Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens offer similar functionality for free. Evernote's free version limits users to 50 notes on one device, while Google Keep allows unlimited note-taking and syncing for free. Kaspersky and other antivirus apps may be unnecessary as Android's Play Protect feature offers adequate security for most users.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Readers Share Favorite Android Apps of 2025

Users have been asked to identify the best Android app that has integrated into their daily lives in 2025, amidst a competitive landscape with hundreds of billions of global downloads. Key characteristics of standout apps include reliability, simplicity, and the ability to fill existing gaps without unnecessary complexities. Privacy is a major concern, with users encouraged to scrutinize app permissions and seek transparency in business models. Cross-device compatibility is increasingly important, especially with the rise of tablets and foldable devices. Notable apps mentioned include: - Octopi Launcher: Favored for its widget-rich interface and tag-based search. - LocalSend: Allows direct file transfers across local networks without accounts or cloud services. - Banana Browser: Known for its minimalist design and built-in media controls. - Niagara Launcher: Celebrated for its minimalist, one-handed design. - Organic Maps: Provides efficient offline navigation using OpenStreetMap. - RethinkDNS: Blocks trackers and enforces on-device firewall rules. - Obsidian: A note-taking app known for its vault-style organization and cross-device syncing. When choosing an app, users should assess transparency in the business model, data export options, and app permissions. Performance in real-world scenarios, such as offline functionality and multitasking, is also important. Users are encouraged to share their top app recommendations to help others enhance their Android experience.

AppWizard

October 20, 2025

Android App Pair: Boost Multitasking with Split-Screen Shortcuts

Android users are increasingly utilizing the App Pair functionality, which allows for split-screen usage of two applications simultaneously, enhancing multitasking and workflow efficiency. Users can create shortcuts to launch paired apps, such as a note-taking app and a web browser, facilitating real-time research and documentation. This feature is particularly user-friendly on Samsung devices and has been enhanced in recent Android versions, including Android 15, which introduces native support for app pairs. While basic split-screen functionality has existed since Android 7.0, app pairing reduces setup time and improves productivity for various professionals, including financial traders and healthcare workers. However, not all Android devices support this feature natively, and users on stock Android may need to seek workarounds. The demand for such multitasking features has increased with the rise of remote work, as they maximize phone usability for tasks like video calls and note-taking. Future developments may include AI-driven suggestions for app pairs based on user behavior.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

These are the drawing apps I recommend, but one sticks out from the rest

Drawing has evolved with technology, enhancing understanding and creativity for visual learners. Procreate is popular among iPad users, while Android offers various drawing apps. Most applications have robust free versions. 1. May: A daily planner app with an expandable canvas for doodles and mood tracking, integrating creativity into daily planning. 2. Sketchbook: Developed by Autodesk, this app features extensive tools, layering, and mirror drawing options, suitable for both beginners and advanced users. 3. Concepts: Offers a modern interface with customizable backgrounds and a variety of brushes, enhancing the drawing experience. 4. Notewise: A note-taking app that allows freeform placement of text and drawings, making it versatile for writing and sketching. 5. Microsoft OneNote: Known for its simplicity and synchronization across devices, it provides basic drawing tools and is practical for managing notes and drawings.

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 16, 2025

8 Android Apps That Will Supercharge Your Productivity

- Foxy Notes is a note-taking app that offers rich text formatting and integration with Google Drive, available in both free and premium versions. - MobileTrans allows quick and secure data transfer between devices, including specialized features for WhatsApp. - OnionShare enables private and secure file sharing using the Tor network, ensuring anonymity for users. - Rev Voice Recorder captures and transcribes audio accurately, supporting background recording and integration with Dropbox. - Memory Guardian protects clipboard privacy by automatically clearing sensitive data at customizable intervals. - Regain helps users manage screen time and promotes mindful digital habits with insights and features to reduce distractions. - WTMP monitors unauthorized access to phones by logging failed unlock attempts and requires device administrator permissions. - Safe Space is a secure storage app that encrypts sensitive files and requires biometric or PIN authentication for access. - Smart Launcher 6 customizes Android device interaction with automatic app sorting, adaptive themes, and privacy tools.

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.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Notepad gets formatting options

Microsoft has updated Notepad to include new text formatting options, such as bold and italic styles, hyperlinks, and the ability to format lists and headings. This update began rolling out at the end of last month and is currently being tested with Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels. The new features support Markdown-style input, allowing users to toggle between formatted Markdown and syntax views. Users can disable formatting entirely in the app settings to maintain the traditional Notepad experience. The update has raised concerns among users who relied on Notepad for stripping formatting from pasted text, as the new options may complicate this process. Microsoft has not yet responded to inquiries about user demand for these changes or the possibility of reverting to the original Notepad experience. The decision to enhance Notepad comes after the removal of WordPad from Windows in 2024.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Bring your PWA closer to users with App Actions on Windows

App Actions on Windows have expanded to include Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) starting from Edge version 137. Developers can now publish their PWAs to the Microsoft Store, allowing for enhanced user interactions. App Actions enable users to access key features of an app directly from their current context, reducing distractions from switching between applications. For example, the note-taking app Goodnotes allows users to send text directly to the app without toggling windows. Developers can integrate App Actions into their Microsoft Store PWAs by defining an Action manifest, setting up a custom protocol handler, configuring the app as a share target, and packaging the app for the Microsoft Store using PWABuilder. Optionally, developers can define a PWA launch handler and test actions using the App Actions Testing Playground.