All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) – iOS Today Episode 738: Notes Apps Showdown

Release Date: February 6, 2025
Hosts: Micah Sargent & Rosemary Orchard

Introduction

In Episode 738 of iOS Today titled "Notes Apps Showdown," hosts Micah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard delve into the diverse landscape of iOS note-taking applications. They compare various apps, highlighting their unique features, strengths, and ideal use cases to help listeners determine which app best fits their personal or professional needs.

1. Cheat Sheet: A Quick Notes Utility [00:44 – 02:12]

Rosemary kicks off the discussion by introducing Cheat Sheet, a minimalist app designed for jotting down quick bits of information.

• Cheat Sheet as a Reference Tool:
  Rosemary Orchard [00:44]: "I have some of my little favorites, like the one I was using this weekend called Cheat Sheet, which is a great little app for just popping up things like your hotel room number and writing those down and things like that."

• Micah's Take:
  Micah Sargent [01:30]: "It's like a notes utility or something... it's great for syncing little bits of data between devices. But, yeah, you don't really take full notes in it."

• Functionality:
  Rosemary highlights Cheat Sheet's widget capabilities, allowing users to add virtual sticky notes to their home screen for quick access to important information.

2. Apple Notes: The Default Powerhouse [02:12 – 07:36]

The conversation transitions to Apple's built-in Notes app, which has seen significant enhancements in iOS 18.

• Enhanced Features:
  Rosemary Orchard [02:12]: "Notes has had some really great improvements in iOS 18 with things like Math Notes... you can create a new Math Note and write out equations that are automatically formatted."

• Collaborative Capabilities:
  The hosts discuss collaborative note-taking, allowing multiple users to contribute and comment on shared notes, making it ideal for group projects or class notes.

• Formatting and Organization:
  Apple Notes now supports various formatting options, checklists, tables, attachments, and even handwriting recognition, making it a versatile tool for diverse note-taking needs.

3. Freeform: Embracing the Canvas Approach [08:19 – 12:47]

For users seeking a more free-form, visual approach to note-taking, Freeform is presented as an excellent alternative.

• Rosemary's Demonstration:
  Rosemary Orchard [08:19]: "Freeform is just a really lovely application... you can stick anything anywhere, hence the name."

• Infinite Canvas:
  Freeform offers an infinite canvas where users can place text, drawings, images, and connectors anywhere on the screen, allowing for a highly customizable and creative note-taking experience.

• Versatility:
  Ideal for brainstorming sessions, room planning, or any scenario requiring a flexible layout, Freeform integrates seamlessly with Apple Pencil, enhancing its drawing capabilities.

4. Bear: Streamlined Markdown Notes [12:47 – 18:11]

Next, the hosts explore Bear, a markdown-based application renowned for its simplicity and powerful features.

• Markdown Simplicity:
  Rosemary Orchard [12:47]: "Bear is a lovely little markdown application... it's a plain text-based language which is great for being able to write and then take your notes elsewhere if you would like."

• Customization:
  Bear offers custom keyboards for ease of formatting, a robust tagging system with nested tags, and a clean interface that keeps the focus on content without unnecessary distractions.

• Accessibility:
  Available for free with optional in-app subscriptions for syncing across devices, Bear is praised for its balance between simplicity and functionality.

5. Obsidian: The Networked Knowledge Base [18:11 – 21:40]

Obsidian is introduced as a more advanced note-taking app tailored for users who require a networked system of information.

• Personal Wiki Creation:
  Rosemary Orchard [18:11]: "I have sort of my own personal wiki in there... what I really love about Obsidian is there are community plugins."

• Community Plugins:
  Obsidian supports a plethora of community-driven plugins, allowing users to customize their workspace extensively to fit specific needs, from advanced tables to calendar integrations.

• Linking and Syncing:
  The ability to link notes seamlessly and sync across multiple devices makes Obsidian a powerful tool for building interconnected knowledge bases.

6. Drafts: The Automator’s Dream [21:40 – 27:31]

Drafts is highlighted for its unparalleled automation capabilities, making it a favorite among power users.

• Rapid Note Capture:
  Rosemary Orchard [21:40]: "Drafts is a place for drafting notes... every time you open Drafts, you get a new blank draft."

• Extensive Action Directory:
  With 48 pages of actions, users can automate tasks such as creating packing lists, cleaning up feedback, or managing work-related notes effortlessly.

• Customization and Themes:
  Drafts offers customizable themes and widgets, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics, allowing users to tailor the app to their workflow.

7. Notion: All-In-One Workspace [27:31 – 32:14]

Notion is showcased as a comprehensive organizational tool that goes beyond traditional note-taking.

• Template Variety:
  Rosemary Orchard [28:51]: "Anything can be anything... you can add a database as a table or board, a list, a timeline, a calendar or gallery."

• Versatility:
  From travel planners to habit trackers, Notion's extensive template library caters to a wide array of personal and professional needs, enabling users to build customized workspaces.

• Collaboration and Integration:
  Notion supports real-time collaboration, making it ideal for team projects, while its ability to integrate databases and linked pages fosters a highly organized and interconnected workspace.

8. Apple Invites: Streamlined Event Planning [33:14 – 39:09]

The hosts introduce Apple's new Invites app, designed to simplify event planning and guest management.

• Core Features:
  Micah Sargent [37:23]: "The killer feature is the ability to share photos from the event."

• Integration with Apple Ecosystem:
  Invites seamlessly integrates with shared photo albums, Apple Music playlists, weather updates, and location information, providing a comprehensive tool for event organizers.

• Privacy and Security:
  Unlike third-party RSVP apps, Apple Invites ensures user privacy and data security, aligning with Apple's commitment to protecting user information.

9. Feedback and Shortcuts Corner [39:55 – 45:58]

Listeners' feedback is addressed, focusing on specific user challenges and potential solutions.

• Chuck's Driving Focus Issue:
  Chuck: "Is there a way to disallow group chat messages and only allow direct messages from my wife or son?"
  Rosemary Orchard [40:44]: Explains that currently, the only workaround is to hide group chat alerts, which isn't ideal.

• Rosemarie's Continuous Reading Challenge:
  Rosemarie from Victoria, Australia: Struggles with the Spoken Content feature stopping at chapter ends and seeks a way to enable continuous reading for non-Kindle ebooks.
  Micah Sargent [45:58]: Discusses potential solutions like using Share Sheet to send to Kindle and invites listeners to share their methods.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with hosts encouraging listeners to share their favorite note-taking apps and participate in future discussions. They also announce an upcoming episode of Hands On Mac featuring a walkthrough of the new Apple Invites app.

Notable Quotes:

• Rosemary Orchard [02:12]: "Notes has had some really great improvements in iOS 18 with things like Math Notes..."

• Rosemary Orchard [08:19]: "Freeform is just a really lovely application that is kind of... it is a canvas. You can just stick anything anywhere, hence the name."

• Micah Sargent [21:40]: "At its heart, it is kind of letting you create a networked group of information."

• Rosemary Orchard [28:51]: "Notion is a fabulous application which is web-based and has great apps for iPhone and iPad as well."

• Micah Sargent [37:23]: "The killer feature is the ability to share photos from the event."

Stay Connected

• Rosemary Orchard: rosemary.com – Links to apps, books, podcasts, and social media.
• Micah Sargent: chihuahuacoffee.com – Links to his online presence and other shows.

Whether you're a student, professional, or casual user, this episode provides valuable insights into optimizing your note-taking strategy on iOS devices. Tune in to discover which app aligns best with your organizational style and productivity goals.