Note-taking apps are a dime a dozen. Some are too simple for anything but the simplest tasks. Others are rich in features that are locked behind premium accounts. Can't we have the best of both worlds?
For a while, the cross-platform note-taking app Evernote How to Use Evernote:The Unofficial Manual How to Use Evernote:The Unofficial Manual Learning to use Evernote on your own takes a lot of time. That's why we've put together this guide to show you how to get the most out of Evernote's most important features. Read More That is no longer true. While Evernote is still a remarkable app, Microsoft recently upped its game when it announced that OneNote would be freer than ever. .
Sounds like a fun statement, doesn't it? But it's true. OneNote has never been more free. Does that make it the ideal app for taking notes? What could!
The main selling point for OneNote is its sense of organization . Take a look at its interface design and you will notice that it is incredibly elegant, clean and minimalist. There are no distracting elements at all. You have your notes, your hierarchy of notebooks, and that's it.
That kind of compliment isn't typical of Microsoft, which is often known for clunky designs and unwieldy layouts. OneNote is its biggest exception and I have to say I'm impressed. It is truly one of the best apps on the market.
And I'm not the only one who has praised OneNote.
We've reviewed OneNote for Windows 8 The Perfect Modern Notetaking App:OneNote for Windows 8 The Perfect Modern Notaraking:OneNote for Windows 8 Finally, Microsoft did something right! OneNote turns your Windows 8 tablet into a useful laptop. Quickly scribble down notes and collect them anywhere. Syncing through SkyDrive automatically makes them available on your desktop. Read More We discussed OneNote on Windows Phone 5 Ways to Use Microsoft OneNote on Windows Phone 8 5 Ways to Use Microsoft OneNote on Windows Phone 8 Windows Phone users don't need Evernote; They have OneNote! You can handle images, voice memos, transcribe audio to text, sync with your desktop, and others can add to your notes. Care to learn more? Read More We have even compared OneNote for Android Springpad vs Catch vs Evernote vs OneNote. Which is the best on Android? Springpad vs Catch vs Evernote vs OneNote - Which is the best on Android? At one point, people had to carry notebooks if they wanted to take notes. Do you remember the great fashion of Moleskine notebooks? Today, smartphones have made most pocket-sized items obsolete. Why wear it? ... Read More
Which brings us to another huge point:OneNote is cross-platform . Windows and Windows Phone are obviously supported, but you can also use them across Android, iOS, Mac, and the web with OneNote Online. How the SkyDrive app and OneNote Web can help your online research. I was really excited to learn that SkyDrive gives you a free OneNote web app that you can use to do just about everything you do with your OneNote desktop app. When… Read more .
Thanks to built-in OneDrive sync (formerly SkyDrive), you can access the same notes on all of these devices.
When OneNote first came out in 2014, Microsoft released OneNote 2013 as a free download for Mac and Windows Microsoft released OneNote 2013 as a free download for Mac and Windows OneNote from Microsoft is now completely free and also available for Mac, which means OneNote is now a cross-platform app Available on Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Read More Sure, that meant anyone could download it and start taking notes right away, plus it was also available for Mac at the same time.
But there were still some important features that lay behind a premium version available only to Office 365 and Office 2013 customers. With its latest announcement, Microsoft has Removed all restrictions from the free version of OneNote. .
So what restrictions were lifted?
Sections can be password protected. The great thing about OneNote is that each notebook is divided into sections and each section contains multiple pages . Instead of locking notebooks, OneNote lets you lock sections for more control.
Revision history for pages. Version Control For Writers Not Just For Coders:Superior Version Control Systems For Writers Not Just For Coders:Superior Version Control Systems For Writers Mention of version control or revision control makes it seem like something for the geeks. You may be surprised to learn that version control systems have their place not only in academic writing but in... Read More It can not only function as a system for data backups, but can also help you recover earlier drafts that no longer exist in the archive. OneNote now has built-in version history for all notes.
Audio and video notes.. Audio and video notes are nothing new, but OneNote allows you to take notes that are tied to specific timestamps on recordings. That way you can quickly jump to certain sections on demand (for example, lecture notes).
Audio and video search.. OneNote can even find certain sections of audio or video based on a text search. If your corporate manager mentioned "renewals" at the last meeting, but you don't remember when he said it, you can literally look it up.
Embedded files. Feel free to embed files directly into notebooks. OneNote can handle them just fine.
As you can probably tell, OneNote is simple yet powerful. There are plenty of other features worth learning about to maximize your note-taking productivity 5 Ways To Be Productive With Microsoft OneNote 5 Ways To Be Productive With Microsoft OneNote Do you feel the need for an offline organization tool that also exists on the Web? ? Surprisingly, Microsoft has found the perfect solution:OneNote. Read more . Done right, OneNote can make your life so much easier.
You're not sure where to start? Check out these OneNote tips for beginners 5 Ways to Take Advantage of Microsoft OneNote 5 Ways to Take Advantage of Microsoft OneNote Read More And if you still yearn for more, continue with these advanced OneNote tips. 10 awesome OneNote tips you should use all the time. 10 Amazing OneNote Tips You Should Use All The Time Microsoft OneNote is just as good as Evernote. OneNote is the digital equivalent of a folder, giving you more organizational control. We show you the effective settings for taking notes that you will love. Read more.
Do you use Microsoft OneNote? If so, how does it compare to other note-taking apps you've used? If not, will these new free features be enough to entice you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
