Google Keep for Android Review

Google Keep is a difficult app or service to categorize. It is a task manager of sorts, but it is also possible to use it as a virtual scrapbook just like with Evernote where you can add notes, photos, lists, and much more.

The Android app is easy to download and install. It looks similar to the Gmail app with its slide out Google login from the left side showing the currently logged in user, their image and account information. There is also a Chrome extension (inevitably given that this is a Google product here), online web web version and Android wearable app too. However, this is no cross-platform support beyond Chrome so no iOS app (Turbo Note on iOS is Google Keep compatible), Windows Phone app, etc.

Are You Safe Using Another Small Google App?

The difficulty I personally have with using another Google app product is that the company has a tendency to spray the walls with new apps and service, see what sticks and then shut down everything that is no longer seen as a core product. This leaves many users in the lurch when they have grown dependent on a particularly Google service. That is okay with Gmail where they're never likely to shut it down, but with smaller apps the digital landscape is littered with previous Google projects that they quietly scuppered when it suited them to do so.

With this in mind, it would be a good idea to ask the basic question: Should I trust my Task list, notes and other items to the company?

User Interface

 For the Android app, things look different depending on whether you're using a droid smart phone or tablet. Usually tablets deal better with To Do lists and also taking notes because there is just so much more space.

There interface using modern design principles so there is a completely flat design with modern colors used. Icons are small but distinctive.

List Management

Lists can be created quite easily and added to fast. There are little icons in the top right corner to add new sorting, add an image, and a few other options. Lists are presented overlayed over to top of the main screen.

Notes Management

Notes are the mainstay of Google Keep. Here all kinds of different notes can be created. Add meaningful quotes which can be shown in large letters on your main app screen. Capture a photographic moment and add it to a note so you won't forget it. Dictate a memo via Google Now and save it in Google Keep where it will be transcribed for you. Notes can also be color coded to help quickly visually identify the types of notes that you're looking for. There are a number of different ways to use the notes and to add new ones when you're ready.

Search Functionality

There is detailed search functionality that is included to search through lists of items and notes. This is an effective way to track down something added long ago if the color coded notes don't help to do so.

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Verdict

Google Keep uses list taking, note creation, Google Now's voice recognition and Google search features to bring it all together into a single app. This can be used across Android devices, the web and the Chrome browser.

As a To Do list manager Keep is not up to scratch with other dedicated apps for task management. As a notes manager, it fares much better. The question is whether it does anything that Evernote doesn't already do? The answer is no. Evernote is superior to Google Keep, is cross-platform and offers greater functionality with an active development team. Best of all, it is unlikely that Evernote will ever be withdrawn from the market which you cannot say for Google Keep.