Posts tagged 4Notes

4Notes offers Universal access to your notes on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Access your notes from any device, and updates are automatically synced to your other devices and the web if you have a Press Start Games account. 

Since the initial release, 4Notes has added a ton of features such as Data Detectors, Drag/Drop Support, group synchronization, iPad support, multitasking, reminders, and so much more. The best news is that at $4.99, it’s an incredible value.

My goal has always been to get 4Notes into as many hands as possible. With the update of v2.0, I realized my goal of having 4Notes sync the way I’ve always wanted it to sync. In other words, not only does 4Notes sync without user interaction, the app syncs even if you leave the application (iOS4 Required with compatible hardware).

Now, my focus has turned to increasing volume. With that goal in mind, I’m proud to announce that a free version of 4Notes has been submitted to the app store, titled 4Notes Free. 

4Notes free offers many of the features of the original, premium version of 4Notes. Incredible features such as multitasking, syncing between your iPhone and iPod touch, emailing notes within the app, and drag/drop support. 4Notes Free also provides users the ability to add and update notes from our web application. 

As shown below, 4Notes Free offers a compelling package to users who want a free, simple, and powerful note taking application for their iPhone and iPod touch.

The original 4Notes offers substantial value over the free version, and will continue to be updated with enhanced functionality. Right now, the paid version offers iPad support, sync capability over cellular networks, categories, note reminders, data detectors, and lacks ads. It also offers 25x+ the storage capability. In other words, no matter what type of notes application you’re looking for, 4Notes Free or 4Notes should be able to satisfy your requirements.

4Notes Free also utilizes iAds, Apple’s ad service. If you do download the free version, please support the work by clicking on the ads. They’re really cool.

4Notes Free should be available later in the month of July, depending on Apple’s current review times.

As with my first day with MobileMe, I wanted to post some initial impressions on the iPhone 4. In short, the phone is a huge upgrade and well worth the cost. Note that I’m upgrading from an iPhone 3G, not the 3GS.

I’ve also owned the original iPhone before the 3G, but had to upgrade to the 3G due to touchscreen issues I had with my original phone (by issues, I mean it stopped working). This prevented me from upgrading to the 3GS, but put my upgrade timeline to the iPhone 4. Result? Best turn of events ever, and it only took 2 years to happen.

Anyway, on with the impressions.

The Retina Display is as good as advertised. I was, and still am, amazed at the clarity and quality of the display. It’s one of those things where you don’t notice until you actually upgrade. As an example, my 2007 Macbook display looks awful compared to the new “glass screen” current MacBook Pro, but you never notice until you use the new notebook. This comparison is the same. While I wouldn’t state that “It looks like a printed page” I will state that it is very hard to say anything bad about the display. 

However, apps that have not upgraded for the retina display produce hilarious results on the phone. For example, you can really notice the album artwork in Pandora. It’s just so pixelated now with the sweet display.

It’s Fast. The upgrade in speed is awe-inspiring from a 3G iPhone. Apps start/stop/update incredibly fast. The WiFi download and uploads seem faster, as well. Updates from Twitter or 4Notes happen much quicker. Overall, it just feels like I’m not waiting on the apps anymore.

It is finally sexy again (design-wise). I loved the aluminum back of the original iPhone, but have never been a big fan of the black plastic found on the iPhone 3G and 3GS. However, the glass back and steel wraparound make me actually love the design of the iPhone again. Everything on the phone has that “premium” vibe. Even the buttons feel premium.

iOS4? Good on an iPhone 4. I upgraded my 3G to iOS4 on June 21st, and I was (honestly) a little disappointed with the update, as many of the apps on my phone just seemed to function worse. Pandora kept stalling, and even crashed a few times. Note that this could have been the apps’ fault and not iOS, as most applications are being upgraded at this time. Also, the 3G doesn’t have multitasking, so apps, such as 4Notes, can’t offer the full experience.

On an iPhone 4? iOS4 is a dream. Multitasking support is smooth and just fun to use. Many apps are taking advantage of the fast-app switching and makes moving from application to application incredibly easy. Folders is a nice touch, and it’s nice to put the system apps I don’t use in a folder. But, with multitasking, I’m able to reach the apps I use most easily.

Threaded conversations in mail and wallpapers are also nice. Other than that, I haven’t had much time to try the other upgrades. Will add more posts as I do.

Pictures and Movies. This is a huge upgrade for me. As a 3G user, I never had the ability to shoot movies. I created one as an example and it looks great. However, I can’t compare with the 3GS, but assume with 720p export, it is a big upgrade from any phone. Pictures, as stated elsewhere, are also an improvement.

One issue, the movie I created was uploaded to MobileMe, but won’t play in the Gallery. As a new MobileMe user, I was expecting this. Am I wrong?

Overall. 2 Thumbs Up.

Version 1.1.1* of 4Notes has been submitted to Apple. Along with the enhancements for v1.1, this release provides the following.

• Last Note Shown on Startup (iPad). Previously, 4Notes on the iPad always showed the first note on startup. With this release, 4Notes starts with the last note shown on the previous run. 
• Group Synchronization Fixes: Specifically, Deletion of Groups now syncs across devices. For example, if you delete a group on the iPad, that deletion is replicated on your other Apple devices. Also, modifying a note’s group will tell 4Notes to sync the note to the cloud.
• Compose Button (iPad). Clicking the “Compose” button will bring up the keyboard, no matter if Data Detectors is enabled or disabled.

As always, feedback is always welcome.

* As of this writing, some aspects of this post talk about future features & functionality which have not been approved by Apple for distribution in the iTunes App Store. At this time, Press Start LLC does not guarantee these features will be submitted, approved, or found in a future update.

I thought that making it universal was obvious: my customers don’t need to pay again for it on the iPad, nobody accidentally buys the iPhone version on the iPad and gets a bad experience, and I get the benefits of only managing one app. Win-win.

- Marco Arment

I completely agree with the sentiment above. Universal applications are a win-win for users as well as developers. To me, as a developer as well as a user, universal applications show the user that you want them to have the best experience. 

I wish Apple had a way to filter applications when I search that promoted universal apps. I’m aware of the plus-sign (‘+’) that is beside certain applications, but I would love even more promotion. The value of universal apps to the user should not be understated. 

To understand the value users get from a universal application, take a look at a Cultured Code forum post defending separate applications for iPhone and iPad.

Things for iPad required additional resources (such as a contractor) for development and additional marketing and business development resources. 

We feel that considering the functionality and design of Things for iPad, it’s priced fairly. 

Now, circumstances for apps and developers are all different. This post is not stating that Cultured Code made a bad decision, or that they’re wrong. What I am trying to point out is that developing for the iPad and iPhone is not trivial. It is not taking completed functionality and “skinning” it with a new UI. You are creating many more views and controllers, as well as doubling your test effort to ensure a great product. 

So, I’m not against companies and developers that sell separate builds to recoup costs. However, I think users should really understand the sweat that goes into a universal build and support developers who make our lives easier. 

4Notes is a universal application. I think it is a great distinguisher that one version allows users to install on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. As time moves forward, I plan to support more apps that do the same.

You can find it here. It will be continuously updated as I receive or think of new questions.

4Notes v1.1 was submitted to Apple last night. It’s been a long road to get this new version completed, but I’m really happy with the results.

4Notes has received tons of positive feedback since its introduction 7 months ago, even being featured on the iTunes App Store front page. This version takes the simplicity of 4Notes and brings it to the iPad, allowing seamless syncing between your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. For example, make a change on your iPhone while you are out. When you get back home, the change will be on your iPad. Or, create a grocery list on your iPad and access that list from your iPhone while you are out. Syncing just works (Press Start Games Account and Setup required).

With support for the iPad, I wanted to let everyone know that 4Notes will be a Universal application. What’s “Universal” mean? It means that you pay once for 4Notes, and it will work on all 3 devices. Think about it. There won’t be a need to buy a “for iPad” or “HD” version. 

Here’s how 4Notes looks on the iPad.

and iPhone…

I’ll have much more to say about 4Notes over the next week (there are many more enhancements besides iPad support), but I wanted to first thank everyone for their support. Creating a Universal application is much more work, but the result is worth it. I’ve been creating and updating notes between devices for a while now, and am very pleased with the results.

Depending on Apple’s review cycle, 4Notes will hopefully be available in Mid-May.