Note

There are a lot of alternatives on the App Store to the built-in note-taking tool provided by Apple on the iPhone. That doesn't necessarily mean those apps are good alternatives, and in the case of IDoNote2, it is unclear what advantages you are supposed to gain by using this app, instead of Apple's.

The idea behind IDoNote2 is elementary--take notes and view them in a clean white interface. Unfortunately, nearly every aspect of the app performs poorly. From the fuzzy, low-resolution interface to a cluttered and cramped input screen and an organizational system that lacks any sorting options--IDoNote2 … Read more

Note-taking is ideal on an iPad or iPhone. It's mobile, it's wireless, and it's in your hands. But there are some note-taking apps that pull it off, and others that fall flat. EvoNotes Pro is of the latter camp, and then some. One of the messiest, note-taking apps on the App Store, EvoNotes is filled with convoluted menus, confusing interface design, and features that only occasionally work as you expect.

The first screen you see is a newsstand-style bookshelf. On it is a book of tool tips (and a help function?) that does not open when you … Read more

Why create a new interface when you can borrow heavily from Apple, a company that has become known the world over for its commitment to exceptional interface design? That's the logic behind SVG Notes and it works surprisingly well, organizing notes in an iBooks-style layout that makes finding your recent notes easy, and using the app, pleasant.

This is a note-taking app, but it goes deeper than that by integrating a number of other features. To start, you'll be greeted with a bookshelf interface that looks a lot like iBooks. Tap the Library button and you can view … Read more

Notes & Tags attempts to provide a unique experience that builds on the platform used by note-taking apps like Evernote. Unfortunately, it does not offer enough new features or tools to go above and beyond Evernote, and because both are free, it's hard to recommend this new app over the former if you are already using it.

The app is very basic. It opens to a note-taking screen where you title and create a note. You can add tags for each note that will then be used for searching and organizing your notes. Each note can be e-mailed or … Read more

Fitbit recently launched the Flex, the company's first wrist-worn activity monitor that syncs with your smartphone. The Flex uses Bluetooth 4.0 to sync with compatible smartphones (more on this in a minute), keeping your current activity stats updated.

When you first get the Flex, you'll need to do some work to get it set up, but don't worry -- it won't take you any longer than it does to wait in line at Starbucks.

Upon opening the Flex, you'll notice the actual tracker is inserted into the large wristband. Remove the tracker and use … Read more

The default keyboard on the iPhone or iPad leaves much to be desired. Without arrow keys; symbols one, two, and even sometimes three menus deep, and complicated multitouch commands to access copy-and-paste menus, it is not ideal if you plan on doing a lot of composition on the touch screen. There are many solutions, but Arrow Note offers one of the better compilations of keyboard modifications for writing on your phone or tablet.

When you open Arrow Note for the first time you'll be presented with a blank screen and a handful of options. You can search for notes, … Read more

Sometimes only so much explaining can be done with text on the screen. Adding a handwritten drawing or diagram can help pull together and solidify an idea. This is especially true when you're following along on a document that was given to you, like a business plan or notes for a class.

Polaris Office works with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF files. When using this app on a Galaxy Note series device, you can use the included S Pen to draw directly in your documents. Here's how:

First, open a document or presentation in Polaris … Read more

AT&T announced on Friday that it's rolling out an Android 4.1.2 software update for the Samsung Galaxy Note.

The Jelly Bean update for the first-generation phablet will be installed through Windows and Mac computers via the Samsung Kies software application. Once complete, the Samsung Galaxy Note will register as Baseband version I717UCMD3.

Included in the Android 4.1.2 update are the standard Jelly Bean goodies: Google Now, richer notifications, and an enhanced keyboard. The handset also benefits from a premium suite of features and behaviors, like notes, videos, and browser windows that pop up … Read more

The notification panel in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a convenient feature that allows you to quickly toggle key settings, like Bluetooth, GPS, Airplane mode, and so on. If your Galaxy Note 2 has been updated to 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, you can now customize the notification panel, except on the AT&T variant. If you have an AT&T Galaxy Note 2, we have third party app suggestions for you at the end of this post.

To customize the notification panel, go to Settings > Display > Notification panel. You'll see one check box … Read more