Latest news with #note-taking
Forbes
10-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Cvent App May End Bad Conference Notes And Blurry Screen Photos
AI-driven text capture and summarization technology from Cvent can replace most traditional ... More conference note-taking. Picture this: You're sitting in a dimly lit conference room or convention ballroom, listening to a speaker who has something interesting to say. You are frantically scribbling notes while trying to photograph slides displayed on a distant screen. Later, back at your hotel, you're squinting at blurry photos and deciphering handwriting that looks like it was written during an earthquake. Sound familiar? This frustrating ritual is repeated millions of times at business events worldwide. The good news is that it may finally be obsolete thanks to a breakthrough from event technology company Cvent. Today, I saw a new product in use at their annual Cvent Connect conference in San Antonio. In a packed ballroom with thousands of attendees, the company demonstrated a major advance in conference note-taking. Cvent's new feature transforms the traditional note-taking experience through real-time speech transcription combined with intelligent content capture. Attendees can now see a live, accurate transcript of the speaker's words directly in the event app. Amazingly, there was virtually zero lag between spoken words and displayed text. Seeing the text appear as the words came out of the speakers's mouth seemed almost magical at first. Here's how it solves most of the note-taking problem: instead of frantically writing illegible script, attendees simply tap a button when they hear something worth remembering. The system automatically captures not just that moment, but a full minute of the speaker's words. "Instead of scribbling notes on a notepad, they're just clicking a button," explains McNeel Keenan, Cvent's VP of Product Management. "We capture the last 40 seconds, and since maybe that speaker hasn't finished their point yet, we're going to capture the next 20 seconds." Raw transcripts aren't particularly helpful buried in a phone app weeks later. That's where artificial intelligence transforms captured content into something genuinely useful. The system automatically generates concise summaries of each captured segment and creates descriptive labels, eliminating the need for attendees to organize their own notes. "We use AI to make it valuable for the attendee," Keenan notes. "We summarize what was in that minute and we give it a little label so they don't have to label their own notes." The company plans to expand the feature to automatically capture whatever appears on screen when attendees hit the "snapshot" button—potentially ending the epidemic of blurry PowerPoint photos forever. No more stretching to photograph slides from the back of the room, or missing the slide completely because your phone went to sleep. From an attendee experience perspective, Cvent's innovation addresses a classic friction point that most people considerd unavoidable. Conference note-taking has remained stubbornly analog, creating unnecessary effort and often disappointing results. Writing notes and taking screen photos while trying to absorb complex information is far from ideal. The cognitive load of simultaneously listening, writing, and photographing content often means missing important nuances or connections. By eliminating the mechanical aspects of most note-taking, the new system allows attendees to focus entirely on listening and engaging with content. The technology reduces the effort required while improving the quality of preserved information. Early implementation at Cvent Connect demonstrated impressive technical performance. The transcription accuracy appeared remarkably high, even in a large venue with ambient noise, and the response time was virtually instantaneous. "I was amazed at how fast it was," Keenan observed. "It was coming in like 2 to 300 milliseconds, right behind the speaker." Perhaps more importantly, the system requires no additional effort from speakers or event organizers. Unlike previous attempts at presentation transcription that required speakers to use unfamiliar software or upload materials in advance, this event app-based solution works with any presentation style or technology setup. The new technology will also simplify the dreaded 'summarize for the boss' or 'share the highlights with the team' phase of the event. As Keenan explains, "When people get back to their office, they don't need to send a big email to their boss justifying the dollars they spent. They can share the key takeaways, they can share with their colleagues, and hopefully that'll be the reason that they get to bring two other colleagues next year." It's easy to imagine the app or its output being used to further distill the notes into useful summaries, even podcast-like audio overviews to be shared or used to refresh one's memory. I'd personally feed them to a model like Claude to suggest applications for the ideas, identify quick wins, etc. While the immediate benefit focuses on attendee experience, the technology creates something potentially more valuable: unprecedented insight into what actually resonates with audiences during presentations. As a speaker, I know when I see lots of audience members raise their phones to capture one of my slides that I've said something that resonates. What I can't do is remember later which slides got the most interest, much less quantify that attention. With this app, every time someone taps to save content, they're essentially voting for that moment as particularly valuable or interesting. This creates a real-time feedback loop that conference organizers and speakers have never had access to before. This revealed preference data represents a significant advance over traditional post-event surveys, which suffer from poor response rates and recall bias. Instead sketchy reports from a few attendees about what they found valuable, organizers can see exactly which moments sparked enough interest to warrant saving. The real test will be adoption and refinement of the technology as it scales beyond Cvent's own events. But for anyone who has ever returned from a conference with a collection of illegible notes and unusable photos, the promise is clear: better technology can preserve more value with significantly less effort. In a follow-up article, I'll explore how this seemingly simple innovation could reshape conference programming and speaker selection through the unprecedented audience engagement data it generates.
Android Authority
10-06-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
10 productivity gadgets that will help you work smart in 2025
Dedication and determination can go a long way, but it's also true that the right equipment can make you much more productive. Some products are made with productivity in mind, from the concept's inception all the way up to the production line. Here at Android Authority, we are a content and productivity machine, and we've tried it all. Take a look at our productivity gadgets to catch a boost when you most need it! SPONSORED NOTE and NotePin NOTE NOTE MSRP: $159.00 Effortlessly capture and transcribe every meeting, call, lecture, or voice memo with this credit‑card sized AI recorder. Dual‑mode precision mics ensure crisp audio on your phone or in person, and the onboard AI (powered by GPT‑4.1, o3‑mini, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5 Pro) instantly transforms recordings into searchable, summarized notes in over 112 languages—empowering you to stay present while PLAUD does the note‑taking work for you. See price at NotePin NotePin MSRP: $159.00 A pill‑sized, versatile AI voice recorder you can clip, pin, strap, or wear as a necklace—ready at a moment's notice. With a tap it captures in-person conversations, transcribes in 112+ languages, auto‑summarizes with speaker labels, and stores everything securely in the PLAUD app and cloud. Boasting 20 hours of continuous recording and effortless one‑press operation, it's ideal for journalists, students, creatives, and pros who need reliable, hands‑free minutes. See price at We're spearheading into a new era. The evolution of artificial intelligence is changing the way we do everything, and with so many great tools at our disposal, it makes no sense to use your classic voice recorder or take notes using pen and paper. Introducing a company revolutionizing note taking with AI intelligence. has currently launched two products, the PLAUD NOTE and the PLAUD NotePin. These handy accessories can record voice, of course, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Leveraging AI, they provide precise voice-to-text transcription and content summarization. It offers extensive language support, transcribing in over 112 languages, along with intelligent speaker labeling and paragraph division. Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Both devices offer the same core functionalities and are priced identically at $159. The key distinction lies in their design and intended use. The PLAUD NOTE, with its credit card-like shape, is incredibly slim and can magnetically attach to the back of your phone via a MagSafe-compatible case. This makes it ideal for business meetings and office environments. Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority The NotePin is even more compact. Its versatile design allows for easy portability through magnetic attachments, a clip, or a wristband, making it perfect for on-the-go recording and capturing ideas wherever you are. No matter which voice recorder you choose, it will transform how you take notes. You'll save hours sifting through recordings as the AI tools swiftly summarize and organize content, generate mind maps, and even offer suggestions to help you strategize your next steps. The days of manual note-taking will truly feel archaic. reMarkable Paper Pro tablet reMarkable Paper Pro reMarkable Paper Pro Large, notebook-sized color E-Ink display • Distraction-free writing experience • Attractive, portable build MSRP: $579.00 reMarkable, now with a splash of color. The reMarkable Paper Pro is an 11.8-inch E-Ink tablet that closely mimics paper and colorful pens. See price at Amazon Tablets are important office tools, but they are also huge distractions. You could be looking at a document one second, and the next, a social media notification will send you down an internet gossip rabbit hole that seems to never end. Shiny screens and oversaturated colors don't help stay focused, either. All things combined, a normal tablet can be a huge productivity hog. The brand reMarkable is among the most respected when it comes to e-paper tablets. These are designed from the ground up to keep distractions to a minimum. The paper-like experience is easier on the eyes, and you can even use a stylus to take notes on it. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Our top pick right now would be the reMarkable Paper Pro. It has a large 11.8-inch display with a 2,160 x 1,620 resolution. And it's a color display, so you can better visualize pie charts and other colored elements in all your documents. It's not backlit, because it is meant to read like actual paper, but it comes with an integrated adjustable reading light. While the battery wouldn't seem huge at 5,030mAh, keep in mind e-paper displays don't use much energy. Its battery life is actually quite outstanding. This thing can last two weeks on a full charge! Features include apps and extensions for most major operating systems, cloud storage solutions, and security implementations for professionals. You can even get a keyboard case, to ensure your productivity doesn't slow down during commutes or trips. Elgato Stream Deck Neo I get really tired of finding hidden options in settings menus, figuring out keyboard shortcut combinations, and looking through a sea of apps just to launch a program. This is why something like the Elgato Stream Deck Neo can be such a convenient productivity tool. The concept is rather simple. This little device has eight buttons, which can be customized to automate tasks, launch apps, and more. Elgato is actually a very well-established brand in the gaming industry, where people can save precious seconds automating their macros and other options. This model is especially made for work efficiency, though. The look is more streamlined, and the infobar can help you keep track of other details, such as the date, time, and more. The buttons are LCD displays, so they can adjust to your experience. You'll see notification tickers, status updates, live information, and more. It's nice that it is also cheaper than the gaming models at $99.99! Cuktech No. 10 100W GaN Charger Time is money, and you have no time to waste. When it's time to charge your devices, you want to ensure they juice up as fast as possible, because a dead device will obviously hurt your productivity. You can learn how to pick the right charger for your needs here, but if you want a quick option, here it is. The CUKTECH No.10 100W GaN Charger is portable, powerful, and can charge three devices simultaneously. As the name implies, it has a 100W max output. Both USB-C ports can reach these speeds when charging a single device. And if you want to recharge smaller accessories, the USB-A connection maxes out at 22.5W. Of course, wattage will be shared as you connect more devices, though. To put matters into perspective, 100W is enough to charge modern laptops. And you'll have power to spare if you're charging a phone. Here's an example: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra charges at a max of 45W, and that is one of the best Android phones available right now. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony WH-1000XM6 Good sound quality • Top of the line app • Excellent ANC MSRP: $449.99 The next iteration of the best Sony headphones The Sony WH-1000XM6 is every bit a worthy successor to Sony's other ANC headphones as you'd hope. They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. However, the lack of cutting-edge connection options might be an issue as the years go by. See price at Amazon Save $1.99 Are you looking for the best headphones around? Our friends at have tested all the important ones, and they have crowned the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones as the top option in their list of the best headphones available. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is part of a highly respected line of headphones known for quality and excellent features across the board. Of course, sound quality is fantastic, and you'll get plenty of features. You can learn all about them by reading the full SoundGuys review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. We'll focus on why they are great for productivity here. For starters, these have a great microphone, so they will work amazingly during calls, video conferences, and more. Also, they are known for their excellent ANC performance. The great noise canceling will help you stay focused in loud environments, blocking out all those noises from traffic, content, or people chit-chatting around you. Logitech MX Brio webcam Are you often making conference calls, video meetings, or recording video messages? You'll need a webcam, but you want it to be a good one. There's nothing worse than a pixelated, bad-quality video, which is sadly what most webcams produce. The Logitech MX Brio is a great option for professionals who want quality for their clients or co-workers. It may be bigger and pricier than average at $199.99, but it is worth every cubic centimeter and penny. This webcam is on another level, offering a 4K resolution to capture much more detail. It can record at 30fps. And if you reduce the resolution to 1,080p, the framerate can go up to 60fps. Logitech claims this is their most advanced webcam sensor yet, with 70% larger pixels. Hardware aside, the webcam also uses AI to improve image quality, especially with faces. You can even go into the settings and change the image profile. You can customize things like exposure, white balance, ISO, tint, shutter speed, and more. The webcam has a physical privacy shutter for those who worry about that. Additionally, the mics use AI to reduce background noise, offering a clearer audio experience. ASUS portable monitors If you're more of a digital nomad, chances are your workstation is a laptop. Living on a single screen can affect your productivity, though. Using multiple monitors can make you a multitasking beast. While there are plenty of great portable monitors out there, ASUS is known for being among the most reliable manufacturers in this market. We will give you a couple of options here. Let's start with the ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK. It has a 16-inch panel with a Full HD 1,080p resolution. The design is simple and minimalist, which is great if you want to keep a professional look. The single stand keeps the look clean, and offers flexibility in terms of screen positioning. This display can connect to your devices using two USB-C ports, or the mini-HDMI connection. Both cables come included in the box. The ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK is simple, modest, and clean. It's nothing fancy, but that is part of its allure. It works, and its simplicity makes it very affordable at $109. Having an extra display can make you much more productive, but what if you have two? Enter the ASUS ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD. This thing has two portable monitors, giving you much more screen real estate to work with when you want to get serious with work, homework, or whatever you want to do. This one is outstanding in every way. Each screen has a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution. Each panel is 14 inches. Display technology gets a hefty upgrade, too. These are OLED displays that can display 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. They are very color accurate. There's a built-in kickstand, and you get a nice set of ports for flexibility. It has two USB-C ports, plus an extra one for power. If your laptop doesn't support that, you can also use the mini-HDMI connection. It's quite impressive, but be ready to pay for this much quality and multitasking power. This portable dual monitor is $599. Nothing quite matches it, though. Pomodoro timer Do you often find yourself getting mentally fatigued? Long hours of work can cause fatigue, which is why many like the Pomodoro technique. The premise is simple: it is a timer that divides your focus time into 30-minute intervals, of which 25 minutes are dedicated to work or study, while the other 5 minutes are for your short breaks. This will keep you fresh and focused during long sessions. You don't really need to buy anything to apply this strategy. I mean, your phone's timer will do the job just fine. You can also use websites like Pomofocus, or apps like Pomodoro Timer by If you want a physical timer, though, we like the OORAII Rotating Pomodoro Timer. You can set a timer simply by rotating the device, and leaving the time you want to set facing up. Just switch between the 25-minute and 5-minute intervals to follow the technique. It looks really nice, too, and it's really affordable. YubiKey Bio If you're trying to be productive, chances are you are working on or handling some delicate information. Security is important, and so far the best way to keep your accounts and login credentials safe is by using 2FA (2-factor authentication). Hardware options are the most safe and convenient, too. The YubiKey Bio can be used as a physical key to authenticate your identity. As an added benefit and security step, it has a fingerprint reader, making it simpler to authenticate and access any account. You can also use a PIN as a fallback. You won't need to baby this thing, as it is made to go with you everywhere. It is small and can simply hang on your keychain. It has an IP68 rating, so it can handle dust and liquids without issues. It's also crush resistant and has no moving parts. At $90, it's a good investment for peace of mind and security, especially when dealing with sensitive business or school accounts. Logitech MX Master 3S Logitech MX Master 3S Logitech MX Master 3S Precision optical navigation • Reliable wireless connectivity MSRP: $99.99 Multi-function precision wireless mouse Made for precision, the Logitech MX Master 3S has multiple scroll wheels, high-resolution navigation, an ergonomic design, and reliable wireless connectivity. See price at Amazon Trackpads are good enough in a pinch, but they are far from being the perfect productivity tool. If you want to make the most out of every work minute, you should consider a good mouse, and the Logitech MX Master series is highly respected among professionals. The Logitech MX Master 3S is the latest mouse in the popular series, and it is a working peripheral that very few even get close to competing with. It is made with productivity in mind, and everything regarding it shows this focus. For starters, it is nicely designed. Not only will it look great in any scenario, but the ergonomics are great, so you'll be able to use it for long sessions while minimizing exhaustion or discomfort. Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority The mouse performs very well, offering quiet clicks and an 8,000DPI sensor, which can even work on glass! It should work on any surface, making it a great option for those of you who need a mouse on-the-go, anywhere. The scroll wheel can move at 1,000 lines per second, so you'll fly through documents to find the information you need. The Logi Options+ software can help you customize the buttons and experience as you wish. The MX Master 3S has seven buttons, and you'll even get a secondary scroll wheel made to be used with your thumb. This can be used for horizontal scrolling and such. One feature I happen to love is Logitech Flow. It allows you to use the mouse (and keyboard) on multiple computers. You'll be able to move your cursor across the screens, as if you were using a multi-monitor setup. It's super handy! It's wireless, so you won't need to fumble around with cables. Battery life is pretty good, at about 70 days on a full charge, so you won't waste time juicing up. While you can be productive using anything, there is no denying some things do better at keeping you focused and efficient. Especially if they were explicitly designed to get work done, making them great productivity gadgets. Give yourself the edge! I don't know about you, but I like having all odds in my favor.
Geeky Gadgets
09-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
New Obsidian Bases Core Plugin : A Complete Guide to Structured Databases
What if your note-taking system could do more than just store ideas—what if it could transform the way you organize, retrieve, and act on information? The new Obsidian Bases Core Plugin promises exactly that. By introducing structured databases into the already-powerful Obsidian ecosystem, this plugin bridges the gap between traditional note-taking and advanced data management. Imagine transforming your scattered notes into a streamlined, searchable, and actionable system—whether you're juggling a complex project, managing research, or simply trying to make sense of your personal knowledge archive. Bold claim? Perhaps. But for anyone seeking clarity in a sea of information, this tool might just be the fantastic option you didn't know you needed. Wanderloots uncover how the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin works and why it's poised to redefine productivity for professionals, students, and creatives alike. You'll learn how its structured database features can help you categorize, link, and retrieve information with precision, saving time and mental energy. From project management to creative writing, the plugin's versatility opens doors to countless practical applications. But this isn't just about features—it's about rethinking how you interact with your notes and data. By the end, you might find yourself questioning whether your current workflow is holding you back from something far more efficient and intuitive. Obsidian Bases Plugin Overview Structured Databases: A New Era of Organization At the heart of the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin lies its ability to create and manage structured databases, transforming how information is stored and accessed. Unlike traditional note-taking methods that rely on unstructured or loosely organized formats, this plugin enables you to systematically organize data with precision. Users can define custom fields, categorize entries, and establish relationships between data points, making sure that information remains both clear and accessible. For example, if you're managing a project, you can construct a database with fields for task descriptions, deadlines, and progress updates. This structured approach ensures that critical information is not only stored but also easily retrievable when needed, minimizing the risk of oversight. The plugin's emphasis on structure allows users to maintain a clear overview of their data, making it particularly useful for professionals, students, and teams handling large volumes of information. Effortless Data Organization and Retrieval Efficient data organization is essential for maintaining productivity, and the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin excels in this area. By allowing you to categorize and tag notes within structured databases, it simplifies the process of locating specific information. Advanced search and filtering tools further enhance this capability, allowing you to retrieve relevant data with minimal effort and maximum precision. Imagine working on a research project with hundreds of notes. Instead of manually searching through scattered files, you can use the plugin's filtering options to locate entries based on keywords, tags, or custom fields. This targeted retrieval not only saves time but also reduces the mental strain of managing large volumes of information. The ability to quickly access the exact data you need ensures that your focus remains on the task at hand, rather than on navigating through disorganized notes. Obsidian Bases Core Plugin Overview Watch this video on YouTube. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on Obsidian. Seamless Integration with Existing Workflows One of the plugin's standout features is its seamless integration with your existing Obsidian workflows. Whether you're using Obsidian for personal knowledge management, team collaboration, or creative writing, the plugin adapts to your needs without disrupting your current processes. Its compatibility with other Obsidian plugins further enhances its flexibility, allowing you to create a cohesive and efficient system tailored to your specific requirements. For instance, you can pair the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin with task management plugins to build a unified system for tracking to-dos and project timelines. This integration ensures that all aspects of your work are interconnected, fostering a more streamlined and holistic approach to productivity. By combining the plugin's structured database capabilities with other tools, you can create a workflow that is both comprehensive and intuitive. Boosting Productivity with Data-Driven Note-Taking The plugin's focus on structured data management directly contributes to improved productivity. By organizing your notes into databases, you can uncover patterns, track progress, and make informed decisions based on the data at hand. This approach is particularly beneficial for professionals and students who rely on accurate, up-to-date information to achieve their goals. Consider a team project scenario. With the plugin, you can create a database to monitor individual contributions, deadlines, and deliverables. This centralized system not only keeps everyone aligned but also provides a clear overview of the project's status, allowing you to address potential issues proactively. The ability to visualize and analyze data within the plugin ensures that your decisions are informed and your workflows remain efficient. Practical Use Cases for the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin The versatility of the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin makes it suitable for a variety of applications. Here are some practical use cases: Project Management: Organize tasks, deadlines, and resources in a structured database to ensure efficient project execution. Organize tasks, deadlines, and resources in a structured database to ensure efficient project execution. Research Organization: Categorize and link research notes for easy reference and analysis, allowing deeper insights. Categorize and link research notes for easy reference and analysis, allowing deeper insights. Personal Knowledge Management: Centralize ideas, references, and insights in an accessible format for long-term use. Centralize ideas, references, and insights in an accessible format for long-term use. Creative Writing: Systematically manage character profiles, plot points, and world-building details to streamline the creative process. Systematically manage character profiles, plot points, and world-building details to streamline the creative process. Team Collaboration: Share structured databases with team members to improve communication and coordination, fostering better teamwork. Maximizing Your Obsidian Experience By using the capabilities of the Obsidian Bases Core Plugin, you can unlock the full potential of the Obsidian note-taking platform. Its focus on structured databases, combined with advanced data organization and retrieval tools, makes it an invaluable resource for optimizing workflows. Whether you're a professional, student, or creative, the plugin equips you with the tools needed to manage information effectively and achieve your objectives with greater efficiency. The Obsidian Bases Core Plugin is more than just an enhancement to your note-taking system—it is a tool that transforms how you interact with and manage information. By integrating this plugin into your Obsidian setup, you can adopt a structured, data-driven approach to note-taking and project management, paving the way for improved productivity and organization. Media Credit: Wanderloots Filed Under: Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Digital Trends
09-06-2025
- Digital Trends
These two macOS 26 features would transform the way I use my Mac
Apple's execution with note-taking on macOS leaves a lot of room for improvement. There are so many areas where it feels like an abandoned project, instead of the future-proof experience that native iOS apps often deliver. In fact, the disparity across its own platforms is troubling. Take, for example, iPadOS and iOS. You can quickly launch a notes page straight from the control, without having to close the existing app and launch the Notes app. On macOS, you don't get any such facility. Recommended Videos If you want to seamlessly save a webpage or its contents as a standalone note, there are a few hurdles. For web-based workflow, you must use the Safari browser, because only in Apple's browser does the Share Sheet offer a quick notes shortcut. Otherwise, trigger the Notes app with a keyboard shortcut. Why won't Apple put a Quick Notes button in the control center, or implement it in the Menu Bar, is simply perplexing. The whole concept of burdening users with another app window, when there is a solution waiting to be activated, also puzzles me. There's plenty of inspiration I've often focused on the missed opportunity that is macOS' Menu Bar. On the other hand, the open-source and indie-developer community has created so many lightweight and deeply practical utilities that live predominantly as a Menu Bar app. Maccy, for example, solves the native clipboard problem on Macs elegantly. Antinote is another stunning app that I use daily. For saving information, I rely on the excellent Sticky Notes for Safari app that tags all my takeaways wherever I want on a webpage. A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon BarNotes. It's a neat app that essentially serves as a scratchpad and lives in the Menu Bar. It has been designed in the same aesthetic format as a native Apple app. As far as functional depth goes, you can adjust the font size, pick between four styles, and change the notepad color. I like the 'transparent' effect, as it sits well with Apple's own glassmorphic design elements that first arrived with macOS Big Sur. It doesn't burden you with too many features that aren't required from a digital scratchpad, and also strips all the stylistic formatting when you paste your content, which is a convenient touch. The best part? BarNotes is free and available on the App Store, which means you don't have to worry about the security aspect, either. Tab Notes Lite is another free app that lives in the Menu Bar and offers a few extra goodies. It lets you click on the screen's edge to take a note, pick up the local storage folder, and offers customizable shortcuts, as well. There are a whole bunch of paid apps, too, but I recommend sticking with the free options if they get the job done. Apple Intelligence The best place for AI is the low-stakes scenario where it can handle the task at hand with minimal scope for correction. Like asking it to compose a quick note in a formal tone, convert the file format, or send it as an email. The kind of tasks Google Gemini can currently handle, and so can Apple Intelligence. The major hurdle, however, is the platform-wide implementation. For example, the AI-powered Writing Tools system doesn't always work reliably, especially within third-party software. For example, when writing a paper in Docs on Chrome, a right-click doesn't show Writing Tools in the context menu. To use it, you must copy-paste the text passage in the Notes app and then repeat the process to perform an AI-driven task, such as proofreading, style conversion, and summarization. If there were a Menu Bar shortcut for Notes, users wouldn't have to do a back-and-forth between two apps in order to get the best of Apple Intelligence. I would love for Apple to put Notes within the Menu Bar and make Writing Tools a crucial part of it. Then there is the situation with integration. Gemini will seamlessly perform tasks across Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Calendar, among other apps, using text and/or voice input. Apple Intelligence, despite its ChatGPT integration, can't do any of that, yet. Make it happen, Apple It was only last week that ChatGPT gained the ability to access files in your Google Drive, among other cloud storage services such as Dropbox, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Box. Moreover, the rumored Gemini integration within Apple Intelligence is nowhere to be seen. I dearly hope WWDC 2025 can offer some clarity on that front. And while at it, Apple should add some quickly accessible voice input features, as well. Narrating a quick idea instead of having to type it out, and then getting a transcribed version (with summaries) would go a long way toward boosting day-to-day productivity. With Notes' arrival in macOS Menu Bar, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and meaningful integration with other services, users won't have to jump between different apps, or even pay money for basic third-party software. Apple must fill these fundamental gaps, and I am dearly hoping that the company pays attention to this aspect at its developers conference.
Android Authority
06-06-2025
- Android Authority
ChatGPT wasn't built for this, but it's now the center of my daily routine
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority It hit me while I was standing in the grocery store with my phone out. I don't use note-taking apps anymore. My shopping list was sitting in a persistent chat with ChatGPT, right where it had created it for me after helping me plan my family's meals for the week. It even specified my daughter's favorite yogurt. This wasn't a one-off. I had slowly started using ChatGPT as a productivity tool for every part of my personal life. It started when I grew tired of juggling multiple apps for notes, lists, and reminders. I didn't want to bounce between half a dozen apps just to get stuff done. ChatGPT, as it turns out, is slowly turning into my super app, and I'm not sure that's what it was designed for. Would you use ChatGPT to manage your daily life? 0 votes Already do NaN % I might try it NaN % Not for me NaN % I didn't even know you could NaN % My use of AI is a little unconventional Nathan Drescher / Android Authority My day starts with a check-in. I open a persistent chat I call 'Today.' It's kind of my central hub. I get it to remember my day's tasks, set priorities, and work through what needs doing. If I tell it what times I have things to do, it's great at arranging my schedule for me. I'll ask it to help organize things by urgency, and it handles it all for me. When something new comes up, I just type it in. No form fields, no UI clutter. I keep a rolling list of time-sensitive items I review throughout the day. I need to remember to check it because ChatGPT doesn't have push notifications, but the low-friction input means I don't forget to capture things, so it evens out. Shopping and meal planning live in another chat. The grocery list gets updated throughout the week. It's easy to meal plan and then have ChatGPT create a shopping list, organized by section of the grocery store. I can input what foods I have on hand and it will spit out some suggestions for quick meals. When I purchase something, I simply tell it, and the AI automatically crosses that item off the list. All parts of my personal life are managed this way. Errands, kids, health. They're searchable, and ChatGPT is great at resurfacing information with a single command. That's more than I can say for a lot of productivity tools I've tried. It works better than it should Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority I don't believe this is what Sam Altman and the OpenAI team had in mind for ChatGPT. And I didn't set out to use it this way. In fact, I didn't find many uses for it at first. I never liked AI-generated slop, whether written or visual. As a journalist and writer, I've been kind of hostile to AI. But then I began using it for web searches, and that evolved into recipes, and budgeting, and then I learned it could take notes, and, well, it just sort of happened. ChatGPT is everywhere. It's always synced. I don't have to worry if something was saved. I don't have to remember which app I saved it in. It's all in one place. There's no UI to learn or settings to tweak. I just type what I need and it does the rest. There's no UI to learn or settings to tweak. I just type what I need and it does the rest. Nathan Drescher The persistent chat format is powerful because it remembers what I told it earlier, and it keeps context better than any standalone tool. Notes and lists can be updated easily. I can even change priorities mid-thread, and ChatGPT picks it up without skipping a beat. Most importantly, it reduces mental overhead. Everything is centralized and handled by something objectively smarter than many people. It's not all roses and sunshine Nathan Drescher / Android Authority All that said, ChatGPT is not perfect. The lack of push notifications is a real pain point I've had to learn to work around. Unlike a dedicated reminders app, which can notify me on my phone, laptop, and watch, I need to manually open ChatGPT and ask it to show me my next reminder. It can send me an email for each reminder, which can then push to my device, but it's a bulky workaround. There's also no integrations with calendars or emails. It cannot handle recurring tasks or automate workflows. If I forget what I put in a note or a task I created, there's no way to get it back. There's no visual structure, either. No kanban boards, no drag-and-drop timelines. This means I need much stricter self-discipline to use it as my second brain. I need much stricter self-discipline to use it as my second brain. Nathan Drescher Finally, it's not built for collaboration. That's why I don't use it for work. It's useless when working with a team or editors, but for personal life management, it's surprisingly effective. The unintended productivity app for me ChatGPT is not a productivity app. Maybe that's why it works so well for me. It's conversational, always available, and adapts to my sometimes crazy day without forcing me to follow a strict system thought out by someone else. It's replaced a lot of my apps, including task managers, note-taking apps, and spreadsheets (although Google Keep will always be on phone). It's good enough that I'm not looking for replacements. This won't suit every kind of user. But if you're like me and prefer to brain dump rather than meticulously organize, then ChatGPT might just be the second brain you didn't know you had.
