Latest news with #note-taking
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Android Authority
I was wrong about Obsidian: Here's why it's actually a powerful app
Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority Obsidian sat unused in my app drawer for months. I tried playing around with it when I first set out to ditch big tech from my digital life, but I found it far too intimidating and clunky. I'd poke around in it every now and again, and then scurry back to Google Keep. Obsidian clearly wasn't for me. Then, something subtle shifted that made me reconsider the purple app. So now I'm doing something I never thought I would: singing the praises of Obsidian. Now, I no longer stare blankly at the screen and then close the app. Instead, that initial confusion has turned to genuine appreciation for all of its intricacies, and even some of its quirks. Obsidian has become an indispensable part of how I organize my digital life. Do you use Obsidian? 0 votes It's my main note-taking app. NaN % I've tried it but it didn't stick. NaN % I've heard of it but never tried it. NaN % I've never heard of it. NaN % I dismissed Obsidian at first Obsidian's community plugins A Daily Notes template A messy Obsidian setup The name itself is intimidating compared to other note-taking apps: Evernote, Keep, and Samsung Notes. These apps sound helpful, even friendly. The name Obsidian sounds like a rock monster from a fantasy novel. Opening the app felt less like starting a new note and more like being dropped back into 1993 with only a DOS system and a blinking cursor waiting for input. It felt cold and unwelcoming. I tried to use it nevertheless. I'm familiar with markdown, so there was no problem there. What turned me off was the app's almost aggressive lack of structure. Unlike Notion, with its clear page hierarchies and thousands of templates, or the simple tagging system of Evernote, Obsidian was a vast, empty space. I dove into Obsidian's plugins. The sheer number of extensions promised customization, but that led to a sense of overwhelm. Daily notes, Templater, Dataview, mind maps…each one fragmented the app. The name Obsidian sounds like a rock monster from a fantasy novel. Ultimately, the very customizability that is touted as Obsidian's strength became its biggest weakness for me from the get-go. It morphed from a completely blank slate into a messy digital sandbox. My notes were practically impossible to locate in this mess, if I even knew where to start one in the first place. What finally made it click Nathan Drescher / Android Authority I still wasn't happy with using big tech. I appreciated Obsidian's indie roots and that it was a Canadian-made app, so I forced myself to give it another try, but this time, I did something counterintuitive. I got rid of all the plugins. That endless tinkering had been holding me back from just using the app. I had been trying to mold Obsidian into something I didn't need it to be, like some feature-rich behemoth to take on Evernote and Notion. Simplicity, I discovered, was the key. Instead, I created a few basic folders to organize my notes, set up a master note outlining my hashtag structure, and stopped fidgeting with all the other bells and whistles. I signed up for Obsidian's official sync service rather than mess around with building third-party cloud setups. Obsidian transformed from an intimidating mess into a powerful tool. What Obsidian does well My clean Obsidian setup. My Obsidian tag list. An article clipped to Obsidian from the web. I appreciate Obsidian's fundamental focus on content. The app allows me to concentrate purely on my thoughts and ideas once it is stripped of all those excessive options. The simplicity of writing in plain markdown means there are few distractions, with the text itself the primary element. This is a surprisingly liberating writing environment. This simplicity extends to how Obsidian handles my content in the background. Unlike other markdown note-taking apps like Bear (over on the Apple side of things), Obsidian stores my notes locally. There's no vendor lock-in, no walled-off ecosystems. My notes are easily accessible and, more importantly, portable. It also became surprisingly easy to navigate and find information once I embraced basic folders and a tagging system. There's no vendor lock-in, no walled-off ecosystems. Obsidian's web clipper extension is also useful. It works like Evernote's web clipper, parsing the information and stripping away all the noise to create a text-only note, complete with related information like URL, site name, and date and time of capture. The web clipper is free and is available for Chromium browsers like Edge and Chrome, and as an Android app that appears in the share sheet. I think I'll keep using Obsidian Nathan Drescher / Android Authority Obsidian isn't a flawless app. There's a definite learning curve that can be a hurdle for newcomers. The lack of built-in guidance might scare off some of the less tech-savvy who first open the app. However, my simple, content-focused setup has truly won me over. It's not the flashiest note-taking app out there. But it excels at organizing thoughts, connecting ideas, and capturing notes. Obsidian has earned a permanent spot in my digital toolset. I was looking for a powerful yet simple way to manage information that wasn't linked to a big tech conglomerate, and I can confidently say I finally found it in Obsidian.
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Google's underrated AI tool just got a major upgrade with featured notebooks
Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR Google is adding expert-curated featured notebooks to NotebookLM, expanding its role beyond personal research and note-taking. Topics include the complete works of Shakespeare, Yellowstone travel tips, and predictions from The Economist. The new feature is desktop-only for now and follows the recent rollout of public notebook sharing. NotebookLM was already doing a good job as anything from a personal research assistant to an advisor on your car maintenance. But Google keeps building as ever, and the AI-powered note-taking tool now also comes preloaded with curated expert guides. Google has announced a new wave of 'featured notebooks' for NotebookLM, offering collections of hand-picked content created in collaboration with researchers, authors, nonprofits, and major publishers. The new notebooks span a broad range of topics, including scientific guides, historical analysis, and even the complete works of Shakespeare. The launch lineup includes longevity advice from Eric Topol, data-driven insights from Our World In Data, parenting tips from psychologist Jacqueline Nesi, and predictions from The Economist's The World Ahead 2025 report. There's also a Yellowstone travel guide with geological and biodiversity insights and an earnings tracker covering top global companies. Each notebook can be explored as usual with NotebookLM's core features, letting you ask questions, explore content through mind maps, and generate Audio Overviews — AI-generated podcasts that bring your notes to life. The new collections follow Google's recent rollout of public notebook sharing, which the company says has already led to over 140,000 public notebooks in just four weeks. More featured notebooks — including additional collaborations with The Economist and The Atlantic — are expected soon. We're big fans of NotebookLM as a hidden gem among Google's AI tools, though we were a bit nonplussed by the Android app. Featured notebooks are rolling out now and only on desktop, which is just one more reason to stick to the web version for now. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
CNET
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Prime Day Deal: Save 20% on Plaud's Automatic Note Taking Pin
If you go to a lot of meetings, then you know how important transcription and good note-taking can be. It's also incredibly time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, thanks to a great Prime Day deal going on right now, you can actually save yourself a bit of money on some help. Right now, you can get your hands on the immensely useful Plaud NotePin Voice Recorder, which is an AI-enhanced note taker, for $127. That's a 20% discount on the normal price, and a great way to treat yourself to some easier admin going forwards. The Plaud NotePin can easily take notes from everything you and anyone else is saying, and can even offer summaries thanks to feeding off of other AI models. The transcription is going to be a huge help for a lot of people, and it can understand a massive 112 languages, just in case you're the most gifted linguist in existence. You can easily attack either using a magnetic pin or a clip too, so it's flexible to fit your needs. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. It's worth noting that this deal is available from Plaud directly, and you can also save money on the subscription plan for your phone as is, if you'd rather not pick up a new device. Why this deal matters Note taking is an arduous experience, so being able to simply let something else do all of the work is great. This deal knocks 20% off a really useful bit of kit for those that need it, but it won't be around for long.
Geeky Gadgets
08-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
How Obsidian Bases Makes Revisiting Old Notes Effortless : On This Day Query
Have you ever wondered what stories your notes from years past might tell if only you could revisit them effortlessly? For avid users of Obsidian, the challenge of organizing and rediscovering historical entries often feels like trying to piece together a puzzle without the picture on the box. Enter the Obsidian Bases plugin, a innovative tool that transforms your vault into a dynamic, database-like workspace. With its ability to create an 'On This Day' query, Bases offers a seamless way to surface notes from the same date across different years—without the manual hassle. Imagine effortlessly reflecting on past insights, tracking long-term patterns, or simply revisiting moments that might otherwise fade into obscurity. Ed Nico explains how the Obsidian Bases plugin can transform the way you interact with your notes. From its automatic updates that eliminate tedious manual adjustments to its customizable table views that bring clarity to your historical data, this plugin is designed to simplify and enhance your workflow. Whether you're a journal enthusiast, a professional tracking project milestones, or someone curious about spotting trends over time, you'll discover how Bases can unlock new dimensions of organization and insight. By the end, you might just find yourself rethinking how you approach note-taking altogether. Obsidian Bases Plugin Overview What is the Obsidian Bases Plugin? The Obsidian Bases plugin enhances your note-taking experience by integrating database-style capabilities directly into your vault. It allows you to dynamically organize, filter, and display notes in a customizable table view. One of its most notable features is its ability to update automatically based on the current date, removing the need for manual adjustments. This makes it particularly effective for date-based queries, such as tracking historical daily notes or reviewing past events. By allowing you to create dynamic queries and customize how data is displayed, the plugin transforms your vault into a more interactive and organized workspace. Whether you're managing personal reflections, professional logs, or habit trackers, Bases offers a streamlined approach to handling your notes. How Does it Compare to the DataView Plugin? The DataView plugin is a widely used tool for querying and displaying note data, but it often requires manual setup and ongoing adjustments. For instance, when creating date-based queries, users may need to update parameters manually to reflect the current date. In contrast, the Obsidian Bases plugin automates this process, saving you time and effort while reducing the likelihood of errors. Another significant advantage of Bases is its user-friendly interface. It allows you to edit note properties directly within the table view, eliminating the need to open individual notes for minor adjustments. This feature is particularly useful for tracking specific details, such as daily habits or recurring activities. For users who prioritize simplicity and dynamic updates, Bases provides a more efficient and accessible alternative to DataView. Obsidian On This Day Query Watch this video on YouTube. Discover other guides from our vast content that could be of interest on the Obsidian note taking platform . How to Set Up an 'On This Day' Query Creating an 'On This Day' query with the Obsidian Bases plugin is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started: Organize daily notes by folder: Store your daily notes in a dedicated folder to simplify filtering and improve query accuracy. Store your daily notes in a dedicated folder to simplify filtering and improve query accuracy. Identify date properties: Use consistent file naming conventions or metadata to associate each note with a specific date. Use consistent file naming conventions or metadata to associate each note with a specific date. Configure date comparison formulas: Set up the query to compare the current date with historical note dates, making sure only relevant entries are displayed. Set up the query to compare the current date with historical note dates, making sure only relevant entries are displayed. Customize the table view: Design a dynamic table to display notes from the same date across different years, offering a clear and organized view of your historical data. This setup ensures that your query adapts automatically to changes in the system date, making it easier to retrieve and analyze historical notes. By following these steps, you can create a seamless system for revisiting past entries and gaining insights into your personal or professional history. Customizing and Using the Query The Obsidian Bases plugin offers extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor the 'On This Day' query to your specific needs. These features enhance both the functionality and usability of your note management system: Edit note properties directly: Add or modify details about daily activities, events, or observations without needing to open individual notes. Add or modify details about daily activities, events, or observations without needing to open individual notes. Streamline the interface: Hide unnecessary columns or data points to create a cleaner, more focused table view that highlights the most relevant information. Hide unnecessary columns or data points to create a cleaner, more focused table view that highlights the most relevant information. Use dynamic updates: Ensure your query remains accurate and up-to-date without requiring manual adjustments, saving you time and effort. These customization options make it easier to manage and analyze your notes, providing valuable insights into your historical data. Whether you're tracking trends, revisiting past events, or exploring patterns over time, the plugin's flexibility allows you to adapt it to your unique workflow. Why Choose the Obsidian Bases Plugin? The Obsidian Bases plugin offers several key benefits for users looking to improve note organization and historical tracking. Its features are designed to enhance efficiency, clarity, and ease of use: Effortless setup: The intuitive interface and dynamic functionality simplify the process of creating and managing queries, making it accessible even for users new to advanced note management. The intuitive interface and dynamic functionality simplify the process of creating and managing queries, making it accessible even for users new to advanced note management. Automatic updates: Date-based queries adjust automatically to reflect the current date, eliminating the need for manual intervention and making sure your data remains relevant. Date-based queries adjust automatically to reflect the current date, eliminating the need for manual intervention and making sure your data remains relevant. Improved visibility: The customizable table view provides a clear and organized display of note properties, making it easier to analyze and track data over time. The customizable table view provides a clear and organized display of note properties, making it easier to analyze and track data over time. Enhanced interactivity: Direct property editing within the table view allows for quick adjustments, streamlining your workflow and reducing the time spent navigating between notes. By integrating the Obsidian Bases plugin into your workflow, you can unlock new ways to organize, interact with, and analyze your notes. Its dynamic features and user-friendly design make it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to streamline their note-taking process and gain deeper insights into their historical data. Media Credit: Ed Nico Filed Under: Guides 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.
Geeky Gadgets
03-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Recall AI Explained: How This Ultimate Tool Transforms Bookmarking & Note-Taking
Recall is an advanced AI-powered tool designed to transform how you save, organize, and interact with information. By seamlessly combining bookmarking and note-taking with innovative AI features, it provides a comprehensive solution for managing content across multiple formats. Whether you're conducting in-depth research, organizing complex projects, or curating your daily reading materials, Recall enhances both efficiency and accessibility, making it an indispensable tool for modern workflows. The video below from Christopher Lawley gives us a detailed look at Recall AI. Watch this video on YouTube. Save and Summarize Content with Ease Recall AI simplifies the process of saving and summarizing content, offering unparalleled convenience. It supports a wide range of formats, including links, articles, videos, podcasts, PDFs, and even Google Docs or Slides. Once saved, its AI generates summaries tailored to your preferences—whether you need a concise overview or a detailed breakdown. For audio-visual content like videos or podcasts, Recall transcribes them into searchable text, allowing you to locate specific information without replaying the entire file. This feature is particularly useful for professionals and students who need quick access to key insights. Organize Smarter with Tags and Visual Tools Efficient organization is at the core of Recall's functionality. Its auto-tagging system intelligently categorizes your saved content, saving you valuable time. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, manual tagging allows for customized organization tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, Recall's graph visualization tool offers a unique way to explore connections between your saved items. This visual representation helps you identify related topics and themes, providing a clearer understanding of your content's structure and relationships. Expand Ideas with Note-Taking Features Recall's dedicated notebook section is designed to help you capture and expand on your ideas. You can integrate AI-generated summaries or chat responses directly into your notes, creating a centralized hub for brainstorming, project outlines, or study materials. This feature enables you to consolidate your thoughts and insights in one place, making it easier to develop and refine your ideas. Whether you're working on a research paper, planning a project, or simply jotting down thoughts, Recall's note-taking capabilities ensure that your ideas are organized and accessible. Research and Study Tools for Deeper Insights Recall goes beyond basic organization by offering tools specifically designed for research and learning. The quiz generation feature allows you to create custom quizzes based on your saved content, making it an excellent resource for students or lifelong learners. Additionally, the connection mapping functionality automatically links related content, helping you uncover patterns and insights that might otherwise go unnoticed. These features make Recall a powerful tool for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of complex topics or retain information more effectively. Streamline Workflow with the Browser Extension The Recall browser extension is a productivity-enhancing tool that allows you to save links, generate summaries, and access transcripts directly from your browser. This eliminates the need to switch between platforms, streamlining your workflow and saving time. The extension also supports local content analysis, making sure that your data remains private without requiring server uploads. This combination of convenience and security makes the browser extension an essential feature for users who value both efficiency and privacy. Access Anywhere with Cross-Platform Compatibility Recall AI is designed with flexibility in mind, offering full functionality across web, iOS, and iPadOS platforms. The share sheet extension enables you to save content directly from your mobile device, making sure that you can capture and organize information on the go. This cross-platform compatibility makes Recall a versatile tool for users with diverse workflows, allowing you to seamlessly transition between devices without losing access to your saved content or notes. How Recall Compares to Alternatives When compared to similar tools, Recall distinguishes itself with its unlimited file upload capability, a feature that many alternatives, such as Google Notebook LM, lack. Its AI-driven organization and automation further enhance its usability, making it a standout choice for those seeking a comprehensive and efficient content management solution. Whether you're managing academic materials, professional resources, or personal projects, Recall offers a level of functionality and convenience that sets it apart from the competition. Who Can Benefit from Recall? Recall is a versatile tool with applications across a wide range of fields: Researchers: Efficiently manage and analyze academic materials, uncovering connections and insights with ease. Efficiently manage and analyze academic materials, uncovering connections and insights with ease. Project Managers: Organize resources, track progress, and streamline workflows for better project outcomes. Organize resources, track progress, and streamline workflows for better project outcomes. Students: Prepare for exams and retain information using study tools like quizzes and summaries. Prepare for exams and retain information using study tools like quizzes and summaries. Content Creators: Save and organize inspiration, references, and drafts for streamlined creative processes. Regardless of your profession or goals, Recall simplifies content organization and access, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Empower Your Workflow with Recall By combining advanced AI capabilities with user-friendly features, Recall AI delivers a powerful solution for bookmarking, note-taking, and content management. Its ability to streamline workflows, enhance accessibility, and provide innovative tools for research and study makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to interact with information more effectively. Whether you're a student, professional, or lifelong learner, Recall enables you to manage your knowledge and ideas with greater ease and efficiency. Gain further expertise in AI-powered summarization by checking out these recommendations. Source & Image Credit: Christopher Lawley Filed Under: AI, Guides 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.
