Samsung Notes (Korean: 삼성 노트) is a note-taking application developed by the South Korean company Samsung Electronics. It allows the writing of digital and handwritten notes with embedded photos and audio, as well as sketching and drawing, and reading and annotating PDF documents.
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| Developer(s) | Samsung Electronics |
|---|---|
| Initial release | August 19, 2016 |
| Stable release | 4.4.07.24[1]
/ August 28, 2023 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, Android |
| Type | Note-taking software, integrated software |
| Website | www |
| |
| Filename extension |
.snb |
|---|---|
| Developed by | Samsung |
| Initial release | 2011 |
| Type of format | Notetaking file format |
| Extended to | DOC, WordProcessingML, PPT, TXT |
It is available for Samsung devices running Android and Microsoft Windows, and is distributed on the Galaxy Store, Google Play Store and Microsoft Store.
History
editSamsung Notes was launched in 2016 as a single replacement of several older memo and illustration apps on Galaxy Note devices: namely S Note, Scrapbook, Memo, and Action Memo.[2]
On October 3, 2023, it was revealed that Samsung Notes will forcibly stop working on Windows devices unless it is a Samsung Galaxy Book.[3]
Features
editSamsung Notes features handwriting to text conversion, note tagging, and sharing in PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and image files.[4] PDF importing and annotating, as well as importing sound recordings (Audio Bookmark) were introduced with the One UI 2.5 update.[5]
Shared Notebooks in Samsung Notes can be shared with others in a user's contactbook or using a direct URL; the recipients are also able to modify and collaborate on a Shared Notebook.[6] Live collaboration between multiple users was added in One UI 5.1.[7] The software also allows securing a note or document using a password or fingerprint.[8]
Using the screen off memo feature, users can write using an S Pen without turning the device screen on, which is then saved onto Samsung Notes.[9]
Synchronisation
editNotes content are synchronised automatically with the cloud, i.e. Samsung Cloud.[10] Since 2020, Samsung Notes can also be synchronised with Microsoft OneNote so that they can be viewed on PCs.[11]
Related utilities
editThe Samsung Notes Viewer is a tool specifically for viewing Notes files. Samsung also offer an app called Write on PDF, for annotating PDF documents.[12]
Reception
editLifewire called Samsung Notes "a repository for all notes, in any form", and listed its synchronisation as a positive point. It listed the lack of home screen shortcuts as a disadvantage, as well as the fact access to secured notes are denied temporarily when inputting a wrong password. The website MakeUseOf commented that it "stands out among Android note-taking apps, and its Windows version is equally impressive". However it criticised the fact it is only available for Samsung Windows devices.[4]
TechRadar's Brian Turner felt that Samsung Notes was "as much as an all-purpose sketchbook as a notepad." depending on purpose.[13] In a 2020 review of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, David Phelan of Forbes magazine commented that "in Samsung Notes it has the best app the company has built."[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Samsung Notes - Apps on Galaxy Store".
- ^ T, Nick (2016-08-02). "Samsung Notes app on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is a hub for all your notes". PhoneArena. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ Schoon, Ben (2023-10-03). "Samsung Notes for Windows is shutting down for anyone not using a Galaxy Book". 9to5Google. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ a b Chauhan, Rishabh (2023-06-20). "The 7 Best Note-Taking Apps for Windows Pen Tablet Users". MUO. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ Petrov, Daniel (2020-08-27). "How to add Audio Bookmarks in the new Samsung Notes 2020 app on the Galaxy Note 20 5G". PhoneArena. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ SamMobile; Matei, Mihai (2023-04-26). "Shared Notebook is a brilliant Samsung Notes collaborative feature". SamMobile. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ Davies, Chris (2023-07-26). "Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 Could Be The Best Android iPad Pro Alternative So Far". SlashGear. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ SamMobile; Matei, Mihai (2022-11-11). "Secure your Samsung Notes documents with a fingerprint or password". SamMobile. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ Foster, Camila (2020-10-20). "Samsung Notes: Become creative with S pen, write screen off memo, sync online, and more". Sammy Fans. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ "Connected Experience | Apps". The Official Samsung Galaxy Site. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ "Samsung's Notes app will soon sync with Microsoft OneNote". Engadget. 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ "Frequently asked questions about Samsung Notes". Samsung Electronics America. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ updated, Brian Turner last (2021-12-10). "Best note-taking app for Android of 2023". TechRadar. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ Phelan, David. "Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Review: The Ultimate Samsung, But Is That Enough?". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-05.