This intelligent app unexpectedly grew to become m...

Observe-taking is a central and core a part of my life and profession as a author. As such, I spend loads of time attempting out completely different note-taking applications. I am all the time in search of the perfect one to simplify my workflow and streamline the method of getting my concepts out of my head and onto a web page. An amazing number of note-taking apps is obtainable proper now; some are fully free and open-source, whereas others require a subscription charge. Nevertheless, they every provide a variety of companies, together with cross-platform syncing. I first took discover of Craft when Apple highlighted the app at WWDC24, and since then, I have been exploring the app by way of the free trial interval, and have even paid for the subscription.

Craft rapidly grew to become my most used note-taking app on each my Mac and my iPhone, changing Microsoft OneNote, which I had been utilizing each day for years. There’s lots to like about Craft, from its colourful and customizable design, to its easy-to-use interface on each desktop and cell. Whereas Craft has loads of options, it is nowhere close to as overwhelming as apps like Obsidian, which has a notoriously steep studying curve.

Craft has one thing to supply everybody, and I will be exploring the the reason why it is grow to be my private favourite note-taking app and why I feel you must check out Craft if you have not already.

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What’s Craft, and who’s it it for?

Designers, visible thinkers, collaborators, and extra

Craft is a note-taking app that’s at the moment accessible for Apple units, Home windows, and internet browsers. When you can entry Craft by way of an online browser on an Android gadget, there is no native Android app — but.

Craft is nice for anybody who likes to visualise their notes. The app gives high-quality picture importing that is easy to make use of, in addition to a totally customizable interface, permitting you to make your notes look nonetheless you need. There is a strong quantity of consideration paid by the Craft builders to esthetics, however they did not sacrifice performance for it by any means. The builders have managed to offer a elegant — and, at-times, lovely — interface to jot down notes, create each day to-do lists, and even define your subsequent massive mission.

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I admire how straightforward it’s to make issues look good in Craft. a coloured notice is useful for the mind, according to researchers, and Craft makes it straightforward to make your notes pop. There’s a variety of accessible backgrounds you possibly can select from, or, for those who do not need to spend the time, there’s an built-in AI-assistant that may customise your templates for you.

If you happen to do not need to or do not feel the necessity to customise or beautify your notes in Craft, you do not have to. It is easy sufficient to simply create a fundamental notice with Craft, and go on along with your day. In my time with Craft, I noticed that it is a killer app because of its flexibility and its adaptability, which is backed by steady updates. It is a hub for not solely my skilled work, however for my day-to-day life. I can hyperlink notes collectively, hold them organized and separated if want be, and even embed completely different file codecs into my Craft notes.

How Craft has modified my note-taking

Non-linear notes — a author’s dream

Craft / Pocket-lint

If you happen to’ve labored on a e-book, or know somebody who has, you could be acquainted with the picture of a whole bunch, if not hundreds, of notes sticking to each wall and floor of their workplace. That is what I confer with as ‘non-linear note-taking’. I used to dump all my notes into an all-encompassing Phrase doc, however Craft makes it straightforward to create these large information dumps, after which later return and manage them.

Utilizing Craft, I can hyperlink disconnected notes collectively, serving to to get nearer to the ultimate picture of a long-form artistic mission. For instance, a notice I had a couple of character sparked an concept that I used to be capable of hyperlink to a unique notice with an concept a couple of location, which I then was capable of hyperlink to a thematic brainstorming notice, which helped me visualize and create a stronger concept for a novel.

Utilizing craft on this approach, you possibly can nest a number of notes collectively, which inspires note-taking and pondering in a non-linear sample. As a rule, even when engaged on this text, I would like to totally discover a subject earlier than I can write completely about it. The linked notes in Craft assist me obtain this sooner, and never solely that, however it’s not a headache to hyperlink notes collectively. This function does exist in different note-taking functions like Microsoft’s OneNote, however I discovered it to be rather more intuitive with Craft.

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Options and templates

Templates for each kind of notice and an AI assistant

Craft gives a variety of free templates so that you can use for a variety of various doc kinds. These templates are unfold throughout a number of classes, starting from private to groups to conferences. I personally use the bulleted journal template to maintain monitor of my each day notes, and I take advantage of Craft’s to-do listing template to maintain organized. Along with templates, Craft additionally options an AI-assistant that can be utilized to create and format paperwork and templates for you.

I have never been the largest fan of consumer-facing AI. I have never discovered a lot use for the Massive Language Fashions akin to Open AI’s ChatGPT which were launched to the general public over the previous few years. I did mess around with Craft’s AI assistant, which runs on Open AI’s GPT-4o mannequin, and I discovered it to be surprisingly useful. Whereas I nonetheless would not use AI for any true researching or writing functions, I did discover it to be a wonderful and quick method to format a doc with one button in Craft. One other factor that I like about Craft’s AI assistant is how within the background it’s. You do not have to make use of it, and it certainly is not in your face pressuring you to offer it a attempt — it is merely there within the background.

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Pricing and availability

Craft incorporates a free trial, however then there is a paid model after that

Craft / Pocket-lint

Craft’s pricing is a bit difficult. There are 5 completely different plans, which embody a plan that’s fully free to make use of. The free plan means that you can create ten paperwork and contains 1GB of cloud space for storing and options real-time collaboration. If you would like further space for storing or extra superior options akin to customized branding and a customized area to your notes, you may must pay no less than $8 a month. There’s additionally a enterprise model designed for enterprise customers, which options precedence customer support and no limitations on doc creation, the AI-assistant, or customized branding options, which is priced at $250 a month.

Most customers will probably be advantageous with paying for the starter version of Craft, but when you end up needing a customized area or need many individuals to have the ability to entry your paperwork, it could be value paying for the household plan, which is priced at $15 a month. I am utilizing Craft for my very own work and private causes, so I do not want a cause to pay for the household plan, and I only recently upgraded to the $8 a month plan. If you have not tried Craft but, I strongly suggest getting began with the free starter plan, and for those who just like the app and use it each day, then it could very effectively be value upgrading to the $8 plan for your self.

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Craft

Craft is a feature-rich note-taking app that rivals Notion in each design and options. It is simple to make use of, though there’s a steep studying curve if you wish to grow to be an knowledgeable with the app. You’ll be able to attempt it without spending a dime, however plans begin at $8 for limitless entry. 

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