Springpad – ultimate notebooking & note-taking app across multiple platforms
by Paul Wilks
Jun 28, 2012 1:32 PM –
Install
Springpad is a smart notebook app that lets you collate and access all manner of content in a variety of different ways. From taking a picture with your phone and adding it to your photography notebook to finding the perfect pair of jeans online and saving the URL to a shopping notebook, the multi-platform app lets you save virtual content easily and conveniently.
Price: Free
Tested on: HTC One X
Content Rating: Low Maturity
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Simple and intuitive to use!
- Slick user interface!
- Cool UI!
- Allows for various types of content to be uploaded!
- Syncs really well!
Cons
- If you are already integrated into similar solutions, such as Evernote, there might not be enough to switch.
Features:
Springpad is a great way to collect, collaborate, share and compile. It’s a virtual multi-platform notebook that’s simple to use and features a great looking user interface. Once you have installed the app and set up your account, it’s worthwhile adding the Chrome extension too. This lets you save all kinds of web content to your Springpad account. You can also check out the cool web interface which presents your items superbly.
Springpad essentially lets you compile different notebooks based on different topics. For testing sake, and because I’ve not used Springpad before, I created two notebooks. One was suggested by Springpad- ‘Favourite Movies’ and one was based on one of my own interests which I called ‘Sociology’. Adding content is a breeze and I found various ways to add stuff. Springpad becomes an integrated sharing option on your Android device and you can also add items from the app itself. These items include: notes, photos, audio recordings, items nearby based on a search and barcodes. You can also add tasks, check lists, events, books, bookmarks, movies, places, music, products, recipes, TV shows and even wine selections! You can have notebooks for specific projects and fill them with various types of content you need.
Apps like this are great for all kinds of people; designers, photographers, students, project managers, shopaholics, parents, journalists or just anyone that needs a solid platform to build a project on. It’s ridiculously simply to integrate into your online and offline lifestyle and, as it’s always with you on your mobile Android device, it’s very handy when you’re out and about.
Watch on Mobile
It’s also worth while noting how social the service is. You can keep notebooks private, or you can open them up for sharing and collaboration. You can even use the website to search for open resources to use yourself. Perhaps you want to use it to host pictures of a recent party you attended or maybe you’re working with someone on a school project which requires all kinds of different content. The range of notebooks online cover everything from food recipes to gadgets so it’s definitely worth exploring. There are elements of Springpad that combine the likes of Evernote and social networks like Pinterest. You can follow people and be followed so its perhaps a great way to get in contact with people with similar interests to you.
As far as the actual Android app is concerned, it is very functional. It includes a handy homescreen widget and it syns really well with the web service. It’s painfully simple to use and navigation is easy and intuitive. It’s completely free, unsullied by horrible advertising and a great all-round service.
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Springpad – Create some notebooks to get started
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Springpad – Add photos you have taken
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Springpad – Add books and more
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Springpad – Add favourite movies
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Springpad – Image viewing
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Springpad – Item list within notebook
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Springpad – Side menu
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Springpad – Save item to which notebook
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Springpad – Select theme
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Springpad – Options
Usefulness:
If you’re looking for a notebook-style service, the two big players are arguably Springpad and Evernote. I like Evernote, but have found Springpad to be a little more interactive. I’m unsure that, if you’ve been using Evernote heavily, Springpad is enough to make you switch, but if I was starting from scratch I’d probably use Springpad.
It feels very intuitive to use and great for collating together all kinds of useful information. I’m hoping to build a library of my favourite books in the service at some point and this is great for doing that, and being able to share it.
Ease of Use:
I found Springpad very easy to use, despite the wealth of options you have.
Frequently Used:
This will very much depend on the user and the projects they want to involve themselves with. Springpad is certainly something that could be used very frequently, several times per day if required.
Interface:
The interface is gorgeous and very slick. You can even theme your notebooks so it feels you are entering different user environments with each project. Pretty cool, and very user friendly.