KEEP Spotlight

Some really good videos worth watching

Click here for some great tips in a lighthearted video by Jeff Su called "8 Tips to KEEP Track of Things Productively!"

Click here to see another training video by Scott at Simpletivity that demonstrates integration [of Google Calendar, Gmail and Keep] and addresses the following topics indicated by the time stamps ....

0:00 Introduction

0:28 Adding & Editing Labels in Google Keep

1:04 Pinning Important Notes in Google Keep

2:07 Changing Reminder Default Times in Google Keep

3:55 Adding & Managing Checklists in Google Keep

6:33 Grab Text from Images in Google Keep

7:23 Adding & Removing Collaborators in Google Keep

8:35 Using the Keep Chrome Browser Extension

Some more recommended reading

Click here for the Google Support page "How to use Google Keep" on your computer and smartphone.

Click here for the official Google Blog with 8 great tips that show you how to ...

1. Record voice notes.

2. Transcribe notes from pictures.

3. Create drawings and even search handwritten notes.

4. Drag and drop notes from Keep into Google Docs.

5. Use the Chrome Extension.

6. Send notes from Keep to other apps you use.

7. Colour-code or label your notes to find them quicker.

8. Set reminders for yourself.

Cross Platform

Available online via your browser, as an App on your smartphone, and as a Progressive Web App

This is a link to the web based product at Google's portal that you can use in your browser.

This is a link to the Play Store where you can get the Android App for your smartphone.

This is a link from which you can get the PWA that acts like an actual program and allows you to search, view, and edit existing notes and also take new notes even when you're offline.

With advanced features ranging from time- and location-based reminders to tagging, colour-coding, and even A.I.-driven image-to-text conversions, it's a standout option for note taking.

Changes

Everything is automatically synchronised across your web connected devices. You can also make copies to Google Drive.

Checklists

Watch this video to learn how to easily make notes with checklists in the App.

Diagrams

Use the App to create freehand drawings and hand writing, as well as typed, text.

Gmail Integration

Click here for a short video with a couple of handy tips.

Making Notes with Reminders

Use it in the App on your Smartphone or with your browser on Web

Smartphone App

When using the Keep App your smartphone the hamburger menu has two entries at the top called "Notes" and "Reminders".

When the App first opens it displays the "Notes" view by default - there is an option within this to 'pin' items to the page causing them to be held at the top of the displayed information under a 'PINNED' heading. Those that are not pinned appear below under 'OTHERS'.

The "Reminders" view gives a list of any items that have had a reminder date/time set.

Beneath these any 'LABELS' are displayed - which are like user defined folders for grouping together a number of related items and they work as 'filters' to reduce the number of items displayed.

See the G Suite Learning Centre entry for Keep Cheat Sheet that displays diagrams showing you how to "Create and share notes, lists, and reminders" on both Mobile and Web.

Web App

When using the Keep App in your browser a hamburger menu is available in the top left hand corner. Toggling this causes a side menu [similar to mobile All] to open showing your "Notes" and "Reminders" at the top.

Use it with your Google Assistant on any compatible device

You can also create and check your Notes and Reminders easily just using simple voice commands for the Google Assistant

Managing information

A really useful way of capturing and using information from a variety of sources is provided by the mobile "Keep" application - also available as a Web App using your browser.

Click here to view the first video by Simpletivity that gives an overview of 5 great tips for organising information spontaneously.

Click here to view another video by Simpletivity that takes you through the use of "Archive" to keep your main space free and the use of reminders that can optionally be linked to your Google Calendar and Notifications on your Android smartphone.

These include saving Images, annotating them, and capturing any text they contain. Also featured are Audio Notes where you simply dictate your words and they are automatically converted to both text [to work with] and an optional audio file containing everything you dictated. Finally the subject of Reminders is covered which can be really useful as they integrate with your Google Calendar and this of course means they are available to the "My Day" feature within Google Assistant.

Click here for an article from HowToGeek that goes over more functions that are available both in the App from the Play Store and when using the web interface available via the Chrome Extension.

Pictures

Smartphones: Can add directly from camera or insert from "local" storage.

Laptops & Computers: Can Insert / Copy from "local" folder but not by web Cam [either built in or connected by USB}

Typing

Use the App or browser to take notes - note the font size adjusts automatically.

Voice

Easily dictate any notes using your smartphone - of course typing can also be used for input or correction.