Simplenote note-taking app finally comes to Android, looks to find a niche between Evernote and Keep

We used to gush profusely at the mere mention of the simple-but-powerful Simplenote cross-platform note-taking service, and back in 2011 declared it to be our favourite.

The no-frills app let users swiftly write down notes, compile lists and jot down ideas, with growing collections of notes organised with tags and pins.

The problem was that Simplenote never troubled themselves to make an Android or Windows app, so accessing the cloud-based notes involved using third party Android apps like Flick Note and a desktop client called ResophNotes.

When it worked, it worked supremely well.

Notes written on the desktop client instantly synced with the FlickNotes app, and content could be accessed via any browser on the Simplenote site.

But then the wheels fell firmly off the Simplenote wagon with the service being plagued by all sorts of troubling syncing issues, while the developer of FlickNote seemed to have left the building for good.

There were a few alternative Simplenote-syncing apps available on Android, but these either looked like something out of 2006,  came burdened with unremoveable adverts or insisted on using eye-searing white text on a black background.

So, like many others, we abandoned SimpleNote and found other list/note taking apps, namely the all powerful Evernote and the superslick Google Keep.

Although we think it’s unlikely that this new app will replace Google Keep – a free program which has developed into a quite exceptional note taking app – we may find ourselves coming back to Simplenote for longer notes.

There’s no denying that Evernote is a mighty powerful beast, all those features can prove a bit overwhelming at times and we’ve missed the sheer simplicity of Simplenote.

So we’re going to give this new app a go and see how we get on with it.

If you fancy having a go too, you can download it from  Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.

Simplenote feature list:

• Use it everywhere
  Your notes stay updated across all your devices. No buttons to press. It just works.
• Stay organized
  Find notes quickly with instant searching and simple tags.
• Work together
  Share a list, post some instructions, or publish your thoughts.
• Go back in time
  Your notes are backed up when you change them. Just drag the version slider to go back in time.
• Instantly search
  Type what you’re looking for, and your list updates instantly. You’ll never misplace an important thought again.
• It’s free
  Backups, syncing, sharing — it’s all completely free.

[Simplenote]