Releases

Please refer to my development progress for details on future releases.

2.3 - live April 11, 2011

IMPROVED:

  1. Eraser
  2. Move and resize closeup box
  3. Left margin for closeup box
  4. Re-arrange navigation buttons on closeup box (new left and down buttons)
  5. More stroke colors (yellow) and thicknesses
  6. Music background paper
  7. Sort fonts
  8. Cosmetic change (remove Bradley font, change skin for selection buttons)

BUGS FIXED:

  1. Delete button bug (sometimes didn’t work)
  2. Multi-page deletion
  3. When turn off deletion gesture, it should be off in closeup box
  4. When tap on iOS spelling popup, should not dismiss text box
  5. Deletion gesture should also clear out selection
  6. Change template for a notebook should not change for other notebooks.
  7. Notebooks sorted by last update
  8. Crash when move/copy in iOS 3.2
  9. Tapping multiple time on Delete button on toolbar
  10. Two finger tap while in text edit mode

2.2 – (Screenshots)

NEW:

  1. Folder.
  2. Empty Trash.
  3. Delete and manage audio files (list, delete and export to MP3 and M4A).
  4. Ability to change page title.
  5. Password protected.
  6. Duplicate page (for template creation).
  7. Move pages between notes.

IMPROVED:

  1. [Done - 1.4M/1min versus 12M/1min] Optimize audio recording file size.
  2. [Done] Allow background music while recording.
  3. Don’t stop recording when navigating through pages, only alert users.
  4. Textbox auto-resize. Some fonts doesn’t give accurate size calculation; for these fonts, need to find a way to roll back – disregard auto-resize all together.
  5. New method of measuring font size for text box.

BUG FIXES:

  1. When open the app in landscape mode, later change to portrait mode will leave the area below the closeup box editable (so cannot lay palm on the lower portion).
  2. Two-finger tap while editing text gone wild!
  3. Check for Google Docs save password for if credential ever entered.
  4. Pages in “Restored Pages” folder cannot be deleted.
  5. Line width setting doesn’t apply in closeup box.
  6. Select and zoom in will leave popup buttons outside the border.
  7. [Done] Recording playback play only one speaker with headset.
  8. Closeup write when reaching the end of the line sometimes move down instead of forward leaving text on top of others.
  9. Left-hand use crash the app (when laying palm on top).

2.1 – submitted to the App Store on Nov 8, 2010 – live on Nov 15, 2010

NEW:

  1. Quick pick stroke color, text color, size, …
  2. Change stroke and font of existing handwriting and text.
  3. Have buttons to manually advance and move to next line in closeup box.
  4. Page navigation buttons.
  5. Quick insert and delete page buttons on toolbar.
  6. Export as images to iTunes.
  7. Export single page PDF (to iTunes, email, and Google Docs).
  8. Save as images to Photo Albums in iPad.
  9. Long press to lock text mode (when disable two-finger tap gesture – tap-to-text mode).
  10. Change note to readonly.
  11. Option to hide recording button.

IMPROVED:

  1. Can record for a very long time now (no more crash).
  2. No more PDF font error (unable to display in Google Docs or PCs).
  3. Shape recognition is to be more forgiven (able to draw stars now).
  4. Delete last page will automatically create an empty page and generate alert – no more confusion.

2.0 - submitted to the App Store on Sept 25 – live on Oct 2, 2010

  1. Completely renew the UI to introduce the “iPad user experience”.
  2. Voice recording
  3. Shape detection
  4. Page thumbnails
  5. Fullscreen landscape edit
  6. Draw when zoomed-in
  7. Recover deleted notes
  8. Auto-advance for closeup write
  9. Palm pad versus palm detection
  10. Selection gesture, deletion gesture.

1.2 - submitted to the App Store on July 4, 2010

  • Fix a major defect concerning moving strokes sometimes doesn’t save.

1.1 – submitted to the App Store on June 2, 2010

  1. Defect: Fixed the impression of slowness/unresponsiveness due to skipping strokes because of incorrect double tap handling.
  2. Defect: Fixed the email PDF out-of-sync problem. No longer has to export to PDF before emailing.
  3. Move PDF documents out of Notes folder when sync-ing with iTunes for easy drag

140 Comments (+add yours?)

Older

  1. Devin
    Nov 03, 2010 @ 13:21:00

    hi
    thanks for your explanation. so for version 2.0, i can crop photo from my library…more important is …..can i drop a picture from a webpage snapshot? I am sorry, but this function is really important for me. thanks again.

    • Viet Tran
      Nov 03, 2010 @ 13:47:17

      Hi Devin,

      I’ll try my best.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  2. Jiangang ying
    Nov 03, 2010 @ 07:08:58

    Do you mean there is no function of LCD out, which was in the list of version 2.1? I need it. If this is difficult, could you export pdf file to “good reader” so that I can use its LCD out?

    1. I found that some fonts of text can not be transfered to PDF correctly.
    2. “page up” and “page down” are really a nightmare.

    • Viet Tran
      Nov 03, 2010 @ 09:58:39

      Hi Jiangang,

      Notes Plus several problems with the iOS 4.2 which will be coming out anytime now. That’s why I have to submit this release (with next/previous page buttons) as soon as I can and have to push back the LCD out. However, I’ll work on it as soon as I submit this release.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  3. Devin
    Nov 02, 2010 @ 17:02:47

    Thank you for your working. Would you please explain as below:
    Export to JPG/PNG – Individual page export………That is mean..I can import a picture and export to pdf after your update version. My focal point is ….dropping picture from any website, is available? Thank you in advance for any useful information. Meanwhile, sync with Facebook is available?

    • Viet Tran
      Nov 03, 2010 @ 11:36:52

      Hi Devin,

      Yes that’s what it means. I don’t know about dropping picture from any website but I’m sure about dropping picture from your Photo library.

      No, sync with Facebook is not available.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  4. Chris
    Oct 30, 2010 @ 14:05:35

    Wow! Thanks for the quick reply! I’m not sure what you mean by LCD out unless you are talking about using the Apple VGA adapter to hook the ipad to a projector? This approach limits collaboration because each person would have to go to the ipad (much like they go to the whiteboard) rather than passing the ipad around.

    I was suggesting that the ipad could wirelessly connect to the same network as the conference room projector PC thus allowing the output of the app to show up in an HTML 5 supported web browser on the conference room projector PC in real time. Does this make sense? Air Sketch Free demonstrates this feature but the application comes nowhere close to being as feature rich as Notes Plus.

    Regards and thanks for an awesome notetaking app!

    Chris

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 30, 2010 @ 14:17:51

      Hi Chris,

      Yes, that’s what I meant. You are right, it’s very limited because of the wire. I’ll look at Air Sketch Free to learn what they have. Meantime, have you thought of wireless capability of iOS 4.2 (coming out in November). I haven’t looked pass the wireless printing but if it can wirelessly attach to the network (with a public IP), then the problem is solved, right?

      Very interesting. Thanks,
      Viet

  5. Chris
    Oct 30, 2010 @ 13:20:31

    I am looking for a tool that will allow me to collaborate with a room full of people instead of using a whiteboard. Air Sketch Pro’s approach to this is by far the best in that you can open up a web browser on the conference room computer which has a projector attached to it. As you write on the iPad, the image is displayed in real time on the computer’s browser which is projected for the room to see. All this is being done wirelessly without the need to use a via adapter. I think this functionality would be an awesome addition to notes plus (or perhaps a separate product) as it would allow for notes in a true collaboration environment. Cheers!

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 30, 2010 @ 13:23:35

      Hi Chris,

      Would LCD out from iPad do the trick (if so then next version you will have it) or you need wireless connection from iPad to LCD as well (I don’t think this is possible with the current iPad)?

      Viet

  6. Rio
    Oct 29, 2010 @ 18:20:53

    The ability to search for “keywords” that are typed within a note would be great. Also, the ability to “tag” pages/notes would be very good as well.

    Thanks,
    rio

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 30, 2010 @ 10:42:36

      Hi Rio,

      Sure, those are already in product backlog.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  7. Rio
    Oct 29, 2010 @ 17:58:39

    An easily accessible “undo” button would be very helpful. I too am also very anxious for the import picture/pdf option as well. If you could incorporate the functionality that “Underscore Notify” has, you would appeal to many more people. This program has much more functionality that Notes plus, but lacks in the UI area. You are far better in that regard.

    Thanks,
    Rio

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 30, 2010 @ 10:44:07

      Hi Rio,

      What do you mean by easily accessible “undo” button? Should it be placed somewhere else in the app?

      Best regards,
      Viet

  8. Travis
    Oct 29, 2010 @ 17:13:27

    keep up the good work!

    in your bug fixes, does the strike out mean you’ve done it, not doing it, don’t need to do it, can’t do it, done but not released, what?
    I just downloaded and tried to record a 30 minute conversation and it crashed without saving, fortunately i saved the important parts in writing. the longest i’ve recorded tested without a crash is 3:30, the shortes crash i’ve recorded was 6 minutes. this fix would be awesome.

    do the recordings synch anywhere? it would be cool to get to them directly from the iPod app or save them externally as an mp3 or something.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 29, 2010 @ 17:35:04

      Hi Travis,

      The cross means already done, waiting to be released. I think I will release this one earlier because the crash really bother me. I might submit on Monday. Will let you know.

      Right now, the recording feature is very weak. It doesn’t sync to anything nor export to MP3. Will do in the future though.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  9. Tony
    Oct 29, 2010 @ 12:03:29

    Hi Viet,

    I bought the app a couple of days ago based on the reviews – and it’s great, just what I have been looking for. The only frustration I have is getting the notes out of the app. I know I can email the pdf, and also get the notes through iTunes, but Dropbox (I know it’s on the list) will be the best solution for me – can’t wait for the update. I was also wondering about being able to pull the notes into iBooks – could be a good way to organise them?

    Anyway, great app – thank you.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 29, 2010 @ 12:24:46

      Hi Tony,

      You are totally right. As with many users, Dropbox is the the must. Sorry that I should have worked on this instead of Google Docs from the beginning. It’s just that I have too much to do and to little time. So I stabilized the app, made all the input feature in place, now I’ll focus on cloud sync-ing and organization. Thank you for investing in me and the app. You won’t regret it.

      I’ll investigate more about iBooks. If I could export to iBooks, it would be the most convenient.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  10. Rahul
    Oct 29, 2010 @ 10:55:00

    NEEDS A CALCULATOR.

  11. Henry
    Oct 28, 2010 @ 16:41:13

    I just read a previous post where you commented on HW recognition. Sorry, didn’t read all the archive. Shame it’s not scope. Let’s hope something becomes available! I would pay for that extended functionality.

    Thanks again.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 28, 2010 @ 17:14:49

      Hi Henry,

      You are ahead of me. Even though I couldn’t do it. I could integrate with Evernote to take advantage of their handwriting recognition (at least for searching). Do you have an Evernote account?

      Thanks,
      Viet

  12. Henry
    Oct 28, 2010 @ 16:35:29

    Hi, I just bought this app. I think its the best one of its kind and I’m excited to use it. I was wondering if you ever plan on adding handwriting recognition and a text search box. That would allow me to convert my writings into text and search throughout my pages.

    With that functionality, I could through away my work notepads and shelve my laptop 90 percent of the time. I know the recognition technology isn’t perfect but if you added that, I bet there would be legions of people using your app 5-6 days a week. I know I would! Thanks for all your work on this fantastic product.

  13. Tony
    Oct 28, 2010 @ 10:39:45

    i got the note plus and its really good.

    I have a lot of pdf records, and i want to add new information on the existing pdf. really hope this can work in the future.

    Thanks

    Tony

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 28, 2010 @ 10:47:53

      Hi Tony,

      Yes. Imported PDF and write-over is currently in product backlog. Will have it in future releases.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  14. lordcares
    Oct 27, 2010 @ 09:24:02

    Can we get some kind of sync capability?

    I can’t for the life of me find a note app that can sync with either Evernote or Google Docs. (except for Evernote app… but you need to be connected to the net to use that)

    If this app can sync like many great iPhone note apps, I’ll buy it immediately.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 27, 2010 @ 10:39:48

      Hi lordcares,

      Notes Plus can export PDF to Google Docs. Evernote sync-ing is a killer feature and I’m very excited about that. I will have it in future version.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  15. Jiangang ying
    Oct 27, 2010 @ 02:01:52

    When will you release version 2.1? I am looking forward to it.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 27, 2010 @ 10:40:31

      Hi Jiangang,

      I’m looking at mid November.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  16. David
    Oct 25, 2010 @ 21:18:18

    My bad. Thanks!

  17. David
    Oct 25, 2010 @ 21:12:07

    Please add an eraser!

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 25, 2010 @ 21:13:21

      Yes, a pixel eraser is in the product backlog.

      Viet

  18. David
    Oct 25, 2010 @ 21:10:28

    Just purchased your app. It has great potential, but without an eraser, I find it impossible to use for note taking.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 25, 2010 @ 21:12:32

      Hi David,

      There is two way to delete: First, squiggle back and forth just like in the video demo: http://notesplusapp.com/about/demo-video. Second, circle around an area to select objects within and then hit Delete button.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  19. KIm
    Oct 25, 2010 @ 13:45:09

    Love the app! I’m having problems with “deleting” notes. I can press the delete button but nothing happens.

    Also, do we have the ability to e-mail our notes?

    Thanks! a Million!

    Kim

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 25, 2010 @ 14:55:29

      Hi Kim,

      On the note list (not the page list), swipe across a note just like you would delete an email. Yes you can email notes. Tap on the Action button (far right).

      Thanks,
      Viet

  20. Kim
    Oct 25, 2010 @ 07:18:43

    i love this app, but i wiah i can change the name for the notes and categoris.

    thanks

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 25, 2010 @ 10:47:03

      Hi Kim,

      Tap on the note title on toolbar to change its name.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  21. Diane Fields
    Oct 25, 2010 @ 04:35:09

    I think you are planning the things I’d like–Dropbox, insertion of photo, etc. Jsdt bought the app tonight but already know your app beats the other apps i’m using, Smartnotes and Noteshelf. I left a review and am looking forward to upgrades.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 25, 2010 @ 11:01:12

      Hi Diane,

      Thank you very much for using the app. Yes, Dropbox is one of the most requested features. Without it, the app is not much useful because the Apple file sharing process via iTunes is just too convoluted and inconvenient. Please do not hesitate to give suggestions. This app grows because the developer really listens to what users need.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  22. alf
    Oct 24, 2010 @ 09:34:54

    Hi Viet,

    first of all: Really GREAT app! Amazing, I like it very much!
    Awesome for handwriting on the iPad. You really have done THAT right!!!
    I have already submitted a (german) AppStore review today too.

    Two things: It’s good to restore deleted notes … but now complete deletion isn’t able at all? Or did I get that wrong?

    The other suggestion: I would really like to add photos (or photographed notes from my iPhone) from the iPad PhotoAlbum to a page and do some drawings on or beneath it. I think that would be a really good feature too!
    And I would be willing to pay for that, if added as an InApp-Purchase extension.

    Ever thought on extending your app that way?!
    I have done that with my app (finarX timesheet HD) and it works quite well … and it’s even a kind of copy-protection against the hacked-apps-installers, because the InApp products aren’t hackable afaik.

    Regards,
    alf

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 24, 2010 @ 11:18:22

      Hi Alf,

      Thank you very much for the compliments.

      - Sorry, currently you cannot empty trash. I will think about that feature in the future.
      - Add image and photo is already in product backlog. Will have it in future release.

      Thank you for pointing out the InApp purchase to prevent pirated copies. I never thought of it before.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  23. CK
    Oct 24, 2010 @ 06:48:38

    Many thanks for this great application. If may make a few suggestion for later versions:
    1) import of pictures which can be positioned similar to the shapes
    2) annotation of PDFs
    3) allow for folder structure to organize notes – all folders or individual folders could be exported as PDF
    4) include search function – in case people have a long list of notes

    Again – fantastic app

    CK

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 24, 2010 @ 11:23:41

      Hi CK,

      Yes, importing of picture, PDF (and write over), folder, and text search is already in product backlog. Will have it in future releases.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  24. Peter
    Oct 22, 2010 @ 15:13:04

    Let me just say that I CANNOT wait for you to support annotating PDFs. I’m currently using Notarize for this and writing in it is an awful experience compared to your App.

    When do you think you’ll launch this capability?

  25. shuifengxi
    Oct 22, 2010 @ 07:38:53

    hi!
    Thanks for your great App.I have bought it in appstore.
    And I need a rubber to erase a little area,maybe there is only a character,you konw a circle or cross over a line can’t do it well.
    An other .When I select the A to type text,when I tap outside of the text area,the “A” is deselect.I must tap “A” again to start an other typing.
    And “two fingers”to start typing may change to “one finger two tap”?If as this,We don’t need A button.Try it ,you will like it.
    Sorry for my english.
    Thanks for your app again.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 22, 2010 @ 10:29:23

      Hi Shuifengxi,

      Thank you very much for your suggestions. I’ll consider them very carefully.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  26. Andrebis
    Oct 19, 2010 @ 09:42:41

    Already posted about the app … just wanted to add that I’m one of those people that *loves* the position of the close up box because one can rest the palm comfortably below it. If it gets moved down too much, it will make it less comfortable IMHO. If you do move it, please make the postion a setting?

    Thanks!

    - Andre

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 19, 2010 @ 12:28:55

      Hi Andre,

      That (the palm) was the reason I did it this way. However, some users need flexibility and customizability, so I guess I have to make the box resizable (thus, movable).

      Viet

  27. James Andrews
    Oct 13, 2010 @ 22:38:03

    Hi,

    Could you add a password protect option?

    Thanks,
    James

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:03:10

      Sure James. Many people requested this. I’ll add it in the product backlog.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  28. Khal
    Oct 09, 2010 @ 15:06:20

    Hi Viet,

    Regarding the interface for file system, how about creating two column windows side by side where both shows the folder and notes in this app.. so u can navigate back and forth through the folders in both window individually, so that you can transfer a note from one window and just drag to the folder that u want to transfer to in the second window.. just my opinion.. hope it helps.. Cheers..

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 09, 2010 @ 15:26:58

      Hi Khal,

      Thank you very much for your suggestion. I think drag and drop with two windows will either complicate the UI or break the current UI structure. I think it’s much easier to just implement it like Apple Mail.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  29. Ciaran
    Oct 09, 2010 @ 14:56:59

    Viet –

    Mail app does provide an interface for moving emails from one folder to another. It isn’t drag and drop, but it is clean and familiar. The folks over at Aji have created a drag and drop interface for iAnnotate which, in my opinion is awful. It functions well but is unintuitive. You might want to take a look as an example of what not to do…

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 09, 2010 @ 15:25:05

      Hi Ciaran,

      The mail interface is exactly what I need. I don’t need to make it fancy (drag and drop) to burden users. Users don’t do this action very often anyway. Thank you very much for pointing it out.

      Viet

  30. Ciaran
    Oct 08, 2010 @ 23:18:18

    Viet:

    Re: file system. Apple does actually give you some sense of how this could/should work–The mail app. It doesn’t have the ability to create new folders, or tagging, but it does allow for the organization of emails into folder and moving them back and forth. If you took the basic mail interface and added the ability to create folders, smart folders (search-based folders for recent files, tagged files, and the like) I think you would have a fairly clean and intuitive interface.

    That’s a lot to implement (so no rush on my account), but you asked for ideas….

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 09, 2010 @ 11:31:00

      Hi Ciaran,

      Presenting the file system isn’t hard. Enabling moving files between folder is another problem. I’m sure once having folders, people will want to move notes between folders. That is the interface I couldn’t figure out. The most natural way to move files between folder is drag and drop. To be able to do that, the app must show 2 open folders (once for source and one for target) at the same time. That is the UI I haven’t figure out. Worst case: I will expand the note list temporarily to fullscreen and do a full-blown folder system.

      Thanks,
      Viet

  31. Misha
    Oct 08, 2010 @ 16:34:16

    Hi Viet. This is the first time I’ve commented on an iPad app. I felt compelled as your app is so good, and even more than that shows so much promise, particularly as you appear to want to continue to improve it regularly. I’ve been trying a number of notetaking applications and the handwriting UI you’ve come up with works surprisingly well. I love the ability to incorporate typed text and shapes too, but at the core is the handwriting ability and even with just a finger, your application makes this work very well.

    In fact, it’s such a pleasure to use, that I am finding myself echoing others’ comments about wanting improvements to the organization of notes, so this could become my full-time notepad replacement. I think adding support for folders and for tagging notes with keywords would make my use case work very nicely: folders to organize notes by topics (say, “Staff Meetings”, “Family Stuff”), but also tagging to identify those pages with “to-do” items on them. I’ll mark checkboxes on notes as a meeting progresses to indicate things I have to do, and being able to tag (and quickly view) the listing of pages with a given tag, regardless of their folder, would be very helpful.

    Thank you.

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 08, 2010 @ 18:16:38

      Hi Misha,

      Thank you very much for your compliments. About the organization of notes, I already designed a folder/cabinet structures. However, it will take longer than other simple features because introducing folder means enabling moving notes/pages between folders. The most consuming part is the UI design. I want to put a lot of thought into this; not doing it for the sake of having it. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Please note that since Apple strongly discourage the concept of file system on these iOS devices; they don’t provide any example (not in Pages, Keynotes, or even Photo app). It’s tough to be the first to design something. Regardless, I’ll try hard to not disappoint you.

      Best regards,
      Viet

  32. Ciaran
    Oct 07, 2010 @ 21:50:02

    Viet – first, as I state in my app store review, I think you’ve nailed it with this release. Just a few comments on the list of features for 2.1:

    (1) with features 6-7, I should just say that I find the current height of the closeup box perfect for both resting my hand on the ipad and writing in the closeup box. If you move it down too far, I’d be concerned about not being able to do this. (And I love the current behavior that just scrolls the page up so you can write on the bottom of it easily). I also don’t want to worry about where the box shows up, so I’d be extra-careful in how you make it resizeable…

    (2) I’m looking forward to feature 8 as often I want to skip down one line.

    As far as bugs go, the most major annoyance I’ve encountered is how difficult it is to get to the next page. Looks like you’re addressing this, so that’s fantastic.

    Beyond that I just want to congratulate you on adding so many features, but keeping the interface so clean and intuitive. Please keep it up!

    • Viet Tran
      Oct 07, 2010 @ 22:40:34

      Hi Ciaran,

      1. That was my ground when I did this feature. However, users who commented about not seeing the top area are also right. Usually, in this situation, I’ll have some kind of preference settings. Thank you for pointing it out though. I thought it was only me who like it that way.

      2. Sure.

      Yes. For people who use this app a lot, this moving between pages are very uncool. Will change.

      Thanks for the compliments. I’ll try my best.
      Viet