This. And because I prefer to journal by using a pen, this app will not replace my routine using GoodNotes on the iPad. However, I see a use case as a glorified photo commenting function here.
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iOS 17.2: How to Use Apple's New Journal App
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This. And because I prefer to journal by using a pen, this app will not replace my routine using GoodNotes on the iPad. However, I see a use case as a glorified photo commenting function here.
I agree but you can just write your journal and just copy paste it with iCloud to iPhone. I do this often as a workaround
I used to do handwritten journals too, with my various fountain pens. It's true for me that the experience of pen to paper is just awesome. Plus, I much prefer browsing paper journals and don't feel a sense of satisfaction browsing through electronic journals.
That said, there is something to be said for electronic journaling:
- It's much faster. I can get in more words and more thoughts. Journaling by hand is slower, which sometimes can be fine but there are many, many times when I just need to have a quick way to journal (write) something fast.
- Handwritten journals are not easy to search
- I don't have my journal with me wherever I go, but I usually would have my phone which I don't journal in but can start skeletons of drafts
I've gone back and forth between handwritten journals and electronic ones over the years.
I'm thinking that in old age, I probably wouldn't find it very interesting trying to open up electronic entries (what software to use? digital problems etc.) whereas a paper journal is always there and you just need to simply open it up, physically, and start reading.
I think digital information dies/expires much quicker than hardcopy. I have digital files from some years back that I either can no longer open OR it will take some trial and error before I can open it and even then things like formatting might be lost.
Anyhow, for a while I started journalling in Scrivener and in the past year moved to Obsidian. I haven't really decided between the two which one to use though.
Have people really been waiting for this app?
I have zero interest in using this. If it could connect to a blog site or social media for publishing, it might be useful?
But for just personal journaling, it's just a big *shrug* from me.
I have zero interest in using this. If it could connect to a blog site or social media for publishing, it might be useful?
But for just personal journaling, it's just a big *shrug* from me.
If you like journaling, more power to you. My guess is that if you journal, you already have a favorite app, have tons of data in it, and won't be impressed by this one. Journal, like Freeform, is an application that nobody was asking for, few will use, and that was released when users were actually requesting features and apps that would have made a big difference for a lot more people. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- A real password application
- Splitting out apps like, safari, mail, etc. so fixes can be applied without an os upgrade.
- End to end encryption for contacts
- Improvements to HomeKit
- Better Siri
At the moment.
Why conclude right off the bat it will never be on iPad and Mac?
When Apple originally debuted this app, I thought it was going to be more of a life-logging thing where it leveraged on-device learning and robust privacy to show you interesting activities and interactions for any given day—a combination of your physical activity, places you visited, contacts you interacted with, music you listened to, photos you took, that sort of thing. The released app is so barebones. For simple note-taking the Notes app is fine, and for robust journaling Day One is still more capable. 🤷♂️ This feels like a missed opportunity for Apple to do something Apple-y.
not being one to give a flying whohah about "personal affirmations" or that sort of thing, I DO see a use for this, as a chronological series of notes to myself about things I deal with throughout the day. I have a really annoying habit of coming across things throughout the day and forgetting to follow up once I get back home or get distracted by a shiny object. Also, as someone who does a lot of home DIY and workshop projects, can see using it to take notes about what I need to shop for and where. IMHO i am happy that it's very simple....for now.
Also, I appreciate being able to voice-dictate the text as I journal. I'd much rather talk to it than type.
Also, I appreciate being able to voice-dictate the text as I journal. I'd much rather talk to it than type.
All great points! What I’ve done to address those so far is:
Keep my journal sizes A5 or smaller
Separate journals for each main subject
Different pens inked with different colors to use for any sub-topics per journal (easy with a 3-pen case)
My messenger bag is able hold those AND my new M3 MacBook Pro (yeah, just threw that last one in there to brag 😂). It’s my first new one since late-2013!
I can paste in (literal paste/tape) any flat items if I want. It’s nice to have the real thing and not just a photo, scan or “clipart” of the thing.
There’s such a different feeling you get when manually writing a journal. The brain remembers the written word much more than electronic. The smoothness and flow when you have a proper nib with a juicy ink is like laying down liquid glass on a slab of ice. That hits my sweet spot! Also, it’s quick to change writing styles inside a sentence, or just inside a block. There’s no need to highlight/dropdown fonts/pick color/pick style/pick line width/ etc. And if you have a flex nib, line variations are amazing!!!
And then there’s the thought of leaving them for my daughter to read and keep after I’m gone. There’s really something to be said about having the actual handwriting, ink and paper to hold and read after losing that loved one. That ability to physically touch what was once touched by the author is precious. It’s much different than pulling up data on a black mirror.
Having said all of that, yes, I agree with your points. Very valid. I’m nearing 50 (ugh) so I’m starting to feel set in my ways a bit. Only a little bit, though!! Hahaha
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This app is being pushed so hard without highlighting the serious limitations.
How’s this a lot more than Notes, have you used Notes at all? Notes is 10x this.
Stop it... Stat!
Exercising one's imagination and curiosity contemplating how an Apple program/product could be effectively used in one's life is frowned upon here. No forum cred for you today.
Best to muster up an oversized eye-roll and proclaim it a flop. That's always a crowd-pleaser! And remember that bonus points are awarded for saying something negative about Tim Cook.
Agreed, it's completely pointless on iOS only. Can you imagine the waisted time? I have notes, and I can attached anything I need, and even those I do mostly on Mac. This productivity action is really not well used to create on a phone, would be better for just viewing or sharing at phone. That's me though, I get it, millions of iPhone users only use their phones, and have no idea how much simpler, quicker, better it is to create on a Mac, or even iPad.
Never reached that conclusion. You only read the Cliff's Notes!
I like the idea of keeping a timeline of my life. I sort of get that through pictures. I'll poke at the Journal app to see if it's something I consider worth forming a habit around when time is a precious commodity.
I'm not overly worried that this is feature poor right now. It's standard software development practice to establish an idea/hypothesis, spend some time to launch a MLP (minimal lovable product), and incrementally add more features over time. Software engineers and product managers are just making educated guesses at what people will like and use usage/feedback data to refine it. If it sucks, they'll pivot. If it's loved, they'll keep and build upon it. Send your feedback, it might get heard and adopted if it's not hyperbole-laden tantrums.
I'm not overly worried that this is feature poor right now. It's standard software development practice to establish an idea/hypothesis, spend some time to launch a MLP (minimal lovable product), and incrementally add more features over time. Software engineers and product managers are just making educated guesses at what people will like and use usage/feedback data to refine it. If it sucks, they'll pivot. If it's loved, they'll keep and build upon it. Send your feedback, it might get heard and adopted if it's not hyperbole-laden tantrums.
SO.. Without being able to add video and storing the entries to BOTH your computer, cloud of your choice; I will have to wait till these features are added. I use Journey which seems to allow at least one limited video clip per entry(I wish you could mix and match video and pictures per journal entry though).
For sure they will release that at some point.
It just seems they go about some things backwards.
Some apps start in laptops/desktops and then move to phones.
Well it’s their way.