Instapaper vs OneNote

2017. Microsoft redesigned OneNote


Microsoft has introduced an enhanced version of its note-taking application, OneNote. This update focuses on improving the navigation layout, particularly for larger notebooks containing numerous sections. The navigation controls have been consolidated into a single area on the left-hand side of the app, enabling users to seamlessly switch between their notes. This enhancement not only enhances usability but also ensures better compatibility with assistive technologies. With this update, users can expect a consistent experience across all devices, enabling them to effortlessly capture thoughts, jot down notes, and increase productivity. Regardless of the device they are using, the updated OneNote empowers users to work more efficiently and effectively.


2016. Instapaper premium goes free for all users



The Premium version of the news reading app Instapaper is now available for free to all users. Following its acquisition by Pinterest in August, Instapaper continues to operate as a separate entity and receives updates from the dedicated Instapaper team at Pinterest. With the backing of a larger organization and its abundant resources, Instapaper can now focus more on user acquisition and engagement without the immediate need for monetization. Instapaper was one of the pioneers of the "save it for later" concept, enabling users to hold onto long-form content instead of simply skipping over it and missing out. It gained significant popularity as an early iPhone application and consistently ranked highly in the App Store's news category. However, the competition in this space, particularly from companies like Pocket, has been increasing, posing challenges for Instapaper's growth.


2016. Pinterest buys news-reading app Instapaper



Pinterest has recently made an acquisition by acquiring the original read later service, Instapaper. While both Instapaper and Pinterest function as bookmarking services, Instapaper primarily focuses on text-based content, whereas Pinterest is renowned for its emphasis on images. As of now, the official stance is that there will be no immediate changes following the acquisition. Pinterest's interest in acquiring Instapaper lies in its technology, particularly its impressive text parser, and the talented individuals responsible for developing that technology. However, it seems highly unlikely that Pinterest is primarily interested in retaining the Instapaper service itself. While Pinterest has committed to keeping Instapaper operational, there is a notable distinction between sustaining the service and actively enhancing it.


2016. Microsoft makes it easy to switch from Evernote to OneNote


Microsoft has introduced a new tool designed to simplify the transition from Evernote to its rival application OneNote, which is part of the Microsoft Office suite. Known as the "OneNote Importer tool," this software aims to address the challenges and associated costs that often deter users from switching to a competing platform. Microsoft takes a persuasive approach by highlighting that OneNote is available for free across all devices, while Evernote Premium is a paid product costing $50 per year. Currently, the tool is only compatible with Windows, but a version for Mac users is actively being developed and is expected to be released in the upcoming months. Please note that while the HTML tags and links were retained, they may not be properly rendered in this plain text format.


2015. Instapaper launches Notes in its mobile news-reader



News reading and sharing app Instapaper has introduced a new feature called Notes, which enables users to annotate specific text in articles or other content. By default, Notes are kept private, ensuring that no one else can view your comments. However, users have the option to share their annotations using Twitter's textshot feature. Additionally, sharing is possible through various third-party iOS applications like Facebook, Evernote, and Tumblr, as well as through a new IFTTT trigger. Instapaper has also included a "Share All Notes" button for those who wish to share all their annotations by default.


2015. News reading app Instapaper adds speed reading option



The mobile news reader, Instapaper, has introduced an app update that introduces several noteworthy features to enhance the user experience. With Instapaper 6.2, users now have access to a feature called Speed Reader, which presents a single word at a time, enabling a more focused and efficient reading experience. Additionally, the update brings faster article saving from mobile devices and Instant Sync, a faster and more reliable method of transferring articles to the Instapaper app on iOS. Instapaper recently underwent a complete redesign, launching version 6.0 as a freemium model for the first time. While Speed Reader will be available for free ten times per month, it will subsequently be included in the premium tier of the service.


2014. Microsoft OneNote becomes free


The online notebook-organizer, OneNote, has historically been a component of Microsoft Office, requiring a paid subscription. However, with the introduction of the free Office Online, the online version of OneNote also became freely accessible. Subsequently, Microsoft released free mobile OneNote apps for Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone. Nonetheless, the desktop version of OneNote remained exclusive to the paid MS Office suite. Today, Microsoft has unveiled OneNote for Mac and announced that the desktop version for both Windows and Mac is now available for free. As a result, Evernote faces a significant competitor that offers comparable cross-platform availability, convenience, and functionality. In addition, OneNote provides users with more extensive free cloud storage and collaboration features that are only accessible through Evernote's paid version.


2012. Microsoft SkyDrive и OneNote landed on Android



Microsoft has finally overcome its hesitation towards rival mobile platforms, demonstrating a willingness to cater to a broader audience. In the past, the company released several applications for iPhone and iPad, and it is currently developing a comprehensive mobile version of Office for the iPad. Now, Microsoft has turned its attention to Android users, aiming to bring them joy as well. Naturally, they began with applications that benefit from cross-platform functionality, such as the file storage service SkyDrive and the versatile notebook and organizer app OneNote. With these new offerings, users can seamlessly synchronize any files, including OneNote notebooks, between their Android smartphones and their online SkyDrive accounts. However, there is a small caveat to consider. While SkyDrive for Android is completely free, the mobile version of OneNote is free for up to 500 notes. Once this limit is reached, users will be required to pay a one-time fee of $4.99 to remove the restriction and continue enjoying the app without limitations.