0010: Google Keep, Part Deux
Synopsis
In Episode 0010 (2019-01-20) I return to our Google Keep series. In the first episode of the series, episode 0008, I focused on the basics of Google Keep. In this episode, you will learn how to integrate Google Keep data into Google Docs and use advanced features. I do this by sharing my podcast preparation workflow. Lastly, I share the latest news including the new Pixel 3 Lite leak.
Be sure to check out the show notes where you can find a complete outline of the show as well as links. Share with your friends and remember to post those reviews!
Opening
- Snow and cold is the forecast (great time to prepare and publish a podcast)
- Google Keep, Part Deux
- Afterward, we will chat about the latest news (what little there is this week)
Using Google Keep
Why Google Keep?
- Last week’s power Example:
Christmas Decorations Note: Record the placement of Christmas decorations around the home for next year. Took about 13 pictures inside and outside of the home. Created a new note using the pictures. Used Google Pixelbook and Google Pen to make hand-written notations on the images. Created checkboxes in the same note with To Do items for next year (such as buy a smart outdoor outlet). Added the `Home` label. Shared the note with my wife so she too can add images and notes. Added a Reminder on November 1st annually to prompt me to review the note and begin preparation.
- I use Google Keep to plan and prepare each episode of the Pixel Power Podcast
- Each show note begins in Google Keep and is copied to Google Docs
Capturing Ideas
- I use all three Google Keep platforms Chrome OS App, Android App, and Web when capturing ideas and notes - it depends on where and when the inspiration hits me or information drops on me.
- In Google Keep settings:
- New notes at the top of the list (preserves chronological order of actions from newest to lowest)
- Notifications: Morning at 7 a.m., afternoon at 1 p.m., and evening at 7 p.m
- Enable sharing of notes
- Display rich links (mini preview at the bottom of the note for all URLs in the note)
- Learn those keyboard shortcuts (you can find those by clicking Settings | Keyboard Shortcuts
- Daily Feedly (RSS Reeder) review and Share URL to grab the URL of the site to review later
- Feedly and Split Screen on Pixel Phone and Pixel Book (copy and paste)
- Chrome Keep extension
- Capture entire page URL
- Capture selection on the page (images in selection will not be captured)
- Capture image (although I have issues)
- Long press on Google Keep icon
- New audio note
- New photo note
- New list
- New note
- You can break these out of the menu and make a unique tool on the launcher
- Note List (Shows a list of notes by a label - e.g. PPP and create a standard note, checkbox note, voice note, drawing note and photo note)
- Quick Capture (Everything above minus notes list)
- Choose your preference, I like long-press
- You can of course access all of these features in the app itself, but what’s the fun in that?
Organizing Thoughts
- Labels (create a new one quickly with `#`)
- Color (blue for PPP)
- Drag and drop organization (Two PPP notes pinned to the top of my list: current episode note and future show brainstorming note)
- Indent items in a note to organize by subject (theme or news) - drag with a finger or Ctrl + ]
Show notes preparation
- Copy note to a new Google Doc
- Open a Google Doc and then create a new note (Google Keep is found in the right side panel along with Calendar and Tasks). That note will now be linked to that document. Use it to capture notes on any device. Open that document and that note is immediately available.
- Drag and drop the entire note into a document
- Copy and paste content into the document
- Share notes with my wife for review and editing
Share Google Keep content with other apps on mobile
- If you want to work on Google Keep content in mobile apps more suited to long-form writing (such as iaWriter or Word), or share more broadly the content in an email, text, Slack, or social media, you can use the Pixel Share feature. It works extremely well and makes Google Keep a great place to begin thoughts. No copying and pasting necessary.
Final Google Keep Thoughts
My workflow continues to change over time as I become more efficient using the tools. We may one day come back to Google Keep and discuss any updates. Let’s just hope Google Keep doesn’t end up in the Google Cemetary. I have a concern because Google also has Google Tasks and has built a task database for Google Assistant (you can’t use Google Assitant to store items in Google Keep! IFTTT integration not yet available for Google Keep either).
News
- Google Fi: Google Fi RCS support for messages rolling out and bringing chat features to text messages
- Android TV: nVidia Shield TV Pro (500Gb hard drive edition) discontinued. nVidia Shield TV still available and recommended!
- Google Docs/Slides: More material theme goodies coming to Google Docs and Slides to clean up and make the interface a bit more consistent.
- Google Docs: Embedded drawings menu item is now appearing for me and does work in Google Docs, but not slides. Ability to embed drawing, update the drawing and open the source file directly within the document.
- Google Maps: Speed traps and limits rolling out (data from Waze)
- WearOS: New 2.3 release. No new features. My TicWatch received the update.
- WearOS: Google purchases undisclosed technology and personnel from Fossil for 40 million.
- Chrome Browser: Public Service Announcement: remove the Flash Reader Chrome extension now before it steals your credit card info. Disguises itself as a "You don't have Flash installed" warning.
- Pixel Phone: Google Pixel 3 Lite leaked with:
- Plastic back
- Reported Snapdragon 670
- LCD Screen, not OLED
- 4 Gigs of ram
- 32 Gigs of storage
- OG Pixel phone cameras
- A headphone jack!
- Pixel Phone: Some are seeing free $2 credits. Check the Google Play store to see if you have some credit available.
- Pixel Phone: Google assistant receives Google lens, voice search, and keyboard entry right next to each other at the center of the screen.
- If you missed $150 off Black Friday deals on Pixel 3 phones, they are back at the Google and Project Fi stores.
Wrapping Up
- Use the Google Group to post your Google Keep tips, tricks or questions and to learn more about your fellow listeners.
- Connect online at:
Pixel Power Podcast Show Notes