JotNot

A blog for those who like not to jot.

iPhone Feature Request

Dec 22

Recently, we have received a few user emails on the subject of how to upload scanned images to Evernote using JotNot 2.1.  We decided to create this video to demonstrate how to do that.  This video also shows you how to workaround a bug in the UI that causes the “send” button to get disabled.   We hope that you find this video demonstration useful and that it clears up any confusion you may have.

Best,

Alec
Posted at 7:53pm

Dec 8

Uploading to Evernote with JotNot 2.0.1

We are aware of an issue with 2.0.1 that affects the ability of some users to upload their scanned images to Evernote.  We have fixed this issue in our code base and have submitted an update to Apple.  Hopefully, they will be able to turn this around shortly.  We are very sorry for this mistake and for any inconvenience we have caused.

2.0.1 fixes a bug in the import of PDF files from version 1.3 of the app.   Existing users of JotNot 2.0 who do not need this bug fix should not upgrade to 2.0.1 if they need a complete Evernote upload capability.

Fortunately, for those who have already upgraded, there is a workaround.  Evernote provides a unique email address you can use to send notes into your default notebook.  You can find this email address at the bottom of the Account Settings page (see screen shot below) on the Evernote website.

To upload to Evernote, simply send an email to this address using JotNot’s built-in email functionality.

Again, we are very sorry for making this mistake.  We will resolve it in the next update, which is currently in Apple’s review pipeline.

Best,

Alec

Posted at 9:57am

Nov 26

JotNot adds multi-page and much more

We’ve just released an update for JotNot that includes multi-page support and a ton of other features that you have requested above (we check your feature requests almost everyday).  Here’s some of what you’ll get in version 2.0:

  • Multipage support
  • Automatic  edge detection
  • WebDAV/iDisk support
  • Camera stabilization (requires the latest OS: 3.1)
  • Automated backup of scans
  • Reordering pages
  • An extensive web-based help
  • In app support
  • and more …

We hope that you like these features and we are looking forward to hearing from you.  We unfortunately have also found a couple of issues that we’d like to address.

If JotNot crashes while importing your PDFs from version 1.3 you have two options.  If you need the PDFs, the current workaround is to keep hitting “Cancel” each time JotNot starts; the PDFs will be saved on your phone.  We have already submitted an update to Apple to fix this issue—hopefully we will hear back from them shortly.  If you do not need the PDFs you can just delete the app and reinstall it, which will delete the PDFs and remove the prompt.

If JotNot crashes when you click the camera icon , then try turning off Image Stabilization under the Settings.  This is due to the fact that image stabilization requires the newest iPhone OS (3.1) so upgrading the OS on your iPhone will also fix the problem.

As always send us an email at support@jotnot.com to get in touch with us.

-Abe

Posted at 10:39am

Sep 1

JotNot now with Evernote!

We just pushed another update (v1.3) and added even more features to JotNot.  The biggest addition was in app integration with Evernote (www.evernote.com) which is an amazing free web service that can read printed text and even handwriting in pictures!

We think that JotNot and Evernote make a perfect notetaking combination because Evernote indexes and stores all the images you send to it making them searchable (we also suspect that JotNot improves the searchability of notes within Evernote).   As always JotNot still makes the note easier to read, print, and share.  Using the two services gives you easily printable, searchable documents from your pictures.  I’ve already started using JotNot with Evernote to store and organize my business cards.

There’s a ton of other stuff in the update too.  Here’s some of the other features:

  • Automatic paper size detection
  • More intuitive UI
  • Smaller PDF file sizes
  • Ability to turn off zoom when selecting
  • Long and short timestamp formats

We are already busy working on the next release, and we think it is going be huge, so stay tuned!

Posted at 12:20pm

Aug 7

We just updated JotNot!

We just released v1.2 of JotNot for the iPhone which has the following new features:

  • PDF creation
  • In-app email (JPEG, PDF, or PNG attachments)
  • Ability to reprocess the same image
  • Access to processing options from “Select Area” screen
  • WiFi support (to download PDFs)
  • Color invert option (for light text on dark backgrounds e.g. blackboards)
  • Selection corner labels (for rotating)
  • Brand new user interface
  • Slightly faster processing
  • Larger click area for settings button

We hope like the new version.  Alec and I apologize for the long delay between v1.1 and v1.2—but a lot has happened since the last version.  Alec has moved back to Texas, Nick has left MobiTech for a pretty exciting opportunity back in Philly, and I’ve double-downed on Cambridge, MA by by buying a house!

Posted at 2:38pm

Jul 9

New York Times mention!

NYTimes image

JotNot was written up in today’s New York Times in the Personal Technology section.  They mention a trend that Alec and I have also noticed: “Even though smartphones can be tricked out with thousands of add-on applications, only a few prove truly useful when it comes to organization.”  Fortunately for JotNot, it was one of the few that made the cut!  The article points that JotNot can be used in place of a fax machine.  I’ve been doing exactly that for the past week or so as we are finalizing the purchase of our house—sending signed documents has never been easier.  Check out the article (linked to above).

- Abe

Posted at 1:18pm

Apr 9

Tips for the best quality scans

The iPhone has a fixed lens camera so if you get closer than about 8 inches to the document, the image gets blurry.  Here are a couple of tips to get the best quality scans:

  • Make sure the document is flat
  • Hold the iPhone at least 8 inches away
  • Ensure that the document is well lit
  • Use black and white mode when you can
  • If the text is still too faint, try maxing out the contrast

Usually these steps will produce a scan of good enough quality for most people (for example the quality in our screen shots on the iTunes Store which are not retouched).  If you need extremely high quality scans of smaller documents (like receipts and business cards) you can get a macro lens attachment for your iPhone (see the below for information on the Griffin Clarifi).

-Abe

Posted at 8:00am

Apr 6
The new version of JotNot for the iPhone is out!  Version 1.1 adds a lot of features, improves perfornace, and reduces the memory footprint.  More specifically here’s what’s new: Settings (click the info button) Black and white mode Contrast control Faster processing Timestamp option Save original option Disable enhancement option Improved UI (new selector and scroll-view) These features allow you to use JotNot as a photography application.  Take a look the picture above—Alec took this in NYC by turning off enhancement, boosting the contrast, turning on the timestamp, and cropping the image. -Abe

The new version of JotNot for the iPhone is out!  Version 1.1 adds a lot of features, improves perfornace, and reduces the memory footprint.  More specifically here’s what’s new:

  • Settings (click the info button)
  • Black and white mode
  • Contrast control
  • Faster processing
  • Timestamp option
  • Save original option
  • Disable enhancement option
  • Improved UI (new selector and scroll-view)

These features allow you to use JotNot as a photography application.  Take a look the picture above—Alec took this in NYC by turning off enhancement, boosting the contrast, turning on the timestamp, and cropping the image.

-Abe
Posted at 3:04pm

Apr 3
Here’s a great little contraption called an iPhone Scandock that works well with JotNot.  It works by holding your phone the optimal distance from the document and it reduces jitter so that you get a sharp scan everytime. It is being sold by Kyle A. Koch through Ponoko which is an online fab company.  You can buy a packaged version (made from corregated cardboard) or you can fab your own from any available material of your choosing.  We think it is a neat idea! -Abe

Here’s a great little contraption called an iPhone Scandock that works well with JotNot.  It works by holding your phone the optimal distance from the document and it reduces jitter so that you get a sharp scan everytime.

It is being sold by Kyle A. Koch through Ponoko which is an online fab company.  You can buy a packaged version (made from corregated cardboard) or you can fab your own from any available material of your choosing.  We think it is a neat idea!

-Abe
Posted at 12:20pm

Mar 27
I just recently got a Griffin Clarifi case for my iPhone 3G which has a macro lens attachment built in to try it out.  I have found that it can dramtically improve the sharpness of iPhone’s built in camera in close range.  The picture of the business card above was taken on my iPhone 3G with the Clarifi and then processed with JotNot for the iPhone.Clarifi improves images of business cards, reciepts, and other documents where trying to capture the maximum number of pixels requires holding the iPhone very close to the document.  The reason for this is that the iPhone camera has a fixed-focus lens that Apple most likely set to focus at infinity.  When used on close subjects the image normally comes out very fuzzy.  The Clarifi is not helpful for all documents, however.  In particular, full page letter-sized documents are so large that you have to hold your iPhone far from them to fit them in.  At this range the normal iPhone lens works well enough. You don’t have to take my word for it, though. There is a great in depth review of the Clarifi case at http://www.theiphoneblog.com. They give it ★★★★★. They also provide lots of close-ups of the case as well a few before/after pictures showing the performance of the macro lens. -Abe

I just recently got a Griffin Clarifi case for my iPhone 3G which has a macro lens attachment built in to try it out.  I have found that it can dramtically improve the sharpness of iPhone’s built in camera in close range.  The picture of the business card above was taken on my iPhone 3G with the Clarifi and then processed with JotNot for the iPhone.

Clarifi improves images of business cards, reciepts, and other documents where trying to capture the maximum number of pixels requires holding the iPhone very close to the document.  The reason for this is that the iPhone camera has a fixed-focus lens that Apple most likely set to focus at infinity.  When used on close subjects the image normally comes out very fuzzy.  The Clarifi is not helpful for all documents, however.  In particular, full page letter-sized documents are so large that you have to hold your iPhone far from them to fit them in.  At this range the normal iPhone lens works well enough.

You don’t have to take my word for it, though. There is a great in depth review of the Clarifi case at http://www.theiphoneblog.com. They give it ★★★★★. They also provide lots of close-ups of the case as well a few before/after pictures showing the performance of the macro lens.

-Abe
Posted at 4:03pm