Is it the best AI Note-Taking app again? - State of Mem in 2024 Q1

PAPERLESS MOVEMENT®
19 Feb 202409:06

TLDRIn the 2024 Q1 review, the video revisits the AI note-taking app, Mem, which was previously loved but discontinued by the reviewer. The app's updates and active development are highlighted, with a focus on new features like note previews, collaboration, and source integration. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of video embedding and slow loading times, the reviewer appreciates the clean interface and the app's potential for productivity, encouraging users to provide feedback for future improvements.

Takeaways

  • 📝 The video revisits the AI note-taking app, me, which was previously loved but removed from the tool stack due to some issues.
  • 🔄 me has been actively updating and improving, as evidenced by the continuous newsletter updates and feature implementations.
  • 👀 The reviewer appreciates me's new transparency towards the community regarding their progress and future plans.
  • 📋 Upon reopening me, the reviewer notes the clean interface and the continued support for collaboration features.
  • 🔍 me now offers better previews and information display when hovering over notes, which is a welcomed improvement.
  • 💡 The app suggests similar notes and content when creating a new note, which can aid in knowledge discovery.
  • 📹 There is still a lack of video embedding functionality, which remains an unmet need from the reviewer's previous experience.
  • 📄 PDF files can be uploaded, but there is no embedding or detailed indexing within the app, which is a limitation.
  • 🔎 The search functionality has improved, allowing for more refined searches such as searching for notes with images or specific content.
  • 📊 The integration with ClickUp's AI and knowledge management features is praised for enhancing productivity.
  • ⏳ The loading times for certain features within me are considered long, impacting the overall user experience.

Q & A

  • What was the initial opinion of the reviewer about the AI note-taking app mentioned in the video?

    -The reviewer initially loved the AI note-taking app, finding it amazing to use and seeing a bright future for it.

  • Why was the app removed from the reviewer's tool stack previously?

    -The reviewer does not specify the exact reasons in the script, but mentions that there were several reasons that can be found in a previous video.

  • What feature did the reviewer miss while using the app previously?

    -The reviewer missed communication to the community about what the app developers were working on and what features would be coming next.

  • How has the app's interface changed since the reviewer last used it?

    -The interface now shows the reviewer's notes and a clean look, with the inbox and notes visible upon opening the app.

  • What was the reviewer's issue with the 'Sources' button in the app?

    -The reviewer questioned why the 'Sources' button was added, as there wasn't much to add, and suggested that the icon alone should be enough for a clean interface.

  • Did the app successfully embed a video in a note as the reviewer tested?

    -No, the app did not successfully embed a video in a note; it only recognized YouTube links but did not embed the video content.

  • What was the reviewer's experience when adding a PDF file to the app?

    -The reviewer could upload a PDF file, but there was no PDF embed, and the app did not immediately recognize the content of the PDF in searches.

  • How does the app assist in knowledge management according to the reviewer?

    -The app provides serendipity by suggesting related notes and information, but the reviewer emphasizes that effective knowledge management requires proper organization and structure of notes.

  • Is there a dark mode feature available in the app as of the time of the video?

    -No, the reviewer did not find an option for dark mode, which many users had requested.

  • What is the reviewer's overall assessment of the app's development?

    -The reviewer did not see significant improvements in the app's development, particularly in terms of speed and loading times, but is willing to keep an eye on it and explore any key features they might have missed.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Reflecting on AI's Past and Updates

The speaker begins by discussing their history with an AI tool, expressing nostalgia for its initial use and the decision to remove it from their toolkit. Despite this, they've maintained interest through updates and newsletters, noting the AI's active development and community engagement. The speaker is eager to explore the changes and assess whether it's worth reintroducing the AI into their workflow.

05:00

📚 Navigating the AI's Interface and Features

The speaker dives into the AI's interface, highlighting its clean look and collaboration features. They note the ability to see all notes, both personal and shared, and express satisfaction with the preview function. However, they question certain design choices, such as the inclusion of a 'sources' button. The speaker also discusses the AI's search capabilities, including searching for notes with images or videos, and attempts to embed a video, which unfortunately doesn't work. They express curiosity about the AI's evolving capabilities and the potential for future improvements.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Note-Taking app

An AI Note-Taking app refers to a software application that utilizes artificial intelligence to assist users in taking, organizing, and managing their notes. In the context of the video, the app in question is 'me', which the speaker previously praised for its innovative features but later removed from their tool stack due to certain issues. The speaker is now re-evaluating the app to see if it has improved and if it's worth reintroducing.

💡Community Communication

Community communication refers to the interaction and information exchange between an app's developers and its user community. In the video, the speaker appreciates the updates from 'me' and notes that regular communication with the user base is a positive step towards transparency and building trust. It's important for users to know what the developers are working on and what new features to expect.

💡Collaboration Feature

A collaboration feature in the context of note-taking apps allows multiple users to work together on shared notes or documents. The speaker notes that this feature is still present in 'me', highlighting its importance for teamwork and collective productivity. Collaboration features are essential for real-time cooperation and sharing of ideas among users.

💡Inbox

In the context of the video, 'Inbox' refers to the central location within the note-taking app where all notes, whether individually created or shared by others, are aggregated for easy access. The speaker is pleased to see their inbox upon reopening the app, which signifies an organized starting point for managing and reviewing notes.

💡Note Embedding

Note embedding is the process of inserting content, such as videos or images, directly into a note within the app. The speaker expresses a personal desire for this feature, as it would enhance the richness and utility of the notes. However, during the evaluation, the speaker finds that embedding a video does not work as expected, indicating room for improvement in this area.

💡PDF Integration

PDF integration refers to the ability of an app to handle, display, and manage Portable Document Format (PDF) files within its interface. In the video, the speaker tests the app's capability to integrate PDFs by uploading a file and observing how the app responds. The app's ability to show the text from the PDF is noted, but the lack of embedding and immediate searchability indicates that there are still limitations to its PDF handling capabilities.

💡Knowledge Management System (KMS)

A Knowledge Management System (KMS) is a set of processes and tools that organizations use to create, share, use, and manage the knowledge and information of their staff. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of having a well-structured KMS for productivity and the role AI plays in enhancing it, particularly through integration with platforms like ClickUp.

💡Search Functionality

Search functionality within a note-taking app allows users to find specific notes or information quickly. The speaker evaluates the app's search capabilities, noting that while it can recognize certain keywords and find related notes, there are still limitations, such as the inability to embed videos or handle PDFs effectively.

💡Dark Mode

Dark Mode is a display setting that changes the color scheme of an app's interface to a darker palette, often reducing eye strain and power consumption in low-light conditions. The speaker mentions that many users have requested this feature for the app 'me', indicating a desire for a more comfortable viewing experience, especially during extended use.

💡Productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which individuals or organizations achieve their goals and complete tasks. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of a well-organized note-taking app in enhancing productivity, emphasizing that AI features should complement, not replace, the user's organizational system.

💡User Interface

The user interface (UI) is the space where interactions between users and a computer program occur, including the design and layout of the screens, buttons, and other visual elements. The speaker comments on the clean look of the app 'me', but also notes issues with certain design choices, such as the slow loading times and the inclusion of unnecessary buttons.

Highlights

The review revisits the AI note-taking app, Mem, which was previously loved but removed from the tool stack.

Mem has been actively updating and communicating with their user community.

The app's interface has been cleaned up, with a focus on a better user experience.

Collaboration features remain a key aspect of the app, allowing users to share notes.

The app now shows similar titled notes and related content, enhancing discoverability.

Users can search for notes containing specific media like images and videos.

Embedding videos directly in notes is still not supported, indicating room for improvement.

PDF files can be uploaded and their text content is searchable within the app.

The app now offers a sidebar for easier navigation and note organization.

Loading times for certain features are still a concern for the reviewer.

The app's AI now integrates with ClickUp, a business knowledge management tool.

The reviewer emphasizes the importance of proper note organization over reliance on AI for productivity.

The app now suggests collections for better note categorization.

The reviewer misses a dark mode option, which many users have requested.

Despite some updates, the reviewer does not see significant advancements in Mem's development.

The reviewer is open to exploring more features in future updates and invites user feedback.