Google Keep has had a busy year in 2025. It’s my go-to app on Android for quick notes. While I appreciate its simplicity, I can’t help but wonder how a more advanced note-taking app from Google would look.
Last year brought features like “Help me create a list” and enhancements for tablets. In 2025, Google tweaked the floating action button (FAB) to streamline note creation. I’ve been using the “Create text notes by default” feature since it launched in April. That same month, they redesigned the quick capture widget, which I’ve now added to my lock screen.
On the web, text formatting options became available, although the Apple Watch app was removed due to lack of updates.
The biggest design change this year was the Material 3 Expressive update. It aligns the search app with Google Workspace apps like Docs and Gmail. The new layout improves the overall user experience. The Wear OS app got an update, particularly benefiting the Tile feature.
Another handy addition is the ability to sort notes right from the homepage. Meanwhile, Google continues to migrate reminders into Tasks.
When I compare Keep to apps like Apple Notes, Keep feels simpler. The existence of Google Docs likely keeps Keep from becoming too complex. Apple Notes seems to have far more features than Pages, so it makes sense. For now, Keep serves me well for quick notes, and I appreciate its fast performance.
Its grid view, introduced in 2013, sets it apart from other list-based note apps. This unique design is why I still use it.
Although I love its simplicity, there’s room for improvement. The web version, keep.google.com, could really use a fresh look.
Looking ahead, I’m curious about the future of note-taking apps, especially those using AI. I once hoped NotebookLM would work with Google Keep, but it’s now a distinct tool. If Google adds features like transcription and summarization from Pixel Recorder to Keep, that could elevate the app.
An ideal AI note app would be smart and proactive, keeping track of your emails and calendar to help you manage tasks better. Perhaps Google could explore a more complex version of Keep, similar to how they approached Inbox in the past.
Ultimately, I envision a smart assistant that combines note-taking features with advanced capabilities. This could redefine how we use notes and task management.
