How to Replace Google Notebook

The same day I got excited about using Google Notebook on Blackberry, Google announced Notebook would be shut down forever. Although it is sad Google decided to stop development on a product that offer so much functionality, there are alternatives available.

Alternatives within other Google products

• Creating a dedicated document for notes within Google Docs can work for quick snippets you need to remind yourself of later.
• Using Google Bookmarks, you can keep track of links worth checking out again in the future. Google bookmarks can also be added to your iGoogle page, which is now super customizable.
• A lot of people are excited about the new To-Do list feature within GMail. Having a to-do list right in your inbox is great, especially when you have your inbox pulled up all the time. However, it doesn’t connect to your mobile phone, like Google Notebook could do.
• If you are taking notes while reading your RSS feeds, within Google Reader you can save those notes directly.

Google Notebook alternatives across the web

There are several different notebook tools online. Aside from features you find at any social bookmarking sites, there are some tools that offer more: here are three that allow you to import your Google Notebook notes, are online based, and two of them offer syncing with your phone.

1. Zoho Notebook

I like Zoho Notebook because not only is it similar in functionality to Google Notebook, but they are making use of this new development at Google by offering current Google users a tool to port their notes over from Google to Zoho Notebook. A detailed guide to make the transition can be found here.

The front page of Zoho Notebook is very similar in layout and design to Google, and you can even log into Zoho using your Google or Yahoo sign-in.

2. Evernote

Evernote also offers an import tool to move over all your notes still living with Google. Another great feature of Evernote is that they offer a desktop version that syncs with your online account. You can also download the Evernote tool to your iPhone or Windows Mobile device.

3. Ubernote

Like Evernote, this service allows you to save any type of note. A picture, URL, paragraph, or any other notable piece of information you want to save. It is packed with features, and of course offers a way to import all your Google based notes.

Which one of these makes the cut for your needs? Or do you prefer another note taking tool?