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Take notes on mobile phones#

This #recipe offers solutions to taking Foam notes on the go.

For the time being we have decided to not build a mobile app, but rely on third parties (see build-vs-assemble).

The most promising options are:

GitJournal#

Pros

  • Open source
  • Already a usable solution.
  • Provides functionality to edit, create, and browser markdown files.
  • Support journal mode, todo lists, and free writing
  • Syncs to GitHub repo
  • Supports Wikilinks
  • Supports Backlinks
  • Developer is happy to prioritize Foam compatibility

Cons

  • Doesn't generate link reference lists (but this is ok, since workspace-janitor as a GitHub action can solve this)
  • Not as sleek as Apple/Google notes, some keyboard state glitching on Android, etc.
  • Lack of control over roadmap. Established product with a paid plan, so may not be open to Foam-supportive changes and additions that don't benefit most users.

Verdict: Good. By far best effort/outcome ratio would be to help improve GitJournal rather than building a bespoke mobile app.

GitHub Codespaces#

Pros

  • Works out of the box just like the desktop app

Cons

  • not generally available quite yet
  • Pricing

For a quick demo, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI5m4Uy8_4I.

Verdict: Good. Pricing should be reasonable for taking notes on the fly. Harder to assess for people who would constantly use Foam from mobile phone.

Bespoke mobile app for Foam#

Given we already have a solution, why would we spend time and effort building a bespoke mobile app?

  • Taking notes on the go is a key part of a good note taking process, and the process should feel effortless
  • Having a custom app could help us support key user workflows in a more Foam-specific manner

If such an app was worth building, it would have to have the following features:

  • Instant loading and syncing for quick notes
  • Sleek, simple, beautifully designed user experience.
  • Ability to search and navigate forward links and back links (only in paid GitJournal version)
  • Killer feature that makes it the best note taking tool for Foam (?)

Given the effort vs reward ratio, it's a low priority for core team, but if someone wants to work on this, we can provide support! Talk to us on the #mobile-apps channel on Foam Discord.