Paperless: Incredibly useful app that Macworld says "deserves a spot on your iPhone"

[Razeus]

The free version, Paperless Lite, is limited to 15 total list items. (so you can have 1 list with 15 items, or 3 lists with 5 items, etc. Note that to get the full 15, you need to delete the sample lists included with the app.)

The full version has no limits on the number of lists or list items that you can create.

Aside from that, both versions are exactly the same. So, you can use the lite version to try out the app for free and see if you like it.

Will give it a try and report back. I've been looking to replace all my native Apple apps since Apple seemingly can't be bothered to update any of their apps functionality since 2007. This is the last one I could possibly replace since SMS, Calendar, Photos, Maps, Contacts, App Store I need to keep on the front page as they are the only worthwhile native apps left.


/rant

Side question: How does this differ from 2Do app (or to do apps in general?)

 

[atari1356]

Side question: How does this differ from 2Do app (or to do apps in general?)

Paperless is meant to be a flexible app for making lists, whether they're checklists or lists without checkboxes. Its strength lies in its versatility and ease of use.

For checklists, it's not meant to be a traditional time-based todo app. You don't assign dates to items... instead, if something is important you just move it to the top of the list. I've found that this works very well for me. Since priorities change often, I can quickly rearrange list items rather than waste a lot of time adjusting due dates. Based on feedback, many users agree with this simple approach.

I think these particular app store reviews help sum it up:

★★★★★
Perfect as it is - After having tried a good deal of apps to get myself more organised - both free and paid - it is clear that this tops them all. Other apps presented a kind of novelty; I could fool myself into thinking that I was more organised, but it was never long before I abandoned them because it was obvious that they consumed unnecessary time. Paperless, however, has truly helped. It is streamlined, it is simple, it is sumptuous. I, for one, hope that you DON'T add clutter such as due dates and priorities because those frills can be bought and fought with elsewhere.

★★★★★
Simple, flexible, easy to use, and a real bargain - I buy a lot of task and notes apps. Most of them. And I try most of the free ones too. But few are as well designed, as simple, and as useful as Paperless. This application looks great, is perfect for making lists of all kinds, is flexible enough for tracking downs, can optionally display check boxes. And once you've worked through a list and have checked all the items, you can easily delete them. In short, if you have need for lightweight task and notes app, Paperless is for you. But you can also use in the app in conjunction with a full featured app, the one that tends to take longer to load and use.

★★★★
Almost perfect! - Needs the ability to create sublists, and then this will be the perfect app. Flexible, pretty, uncluttered, and without all the "getting things done" junk that gets in the way of JUST MAKING A LIST! So simple to use, it was almost as easy as just writing things down on a list of paper. The icons are amazing-- I have another listmaker with a set of emoji-like icons that I tired of almost immediately, these are attractive and there are plenty of them. These developers really understand the list-maker's mindset and how it differs from the GTD philosophy! They just need to get in touch with the seriously list-obsessed and make it possible to add a checklist within a list item, and then this will be the perfect listmaking app.

 

[Razeus]

Paperless is meant to be a flexible app for making lists, whether they're checklists or lists without checkboxes. Its strength lies in its versatility and ease of use.

For checklists, it's not meant to be a traditional time-based todo app. You don't assign dates to items... instead, if something is important you just move it to the top of the list. I've found that this works very well for me. Since priorities change often, I can quickly rearrange list items rather than waste a lot of time adjusting due dates. Based on feedback, many users agree with this simple approach.

I think these particular app store reviews help sum it up:

★★★★★
Perfect as it is - After having tried a good deal of apps to get myself more organised - both free and paid - it is clear that this tops them all. Other apps presented a kind of novelty; I could fool myself into thinking that I was more organised, but it was never long before I abandoned them because it was obvious that they consumed unnecessary time. Paperless, however, has truly helped. It is streamlined, it is simple, it is sumptuous. I, for one, hope that you DON'T add clutter such as due dates and priorities because those frills can be bought and fought with elsewhere.

★★★★★
Simple, flexible, easy to use, and a real bargain - I buy a lot of task and notes apps. Most of them. And I try most of the free ones too. But few are as well designed, as simple, and as useful as Paperless. This application looks great, is perfect for making lists of all kinds, is flexible enough for tracking downs, can optionally display check boxes. And once you've worked through a list and have checked all the items, you can easily delete them. In short, if you have need for lightweight task and notes app, Paperless is for you. But you can also use in the app in conjunction with a full featured app, the one that tends to take longer to load and use.

★★★★
Almost perfect! - Needs the ability to create sublists, and then this will be the perfect app. Flexible, pretty, uncluttered, and without all the "getting things done" junk that gets in the way of JUST MAKING A LIST! So simple to use, it was almost as easy as just writing things down on a list of paper. The icons are amazing-- I have another listmaker with a set of emoji-like icons that I tired of almost immediately, these are attractive and there are plenty of them. These developers really understand the list-maker's mindset and how it differs from the GTD philosophy! They just need to get in touch with the seriously list-obsessed and make it possible to add a checklist within a list item, and then this will be the perfect listmaking app.

Well I bought it. A lot of care has been put into this app. Definitely can replace the apple Note app. I was on the fence at first since I have 2Do, but realized it's best to use your app as a Note app replacement which I use to make lists or outlines.

For example, im going to new Orleans soon and made a List called "Things to do in NO". Then i cite all the things i want to see and do there. However in 2Do, i have a "plan trip to NO" task. Then i go to paperless to outline the details. It's the system I've been using with the Notes app.

I like how clean your ui is. Nice and simple. My only request is to allow me to choose a ui that is not....green. Gunmetal gray perhaps.

 

[atari1356]

Thanks for the purchase Razeus.

I like how clean your ui is. Nice and simple. My only request is to allow me to choose a ui that is not....green. Gunmetal gray perhaps.

You'll be happy to know I've been working on exactly that (see attached screenshot).

It would have made it into the last update, but I've been having a problem getting the edit button on the main screen to change colors without pressing it (or restarting the app). Plus I didn't want to delay retina display and iOS 4 support just for that.

 

[Wetwipes]

Hey - great app! I downloaded the free version and within 5 mins had upgraded to the paid version.

Loving the simplicity of it all, I don't like similar apps that are too clever as I just find them too confusing. This does exactly what it says on the tin!

I'm just off now to organise my life!

 

[summerpeach]

this app is great, but i like awesome note better. i just switched today.

 

[MrNimziki]

I used this app (lite) over the weekend, as I had some things I needed to get done (only 15 ), and I have to say, I love it! That being said, I do have a few requests. Some of the items on my list would look like "Do yard work, remember to..." and if I clicked on the item, all I could look at was the notes and there was no way to look at the actual item (luckily I remembered what I had to do ). Can this be fixed? Also, is there a way to edit a list name after it's been made? And is it possible to disable the whole "Are you sure you want to delete" pop-up? All in all I'm pretty happy with the lite version, and while I want to update to the full one, I've bought quite a few apps in the last few weeks so I might just wait and see if this one falls back in the .99 range...

 

[atari1356]

Hey - great app! I downloaded the free version and within 5 mins had upgraded to the paid version.

Loving the simplicity of it all, I don't like similar apps that are too clever as I just find them too confusing. This does exactly what it says on the tin!

I'm just off now to organise my life!

Glad you like it!

I used this app (lite) over the weekend, as I had some things I needed to get done (only 15 ), and I have to say, I love it! That being said, I do have a few requests. Some of the items on my list would look like "Do yard work, remember to..." and if I clicked on the item, all I could look at was the notes and there was no way to look at the actual item (luckily I remembered what I had to do ). Can this be fixed?)

I'm working on making it possible to show longer item names, along with landscape mode which will help with that as well. (although I usually just keep item names brief, then put more details in the notes)

Also, is there a way to edit a list name after it's been made?

List names can be edited by tapping the icon in the lower left corner while viewing a list... it looks like a folder with a gear over it.

List item names can be edited by tapping on the item, then tapping the document with a gear icon in the lower left.

And is it possible to disable the whole "Are you sure you want to delete" pop-up?

For list items, you can disable that popup in the app settings (the gear icon on the main screen).

For deleting entire lists, I felt that it was important to keep that popup there as an added safety from accidentally deleting a list.

 

[MrNimziki]

Ahh ok, looks like I just needed to explore the app a little more. I'll probably just end up buying it, I've been really impressed with it and love the display.

 

[Biiclops]

Downloaded the Lite version yesterday and bought the full version after just a couple minutes. This is exactly the list-making app I've been looking for for months! Really nice work.

My only thought on improving it would be the option to change themes, and I see above there's a gray one in the works! Very, very cool.

 

[atari1356]

Downloaded the Lite version yesterday and bought the full version after just a couple minutes. This is exactly the list-making app I've been looking for for months! Really nice work.

My only thought on improving it would be the option to change themes, and I see above there's a gray one in the works! Very, very cool.

I'm glad you like it, thanks for the purchase!

 

[dels]

Great app for those of us who like simple to manage, yet organized lists.

 

[shakzilla]

Just bought the app, really like it. Any chance of being able to make lists within lists in the next update? And the ability to attach files to lists/list items would be handy, too.

 

[atari1356]

Great app for those of us who like simple to manage, yet organized lists.

Thanks Dels

Just bought the app, really like it. Any chance of being able to make lists within lists in the next update? And the ability to attach files to lists/list items would be handy, too.

Lists within lists is something I'm considering (that's the most requested feature), but it won't be in the next update, as there are other things I'm working on right now.

I'll keep the attaching files idea in mind too.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[kalsta]

Just spent a few hours sifting through to-do list apps on my iPhone — and gosh are there a lot to sift through! Thought I was going to end up with 2Do or Todo even though both are more complex than I really need… and then I stumbled across Paperless. I think I almost glossed over it because it didn't have a jolly tick in the icon like every other list app!

Anyway, I really like it. I agree with your approach to prioritising tasks by just placing important ones at the top of the list. I wanted this app for organising my tasks around the home, and that is the perfect way to do it 95% of the time. For business, I have to work to deadlines, but for that I have more complex desktop software. I don't need the same kind of stress when I come home! So I say stick to your current approach. Like you say, there are no shortage of 'getting things done' clones out there for people who want to work that way.

There are obviously some missing features, and my top requests aren't gong to surprise you… Syncing/sharing, and sub-lists.

Syncing/sharing: Call me old school, but I'm not a huge fan of keeping all my data in 'the cloud'. What I would like though is some way of creating and updating lists on the Mac, since if I have a choice I find it easier to type on a real keyboard. (Yeah, I'm definitely 'old school'!) And some way to share and sync lists with other family members' iPods/iPhones would be great.

Sub-lists: I hope this can be done without compromising the app's simplicity and elegance. Those two apps I mentioned before both do it, but not without some issues. In order to create a sub-list within an item, they make you change that item's type to a 'checklist' or 'project'. If you add a sub-list but then change the parent back to a normal checkbox item, the whole relationship between parent and sub-list is lost. Then there is the question of how to show that an item contains a sub-list. 2Do changes the checkbox to an icon, making it less obvious how to tick the whole group at once. ToDo keeps the checkbox and adds little icons on the right to try and indicate what each item contains, but it's not all that obvious, leading to unexpectedly inconsistent behaviour when you click on different items.

I'm really not sure why the need to make the user specify a 'type' of item like these apps do. Surely if the user tries to insert a sub-list, the app can do what it needs to do behind the scenes and just make it work! Also, I'd prefer to be able to expand a sub-list as an indented list (like when you click the disclosure triangle in a Finder list). Not sure how you combine a disclosure triangle (or similar) with a checkbox and keep it all visually clean though. That's the challenge I think.

Anyway, it's still a really nice app even without those features and I've purchased it already. I notice there are no reviews for the paid version in the Australian app store yet, so I'll be sure to add one soon.

All the best selling enough copies to give up the day job!

 

[atari1356]

Just spent a few hours sifting through to-do list apps on my iPhone — and gosh are there a lot to sift through! Thought I was going to end up with 2Do or Todo even though both are more complex than I really need… and then I stumbled across Paperless. I think I almost glossed over it because it didn't have a jolly tick in the icon like every other list app!

Anyway, I really like it. I agree with your approach to prioritising tasks by just placing important ones at the top of the list. I wanted this app for organising my tasks around the home, and that is the perfect way to do it 95% of the time. For business, I have to work to deadlines, but for that I have more complex desktop software. I don't need the same kind of stress when I come home! So I say stick to your current approach. Like you say, there are no shortage of 'getting things done' clones out there for people who want to work that way.

There are obviously some missing features, and my top requests aren't gong to surprise you… Syncing/sharing, and sub-lists.

Syncing/sharing: Call me old school, but I'm not a huge fan of keeping all my data in 'the cloud'. What I would like though is some way of creating and updating lists on the Mac, since if I have a choice I find it easier to type on a real keyboard. (Yeah, I'm definitely 'old school'!) And some way to share and sync lists with other family members' iPods/iPhones would be great.

Sub-lists: I hope this can be done without compromising the app's simplicity and elegance. Those two apps I mentioned before both do it, but not without some issues. In order to create a sub-list within an item, they make you change that item's type to a 'checklist' or 'project'. If you add a sub-list but then change the parent back to a normal checkbox item, the whole relationship between parent and sub-list is lost. Then there is the question of how to show that an item contains a sub-list. 2Do changes the checkbox to an icon, making it less obvious how to tick the whole group at once. ToDo keeps the checkbox and adds little icons on the right to try and indicate what each item contains, but it's not all that obvious, leading to unexpectedly inconsistent behaviour when you click on different items.

I'm really not sure why the need to make the user specify a 'type' of item like these apps do. Surely if the user tries to insert a sub-list, the app can do what it needs to do behind the scenes and just make it work! Also, I'd prefer to be able to expand a sub-list as an indented list (like when you click the disclosure triangle in a Finder list). Not sure how you combine a disclosure triangle (or similar) with a checkbox and keep it all visually clean though. That's the challenge I think.

Anyway, it's still a really nice app even without those features and I've purchased it already. I notice there are no reviews for the paid version in the Australian app store yet, so I'll be sure to add one soon.

All the best selling enough copies to give up the day job!

Thanks for the feedback Kalsta. It's always nice when someone appreciates the simple approach I've taken when it comes to checklists in Paperless and not cluttering it up with dates and priorities to manage.

I want to add both syncing and sharing features eventually - and sublists is something I'm seriously considering. I have some experimenting to do with user interface details first, before I'm comfortable saying absolutely yes to sublists.

... and thanks for the purchase!

 

[atari1356]

Macworld posted their review of Paperless today, and gave it a 4.5 mice rating!

I've been a Mac geek since my parents bought an original 128k Macintosh way back in 1984. I grew up reading Macworld magazine... so, I'm very excited about this.

A small preview of what they had to say:

"Paperless: Lists + Checklists, a $2 to-do list app for the iPhone from Crush Apps, pulls off a pretty impressive feat. It manages to stand out in the crowded App Store task management space—by virtue of its simplicity."

 

[Razeus]

Macworld posted their review of Paperless today, and gave it a 4.5 mice rating!

I've been a Mac geek since my parents bought an original 128k Macintosh way back in 1984. I grew up reading Macworld magazine... so, I'm very excited about this.

A small preview of what they had to say:

"Paperless: Lists + Checklists, a $2 to-do list app for the iPhone from Crush Apps, pulls off a pretty impressive feat. It manages to stand out in the crowded App Store task management space—by virtue of its simplicity."

I like it and useful for keeping lists around. Any word one when I'll be able to change the color from green to a color my choice?

 

[bilibug]

Macworld posted their review of Paperless today, and gave it a 4.5 mice rating!

I've been a Mac geek since my parents bought an original 128k Macintosh way back in 1984. I grew up reading Macworld magazine... so, I'm very excited about this.

A small preview of what they had to say:

"Paperless: Lists + Checklists, a $2 to-do list app for the iPhone from Crush Apps, pulls off a pretty impressive feat. It manages to stand out in the crowded App Store task management space—by virtue of its simplicity."

Simplicity is why I love this app. I hate time based to-do lists, as I am always needing to rearrange my schedule. I prefer to have simple checklists, organized by category or location. This app fits the bill PERFECTLY, and looks pretty darn nice to boot! Other apps have features I will never use, that get in the way. Don't really need more than the lite version, but will buy to support this developer.

 

[BABankert]

Macworld posted their review of Paperless today, and gave it a 4.5 mice rating!

I've been a Mac geek since my parents bought an original 128k Macintosh way back in 1984. I grew up reading Macworld magazine... so, I'm very excited about this.

A small preview of what they had to say:

"Paperless: Lists + Checklists, a $2 to-do list app for the iPhone from Crush Apps, pulls off a pretty impressive feat. It manages to stand out in the crowded App Store task management space—by virtue of its simplicity."

Congratulations on your success! Just wanted to say that I'll be buying the app without even trying it just because of how interactive you are with the users in this community. I really appreciate when developers take users' ideas into account - keep up the great work!

 

[silentsim]

Wish I had more iTunes store credit

Have the lite version, I love this app.

Recommended it to about 10 people so far who have purchased the full version!

 

[calbear85]

Don't really need more than the lite version, but will buy to support this developer.

+1

 

[atari1356]

I like it and useful for keeping lists around. Any word one when I'll be able to change the color from green to a color my choice?

The color themes are going to be part of a larger update... I can't say exactly when it will be out yet, as I still have some work to do.

Simplicity is why I love this app. I hate time based to-do lists, as I am always needing to rearrange my schedule. I prefer to have simple checklists, organized by category or location. This app fits the bill PERFECTLY, and looks pretty darn nice to boot! Other apps have features I will never use, that get in the way. Don't really need more than the lite version, but will buy to support this developer.

Thank you bilibug! I appreciate the support.

Congratulations on your success! Just wanted to say that I'll be buying the app without even trying it just because of how interactive you are with the users in this community. I really appreciate when developers take users' ideas into account - keep up the great work!

+1

Wow, thanks BABankert and calbear85!

Wish I had more iTunes store credit

Have the lite version, I love this app.

Recommended it to about 10 people so far who have purchased the full version!

Check your PM's.

 

[Stampyhead]

Great app! I purchased it after trying out the Lite version and I've found it has a lot of uses (especially when my wife sends me to the grocery store).
I actually really like the green colour (it's bright and cheerful) so hopefully when you add colour themes the green one will still be there!

 

[dubnde]

fantastic app. Just tried the lite version and I am thinking of buying it as soon as I can get some iTunes credit. Was using the checklist app and the simplicity with paperless is better especially to use offline.