The note-taking pioneer reinvents itself with OpenAI partnership and long-awaited features

Evernote, the once-dominant note-taking app that seemed to fade into obscurity, is making a bold play for relevance with its most significant update in five years. Version 11, released today, represents a dramatic shift in strategy as the company goes all-in on artificial intelligence, partnering with OpenAI to transform how users interact with their notes.

The timing of this comeback attempt is notable for anyone who’s written off Evernote in recent years. The company has been quietly rebuilding since Milan-based developer Bending Spoons acquired the struggling app in 2022 and subsequently relocated operations to Europe after significant layoffs. Now, with over 200 improvements and a major version release, Evernote is ready to reclaim its place in the productivity conversation.

AI Assistant: ChatGPT Inside Your Notes

The centerpiece of version 11 is AI Assistant, developed in collaboration with OpenAI. This isn’t just another chatbot bolted onto an existing app—it’s a deeply integrated tool that fundamentally changes how users can work with their accumulated knowledge.

AI Assistant goes beyond simple search functionality. Users can ask questions about their notes in natural language, generate new content, and interact conversationally with their entire note library. During a demonstration, Evernote’s product lead Federico Simionato showed how AI Assistant could add specific details like flight numbers to travel notes, suggesting a future where the tool becomes a true digital assistant rather than just a search interface.

The implementation comes with important privacy safeguards. Users maintain granular control over which content AI Assistant can access, and Bending Spoons’ agreement with OpenAI explicitly prevents user data from being used to train models. Any information sent for processing is only retained for the duration needed to complete the request.

Interestingly, Bending Spoons is taking a more aggressive approach with AI Assistant than with previous AI features. The tool will be enabled by default for all paid users, a decision informed by earlier missteps. When the company released AI Search in 2023, they buried the activation deep in settings out of privacy concerns. Users found this approach too cumbersome, and with AI tools becoming mainstream, Evernote decided to make AI Assistant immediately accessible.

Semantic Search: A Decade in the Making

Perhaps even more significant than AI Assistant is the introduction of Semantic Search—a feature longtime Evernote users have requested for over a decade. Traditional keyword search requires users to remember exact words or phrases from their notes. Semantic Search understands context and meaning instead.

The practical implications are substantial. Type “Barcelona trip” into the search bar, and Evernote might surface notes about a journey to Girona, recognizing the geographical and contextual relationship even though Barcelona isn’t mentioned in the document. This contextual understanding transforms Evernote from a digital filing cabinet into something closer to a second brain that actually understands what you’re looking for.

According to Simionato, Semantic Search tops the list of most-requested features from the Evernote community. Its arrival in version 11 suggests Bending Spoons is listening to longtime users while simultaneously courting new ones with AI-powered capabilities.

Enhanced Transcription and Recording

Building on the AI Transcribe feature introduced in 2024, version 11 expands Evernote’s audio capabilities significantly. The app can now record and automatically transcribe both in-person meetings and online conversations, then generate summaries of what was discussed. The feature supports every language currently available in Evernote, making it useful for international teams and multilingual users.

Earlier this year, Evernote increased the file size limit for AI transcription to 100MB, accommodating hour-long meetings or lectures. The transcription engine uses advanced speech recognition designed to handle various accents and background noise, though optimal results still require relatively clear audio.

The Road Ahead

All new AI features will roll out first to desktop and web versions this month, with mobile support following later. Currently, these capabilities are exclusive to paid subscribers, though Bending Spoons plans to offer free users a trial period in the coming months.

There’s a caveat worth noting: price increases are on the horizon. Simionato acknowledged that the company will adjust pricing soon, partly because the gap between Personal and Professional tier offerings has narrowed considerably.

For Evernote, version 11 represents more than just a feature update—it’s an argument that the app deserves another look. Simionato’s hope is simple: that people will give Evernote a try and discover it’s no longer the slow, unreliable application many remember.

Whether this AI-powered transformation can truly resurrect Evernote’s fortunes remains to be seen. The productivity app landscape has grown crowded with formidable competitors like Notion, Obsidian, and Roam Research. But with OpenAI’s technology under the hood and long-requested features finally arriving, Evernote at least has a compelling story to tell.

The question now is whether anyone’s still listening.

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If you’ve ever checked your email on your phone, streamed a movie on Netflix, or stored photos online, congratulations—you’ve already used cloud computing! But what exactly is “the cloud,” and why does everyone keep talking about it?

Understanding the Cloud: It’s Simpler Than You Think

Despite its mysterious name, cloud computing is actually relatively straightforward. Think of it this way: instead of storing all your files, photos, and programs on your personal computer or phone, you store them on powerful computers located elsewhere—often in large data centers around the world. You access these files and programs through the Internet whenever you need them.

Imagine your home filing cabinet versus a safety deposit box at a bank. Your filing cabinet is like your computer’s hard drive—everything is right there at home, but you could lose everything if something happens to your house. A safety deposit box is like the cloud—your important documents are stored securely in a professional facility, and you can access them whenever you need to, from any bank branch.

Real-World Examples You Use Every Day

Cloud computing isn’t just for tech companies. Here are some services you might already be using:

Email Services: Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail store your emails on their servers, not on your device. Because they’re all stored in the cloud, you can check your email from any computer, tablet, or phone.

Storage Services: Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud let you save documents, photos, and videos online. Delete an image from your phone by accident? You can get it back if it’s backed up to iCloud or Google Photos.

Streaming Platforms: Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube don’t download entire movies or songs to your device. They stream content from their cloud servers, saving space on your devices.

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok store billions of photos and videos in the cloud, allowing you to access your posts from any device.

Office Software: Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace let you create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online without installing software on your computer.

The Benefits: Why People Love the Cloud

Access Your Stuff Anywhere: Whether you’re at home, at work, or on vacation, you can access your files from any device with an internet connection. No more emailing files to yourself or carrying around USB drives.

Automatic Backups: Most cloud services automatically back up your data. If your phone falls in a pool or your laptop crashes, your photos, documents, and files are safe in the cloud.

Save Storage Space: Instead of filling up your device’s storage with thousands of photos and large files, you can store them in the cloud and free up space for the things you need right now.

Easy Sharing: Want to share vacation photos with family or collaborate on a work document? Cloud services make it simple to share files with others, even if they’re across the country.

Cost-Effective: Many cloud services offer free basic plans, and paid plans are often cheaper than buying and maintaining your own equipment. You only pay for what you use.

Automatic Updates: Cloud-based software updates itself automatically. No more annoying update notifications or worrying about whether you have the latest version.

How to Access the Cloud

Getting started with cloud computing is easier than you might think. Here’s how most people access it:

Through Your Web Browser: Simply visit a website like gmail.com or drive.google.com, log in, and you’re using the cloud. No special software required.

Mobile Apps: Download apps like Dropbox, Google Photos, or Microsoft OneDrive to your phone or tablet. These apps connect directly to your cloud storage.

Built-In Features: Your smartphone likely already uses cloud services. iPhones come with iCloud, and Android phones use Google’s cloud services. These often work automatically in the background.

Desktop Applications: Some cloud services offer programs you can install on your computer (like the Dropbox folder on your desktop) that make accessing your cloud files feel just like using folders on your computer.

To get started, simply create a free account with any major cloud service provider, and you’ll typically get several gigabytes of storage at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the cloud really just someone else’s computer?

A. Yes, essentially! “The cloud” is a network of powerful computers (called servers) housed in data centers. These computers are designed to store data and run programs that you can access over the internet.

Q. Is my data safe in the cloud?

A. Cloud providers invest heavily in security, often more than individuals can afford for personal devices. They use encryption, multiple backups, and professional security teams. However, you should still use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for additional protection.

Q. Do I need internet to access my cloud files?

A. Generally, yes. However, many cloud services allow you to download files or mark them as “available offline” so you can access them without an internet connection. Any changes you make will sync once you’re back online.

Q. What happens if the cloud company goes out of business?

A. Reputable cloud providers give you ways to download your data. It’s always a good idea to keep important files backed up in multiple places—following the “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” principle.

Q. How much does cloud storage cost?

A. Many services offer free plans with basic storage (often 5-15 GB). If you need more space, paid plans typically start around five to ten dollars per month for 100 GB to 1 TB of storage.

Q. Can I use multiple cloud services?

A. Absolutely! Many people use Google Drive for documents, iCloud for photos, and Dropbox for work files. You can mix and match based on your needs.

Q. Is the cloud environmentally friendly?

A. Large cloud providers often use their resources more efficiently than individuals running personal computers 24/7. Many are also investing in renewable energy for their data centers, making the cloud increasingly eco-friendly.

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The Bottom Line: Cloud computing has revolutionized how we store information and use technology. It’s convenient, accessible, and increasingly affordable. Whether you’re backing up precious family photos or collaborating on a project with colleagues across the globe, the cloud makes modern digital life easier and more connected. And the best part? You’re probably already using it without even thinking about it

Vibe Coding

Coined by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy, vibe coding is an emerging software development practice that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate functional code from natural language prompts. Instead of meticulously writing code line-by-line, a developer’s primary role shifts to guiding an AI assistant to generate, refine, and debug an application through a conversational process. The core idea is to focus on the desired outcome and let the AI handle the rote tasks of writing the code itself.

Who is it for?

Vibe coding is not just for professional developers. It’s designed to make app building more accessible to those with limited programming experience, enabling even non-coders to create functional software. For professional developers, it acts as a powerful collaborator or “pair programmer,” accelerating development by automating boilerplate and routine coding tasks. This allows experienced developers to focus on higher-level system design, architecture, and code quality.

What can you do with it?

The applications of vibe coding are vast, especially for rapid ideation and prototyping. It’s well-suited for:

• Prototyping and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products): Quickly create a functional prototype to test an idea without spending a lot of time on manual coding.
• Side Projects: Build small, personal tools or applications for specific needs.
• Data Scripts and Automation: Automate repetitive tasks or create small data processing scripts.
• UI/UX Mockups: Generate a visually functional user interface based on a description.
• Learning and Experimentation: Use AI tools to learn new programming languages or frameworks by asking them to explain the code they generate.

How to learn how to do it?

Learning vibe coding is less about mastering syntax and more about mastering communication with AI. Here are some key steps and best practices:

1. Start with the right tools. Popular choices include GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and platforms like Replit and Cursor.
2. Be specific and break down complex tasks. The “garbage in, garbage out” principle applies. Instead of asking the AI to “build a social media app,” start with a specific, manageable task, like “create a Python function that reads a CSV file.”
3. Iterate and refine. The first output may not be perfect. The process is a continuous loop of describing, generating, testing, and refining the code. You guide the AI with feedback like, “That works, but add error handling for when the file is not found.”
4. Always review and verify. Do not blindly trust the AI’s output. Review the code it generates to ensure accuracy, security, and quality. A developer’s ability to read and debug code becomes an even more critical skill.

Is there a future job for it

Vibe coding is not seen as a replacement for human developers, but rather as an amplifier. The future of jobs in this space is likely to involve a shift in roles:

• AI-First Developer: A developer who builds products primarily using modern AI-powered tools.
• Prompt Engineer: A specialist who designs clear and effective prompts to get the best possible output from AI systems.
• Oversight Lead: A professional who validates, debugs, and secures AI-generated codebases.

Vibe coding will likely continue to evolve and create new opportunities for those who adapt and learn to work effectively with AI tools.

Q&A

Q: Can a non-coder truly build a full application with vibe coding?

A: While vibe coding can enable a non-coder to create a functional prototype or a simple app, complex, production-level applications with robust features and security still require the expertise of a professional developer to review, fix, and maintain the codebase.

Q: Does vibe coding make learning traditional programming languages obsolete?

A: No. While vibe coding automates much of the manual coding, a fundamental understanding of programming concepts, data structures, and algorithms is still essential for guiding the AI, debugging, and ensuring the quality and security of the final product.

Q: What are the main downsides of vibe coding?

A: Vibe coding can lead to technical complexity, a lack of architectural structure, and code quality issues. Debugging can be challenging, as the code is dynamically generated. There are also potential security risks if the generated code is not properly vetted.

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