DocAS Updated To Support Dropbox, Comment To Win A Copy
DocAS – Docs organizer, Handwriting, Note Taker... ($2.99) by 9 Square Workshop brings many useful functions together into one application.
DocAS allows the user to take notes, as well as record sound memos. The app imports most common document types and supports PDF annotation. Users may drag and drop documents to customizable folders for easy file management.
The newest version of the app adds Dropbox integration, as well as a variety of other features including an optional palm rest for writing, an object eraser, and support for left-handed users.
You can take notes in customizable notebooks. Once inside the notebook it was easy to write with a stylus, change ink colors, draw, or highlight.
The application offers users 12 shades of ink and four types of paper, including graph and staff paper. Audio memos, text boxes, and sticky notes can be added at the page level of the notebook. Notebook pages can be printed, emailed, or saved as a photo.
Tapping the grid icon in the upper-right displays all of the multiple notebooks' contents. From this grid a user can move files to different folders, or easily delete a particular file.
DocAS also allows a user to import a large number of different file types from a range of sources including iTunes (via computer sync), the iOS photo library, and Google Docs. However, the app will probably only be useful for PDFs or photos from the camera roll because all other files import as read only.
The application also allows users to import and save URLs. This function could be used to mimic a service such as Read It Later.
Annotating PDFs was easy. An annotated PDF can be emailed, printed, or shared via Dropbox.
DocAS offers users a number of icons for file storage including a file folder, mail, books, and notepad. Although these icons appear specific to a particular type of file, there is no difference in the way they work.
It was simple to create a new folder by pressing the plus icon above the row of storage folders, or to delete a folder by touching the trash can.
DocAS handles all of its basic functions well. The UI was more difficult to use when switching between areas of the app. The tutorial is a good starting point, but it wasn't exhaustive.
DocAS offers a great entry-level option for anyone who would like to purchase just one application to handle both note taking and PDF annotation.
Users who already own a PDF annotation app, such as GoodReader, or are already pleased with their note taking app, don't need to switch to DocAS.
We have one copy of DocAS to give away to a lucky reader. To win, please leave a comment on this post (with a valid email address, so we can contact you if you are the winner). The contest ends Friday, July 15, 2011 at 1 p.m. PDT. Good luck!