Evernote for Android 6.0 unveils fresh new look, adds Web Clipper support

Evernote Corporation has released Evernote for Android 6.0, a major new version of its note-taking tool for a platform it says is its fastest-growing.

Version 6 unveils a major new redesign, adds support for the Evernote Web Clipper, allows users to create Quick Notes and promises improved navigation and handwriting support, plus a simpler, cleaner layout for its note-editing tool.

Evernote has positioned this new build at those who are increasingly using their Android device as their primary note-taking platform as opposed to simply using it as an extension of the desktop or web platform. That explains the additional functionality that has been incorporated.

The new build shows off a redesign -- including optimizations specifically for tablet devices, with the promise of major improvements to creating, searching, viewing and editing notes.

Those accessing Evernote on a phone will see a new green floating + button, which makes it possible to quickly create one of six different note types -- from handwriting and audio to camera and text -- with just two taps.

This is accompanied by a new slide-out drawer navigation tool, which is accessed by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen or tapping the menu button in the top left-hand corner. Evernote Business users can switch between personal and business notebooks from here; everyone else can browse by notes, notebooks, tags and shortcuts.

Conspicuous by their absence are -- however -- both Map and Card views, while the PDF viewing and annotation tools have been moved across to companion app Skitch. There’s also still no means of deleting notebooks from within the app.

An Explore Evernote section has also been added to the navigation drawer walking users through features they may not be aware of.

The Android app now also supports web clipping -- users can locate webpages in their browser, then tap the Share button and choose Evernote as the destination. Tap the big elephant button to select a notebook and add tags if required.

Also improved is sharing -- users simply tap the person button at the top of the screen when browsing a notebook to share it with others. Meanwhile, the search screen has been redesigned to improve and simplify searching, with users able to refine results by notebook, tag or location.

Users also gain an improved note-editing tool, with the promise of a cleaner, less cluttered layout. A new camera tool makes it easier to switch modes and handwriting recognition has also been improved, complete with new pinch-to-zoom tool.

The update is rounded off with additional unspecified tweaks and improvements. Evernote for Android 6.0 is available now as a free download for Android users. Also available are Evernote for Windows desktop, Evernote Touch for Windows 8, Evernote for Mac, and Evernote for iPhone & iPad.