catch_logoNotetaking and archiving service Catch Notes has announced that it will be shutting down service on August 30. The service is providing current users instructions on how to obtain stored documents from its server in the form of ZIP or CSV downloads, and is also optimizing the files for use in other note-taking services such as Evernote and Simplenote.

Catch has made the difficult decision to take the company in a different direction. As such, we will be terminating service next month. We value our users and have greatly enjoyed providing Catch to millions of people over the last several years, but it is time for us to move on.

Catch Notes [Direct Link] originally launched in February 2010 and earned various accolades, including being featured on Apple's "New and Noteworthy" list for apps. The app currently holds a combined four star rating across all versions in the App Store, although the most recent version released just a few days ago has been hit with poor reviews due to crashing issues.

Top Rated Comments

'Arry Avatar
126 months ago
Another day, another proprietary service announces it won't be taking care of your life any more.

When will we learn?

The only sustainable future is in standards-based services that allow you to transfer all data and settings in a user-portable package to another provider, whether in the cloud or on your own machine.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
'Arry Avatar
126 months ago
Sounds perfectly fine to me, or am I missing something?
Catch users got lucky that their provider is making this available. There is nothing in the T&Cs of these companies to guarantee that they would do this in the event of the service being shut down. Even if they do make some provision, it may not be as compatible with other services as you'd like.

This case is just another reminder that these services are provided only as long as they are profitable to the owner, and there's very little you can do to protect the investment of time you've put into your data.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baumi Avatar
126 months ago
Another day, another proprietary service announces it won't be taking care of your life any more.

When will we learn?

The only sustainable future is in standards-based services that allow you to transfer all data and settings in a user-portable package to another provider, whether in the cloud or on your own machine.

From the article:

The service is providing current users instructions on how to obtain stored documents from its server in the form of ZIP or CSV downloads, and is also optimizing the files for use in other note-taking services such as Evernote and Simplenote.

Sounds perfectly fine to me, or am I missing something?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Accipiter Avatar
126 months ago
Then it would seem to be that they're terminating their service, not suspending it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theBB Avatar
126 months ago
The only sustainable future is in standards-based services that allow you to transfer all data and settings in a user-portable package to another provider, whether in the cloud or on your own machine.
I definitely agree.

I just started using Catch a few weeks ago. It had the best UI among all the apps I looked into and it gave me the option of accessing my notes through the web for compatibility across different platforms even if I'd need that infrequently. I am basically looking for something as simple as Apple's Notes app, but with folders and the ability to attach multiple pictures to each note.

Catch seemed the best app for my purposes with only one caveat. I wanted the ability to export my data, in addition to emailing each note one by one. Their website was silent on this capability, so I only added a few notes and did not sign up for their paid service. (Way too expensive for casual use anyways. I could pay $5 a year, but $5 a month is too much.) I am sure I was not the only one who was reluctant to use such an app backed by a small developer with uncertain financial resources. They could have improved their chances in the marketplace if they looked less proprietary.

Even now with their ZIP option, it is not clear to me whether each note in a space will come out as a nice rtf file which has universal support or as a bunch of pictures for each attached picture along with one txt file for the typed portions. It is also not clear whether the app would keep on working with my locally saved notes even if the syncing and web interface will obviously be gone at the end of the month. In any case, I gotta find another nice app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Razeus Avatar
126 months ago
I heard of this news a few days ago. Too bad for them. I really liked that app. Was going to use it to replace Evernote
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....