GoodNotes app review rant

GoodNotes used to be the gold standard of digital note-taking apps—a classic case of “if it ain't broke, don’t fix it.” Before its AI-heavy overhaul, it was one of the most popular and reliable note-taking tools out there. It was intuitive, well-designed, and honestly, I really enjoyed using it. At one point, I even considered purchasing the full version with a one-time payment.

(*Click here to see my notetaking pages done on GoodNotes)

Then came the “big” update.

They scrapped the one-time purchase model and replaced it with a subscription system. Not only that, but they added multiple confusing version tiers and introduced flashy features like a predictive AI tool and a built-in math solver. While these features might sound impressive on paper, they completely changed the app’s user experience, for the worse.

GoodNotes logo

Instead of feeling upgraded, I felt overwhelmed. There were too many options and versions to choose from, and the once-simple interface became cluttered. My immediate thought? WTF is going on? And more importantly, why isn’t there a lifetime purchase option anymore? The new features felt more like gimmicks than genuine improvements.

Ever since that major update, I haven’t touched the app once. They took something that was simple, efficient, and beautifully designed—and turned it into a bloated mess.

I thought I had found the perfect note-taking app... turns out, I haven’t. 😞

Back to searching for something simple yet efficient—a space where I can freely squeeze out my creative juices without battling unnecessary features and subscriptions.
Until then, let me quietly lament the death of what GoodNotes once was.

So, goodbye GoodNotes. You had potential, but sometimes, less really is more.

RIP GoodNotes.

(Click here to see my notetaking pages done on GoodNotes)

Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson (1963 to 1968)

Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦

Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson (1963 to 1968)

Today, I want to highlight one of my favourite Canadian Prime Ministers—Lester B. Pearson. If his name sounds familiar, it might be because Toronto’s international airport is named after him—and rightfully so!

Pearson's contributions to Canada were not only impactful but also enduring. When people think of Canada today, many associate us with universal healthcare, a strong social safety net, peacekeeping, and our iconic red and white maple leaf flag. Did you know that we can thank Lester B. Pearson for all of this?

Serving as Prime Minister from 1963 to 1968, Pearson led with diplomacy, vision, and pragmatism. His government introduced universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan, and student loan programs—all of which continue to shape the lives of Canadians today. Under his leadership, Canada also officially adopted the Maple Leaf flag in 1965, giving us a bold and unifying national symbol.

But his influence wasn’t just domestic. Before becoming Prime Minister, Pearson earned international recognition as a skilled diplomat. In fact, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the first United Nations peacekeeping force, helping to de-escalate the Suez Crisis. His efforts laid the foundation for Canada’s long-standing reputation as a peacekeeping nation.

Lester B. Pearson was a visionary who modernized Canada and helped shape the compassionate, inclusive identity we’re known for today. On this Canada Day, I’m especially grateful for his legacy.

🍁 Thank you, Mr. Pearson, for helping build the Canada we’re so proud to celebrate today! 🍁