iA Writer
iA Writer Review. Among iOS writing apps, it’s almost the best!
iA Writer는 수많은 iOS 글쓰기 앱들 중에서 가장 유명한 앱 중 하나입니다. 그리고 iOS뿐 아니라 맥, 윈도우, 안드로이드까지 다양한 플랫폼으로 나와있습니다. 이 앱은 꽤나 예전부터 있던 앱이고, 실제로 요즘 글쓰기 앱들에는 거의 당연하다시피 탑재된 ‘포커스 모드(Focus Mode)‘(혹은 Spotlight Mode 등으로 현재 글쓰는 부분 이외에는 흐리게 보이는 부분) 및 ‘Distraction-Free‘ 기능을 거의 최초로 만든 앱이며, 긴 시간동안 지속적으로 발전한 앱이라는 것은 분명합니다.
Table of Contents
- iA Writer Review. Among iOS writing apps, it’s almost the best!
- iA Writer has a very clean interface.
- iA Writer is one of the best writing apps on iOS.
- iA Writer has been around for a long time, but perhaps because of that, there’s a feeling that it lacks significant advancements, which is regrettable.
- iA Writer is honestly not what it used to be, but it’s still one of the best writing apps out there.
- iA Writer Summary
iA Writer has a very clean interface.
It’s almost the equivalent of Notepad…
The most noticeable aspect of iA Writer’s interface is its extremely simple screen, resembling a notepad. While many apps highlight a clean interface as a strength, this app was particularly startling, especially when first launching the PC version. However, if you give it a try even for a little, you’ll realize that it’s not just emptiness; it embodies true simplicity. Of course, one might argue that, in this way of thinking, isn’t a notepad also designed for simplicity? While one might entertain such a thought, it should be emphasized that a plain white screen of a notepad and a neat interface are only superficially similar; they are clearly distinct. Indeed, iA Writer has quite a few features beneath its seemingly simple exterior.
iA Writer primarily emphasizes its Markdown functionality, but for those unfamiliar with Markdown, like myself, the app can be used as if Markdown is not in use. Due to its convenience, I used it just like writing a document, and naturally, documents are created in Markdown style. Personally, unless you’re at a programmer’s level, I often wonder why bother with Markdown. While there may be some advantages when writing on mobile, I find this natural approach more appealing. In addition, it typically includes features commonly found in modern writing programs, such as Focus Mode and hashtags.
iA Writer is one of the best writing apps on iOS.
이 앱은, 특히 iOS 버전은 가장 좋은 글쓰기 앱 중 하나라고 생각합니다. 기본적으로 인터페이스 자체가 아이패드에 잘 어울립니다. 사실 애플 노트와 비슷하긴 한데 이 정도면 나름대로의 개성은 갖추고 있다고 하겠습니다. 거기에 이 앱에서 만든 폰트들도 좀 있는 편이고 개인적으로 한글 폰트도 제법 신경써줘서 더 고마운 앱입니다. 이런 한글 폰트 신경써주는 프로그램 정말 몇 개 없습니다… 또 워드나 PDF는 물론이요 워드프레스닷컴과 미디엄 등에 글을 보낼 수 있는 기능들도 있습니다. 그리고 키보드 배열 바꾸면 마크다운 단축키들도 있어서 맘에 듭니다. 이것들 이외에도 은근히 자잘한 기능들도 많습니다.
다만 iA Writer를 사용하다보면 아쉬운 점 역시 있습니다. 대표적으로 iOS에서 아이클라우드 이외의 클라우드를 사용할 때는 많이 귀찮은 편입니다. 저는 드롭박스를 많이 애용하는 편인데요, 이게 드롭박스의 문제인 것 같기는 한데 어째선지 계속 드롭박스를 열어서 무슨 인증과정을 해줘야합니다. 사실 처음에는 다들 인증하지만 그 다음부터는 별 문제없이 사용할 수 있거든요. 제가 못찾은 것인지는 모르겠지만 어째 기본 클라우드를 바꾼다거나 하는 옵션 자체가 없는 듯합니다. 이런 단점이… 그리고 상황마다 조금씩 달라지긴 하지만 동기화가 다소 느린 편이라는 것도 아쉽습니다. 제 경우는 PC → iOS나 PC → 안드로이드 이런 식으로 사용할 때가 많은데요, 동기화가 어떨 때는 빠를 때도 있지만 보통은 느립니다. 개인적으로 많이 아쉽습니다.
In a similar vein, there’s another regrettable aspect, namely, the lack of support for OneDrive. However, since many services subtly lack support for OneDrive, it’s not necessarily a unique downside to iA Writer. Is it because the paid version of OneDrive includes MS Office? Surely, it can’t be for trivial reasons… It’s regrettable. Additionally, when I initially wrote this review, there were indeed fewer apps that supported OneDrive, but now there are quite a few. That’s why this downside becomes more prominent.
Furthermore, for some reason, the supported features vary across devices. It’s not just a matter of platform-specific discrimination; rather, it’s about certain features supported on one platform but not on others. Honestly, I’m not sure why it’s like this… However, I still find it disappointing that features aren’t consistent across platforms, as I believe having consistent features across platforms is beneficial. Interestingly, in the past, iOS wasn’t necessarily superior, and there were features exclusive to Android or Windows. However, recent features seem to be exclusive to iOS and macOS, making it an unavoidable aspect.
iA Writer has been around for a long time, but perhaps because of that, there’s a feeling that it lacks significant advancements, which is regrettable.
However, these days, updates have become somewhat less frequent.
Another downside to iA Writer is that updates, overall, tend to be somewhat delayed. However, it’s worth understanding that, at times, when reading posts on their official blog, it seems like the company is relatively small-scale and may not have ample financial resources. That’s why, when they released the PC version, they used to resort to Kickstarter funding. I also participated, and to be honest, the funding wasn’t a huge success, but since it was originally a small-scale campaign, they just went ahead with it.
The PC version didn’t receive updates for quite some time but was relatively recently updated. As for the Android app, while there seems to be some management, it hasn’t received an update for over a year. It seems that the Android version, perhaps due to being free at the time and facing competition from various similar apps on the Android side, fell behind in terms of development priority. For reference, the features of the Android version are not bad at all. However, to use it properly now, it is paid, and updates are somewhat lagging behind.
최근에 생긴 아쉬운 점이 하나 더 있습니다. 글쓰기 앱들은 지금도 계속 나오는 중이고, 이 앱 역시 기본이 매우 튼튼해서 좋은 앱이긴 합니다만, 사실 이 앱이 발전을 많이 하는 앱은 아닙니다. 비교적 최근에 6버전 업데이트가 되긴 했습니다만 그 기능 자체가 대단한 것은 아니거든요… 제가 요즘 가장 자주 쓰는 UpNote에서는 거의 처음부터 있던 기능이었습니다. 아마 개발인력이 많이 적은 듯합니다. 여담으로 스크리브너도 업데이트가 상당히 뜸하던데… 혹시 본인들 앱에 일종의 한계를 느낀 것일까요? 그래도 또 비교적 빠르게 iA Writer 7버전이 또 업데이트가 되었습니다. 이번 버전도 나름대로 독특한 기능이 추가가 되긴 했습니다.
iA Writer is honestly not what it used to be, but it’s still one of the best writing apps out there.
Personally, I found the PC version to be somewhat lacking in features compared to the iOS or Mac versions, but with the recent updates, I feel it has caught up quite a bit. However, it’s not without its issues. One notable issue is that when switching between tasks using Alt+Tab or similar actions and returning to the app, the initially typed characters disappear. Similar issues are found in many apps, so it’s not unique to this app. It’s a bit bothersome, so it would be great if they could improve it. It’s disappointing.
Originally, I thought about creating a post for each platform like Scrivener does with its versions, but it didn’t seem necessary to that extent. So, I wrote a single post covering all three platforms. iA Writer is not an app that will disappoint users like Scrivener. It is primarily an app where simplicity takes the lead. It’s good on both PC and Android, but especially the iOS version is a highly recommended writing app.
iA Writer Summary
Good point
- The interface is very clean
- Support for multiple platforms
- It’s not a subscription, so you get a lot of bang for your buck (but no discounts)
- It also showcases a classic/original appearance.
Bad point
- Features are a bit lacking compared to recent apps
- 업데이트가 매우 더딤(요즘은 대형 업데이트가 간간이 되는 중)
- Features vary by platform
