Now I'm now using the iPhone as my a main way to capture text. I've become so used to to typing away on a small touchscreen keyboard, that it is now the quickest way for me to type. I can bash out 750 words pretty easily on the small keyboard. There are always a few typos, but I'd rather just keep typing and go back and fix these later. There is something compelling about being able to quickly jot down a stream of consciousness in no time. It would be interesting to do a speed test on my typing as I think I'm getting to the point where I can draft faster on the iPhone that a full size keyboard.
This article was entirely composed on an iPhone.
**I love the portability.** I'm currently typing this while lying on a sofa, chilling out. There is something about not sitting at a desk, that helps free up my mind to just type away. I can capture and edit an article anywhere any time. My phone is with me 24/7. It is always charged. Always switched on, within two clicks I can start typing away. Compare this to going and getting my laptop, getting sat somewhere comfortable, firing it up, then finally getting to type text. It takes me around 30 minutes to capture 750 words. Who has time for that? Think of the amount of time you are sat with your phone. On the train, at the airport, waiting for someone or something... It doesn't take many of these occasions in a day to add up.
The iPhone also performs brilliantly outdoors in sunlight. The screen is clear bright and the text is easy to read. This is more than I can say for any laptop I've ever used, including my latest high end MacBook Pro. This means I can create text in places that may give more inspiration to my writing. Just writing in the garden opens up my mind a little bit. Writing can take place in inspiring places. Beaches, mountains, parks, cafes, museums, anywhere. When travelling, obviously it's a great tool to capture thoughts and notes. It's small and doesn't attract attention like whipping out a laptop would. It is so perfect on a flight. I've tried so many times to get the laptop out to get some work done. Elbows get in the way. Drinks get spilt and food gets messy. Then You have the pain of storing it under your feet for the rest of the flight.
**I just can't get on with tablets for text.** I've tried my mini tablet to take text notes. Perhaps I need more practise, but I find the device way too big for any serious note taking. I've tried both landscape and portrait orientation, but I just find it too clunky. The iPhone just feels about the right size for a handheld keyboard. As phones inevitably get bigger (typing this on an iPhone 6) perhaps I will find it easier to type on bigger devices.
**Battery life.** Put an iPhone into airplane mode and just use it for typing text, and it will probably stay awake longer than you will. It's also pretty easy to carry one of those little battery backup devices, which can be a bit of a lifesaver.
**Finally distraction free.** Ever tried writing some long form text on a laptop and found yourself distracted? I know phones can be distracting too. All sorts of buzzing and notifications. But for me personally I find when typing away on an app, I'm less likely to wander off to Facebook. This is because on the small screen of a phone, there is only room for one app open. This gives me focus. Right now I'm typing this on a text editor and I can't see a web browser open anywhere on the screen. Clearly you can make a desktop app full screen, and I use this approach sometimes. However there is something very simple about a singe dedicated app open on a phone. You may have gathered, I like simplicity.
**Covert note taking.** This isn't as sinister as it sounds. But is probably the most compelling thing about writing on the iPhone. I like the fact that I can be typing out articles or notes in all situations. People are so used to people playing with their phones, that using your phone to type up a few text notes at anytime is not seen as unusual. If someone does something amusing, gives a great quote, or you just need to remember their name, whipping out your phone is no problem. Get out a notebook and pen and you are going to get some funny looks.
So there are a raft of reasons to make the iPhone your primary tool for capturing text. I mainly use it for personal note taking and long articles, but based on my thoughts above perhaps I should ditch the MacBook and go with the phone more often!
