Bookends is a comprehensive and robust reference management software developed by Sonny Software, specifically designed for macOS and iOS users. Here is an overview of what the product does and its key features:
Purpose and Target Audience
Bookends is tailored for managing bibliographies and references, making it an essential tool for students, academics, and professionals who need to organize and cite sources efficiently when writing essays, articles, and other scholarly works.
Key Features
Reference Management
Bookends allows users to manage extensive bibliographies by organizing references, notes, and annotations. It integrates seamlessly with various word processors, including Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Mellel, Nisus Writer Express, OpenOffice.org Writer, and Scrivener, among others.
Internet Searches and Reference Retrieval
The software enables users to conduct internet searches on multiple databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, and arXiv to retrieve references and corresponding PDF files or web pages. This feature is also available in the iOS version, allowing for on-the-go research.
Annotation and Note-Taking
Bookends includes powerful PDF annotation tools that allow users to highlight and annotate documents using their Apple Pencil or other preferred annotation apps. Notes and annotations are organized in a note stream, making it easy to review and recall important information.
Syncing and Collaboration
The software offers both Wi-Fi and cloud syncing capabilities. The Wi-Fi sync feature allows for two-way synchronization between the macOS and iOS versions, enabling users to control what information is exchanged. The cloud sync feature (available in the Pro version) provides access to references and PDFs across all devices and facilitates collaboration by allowing users to share references with colleagues.
Export and Integration
Bookends now includes the ability to export notes and annotations to markdown format, which is particularly useful for users of note-taking apps like Obsidian. This feature enhances the sharing and integration of annotations, making it a significant advantage over other reference management tools.
Automation
The Pro version of Bookends for iOS supports Shortcuts, allowing users to automate tasks such as finding references and formatting citations, which can be later scanned in or included in a bibliography.
Platforms
Bookends is available for both macOS and iOS, ensuring that users can access and manage their references across different devices. The iOS version can be used as a stand-alone reference manager or synchronized with the desktop version.
In summary, Bookends is a versatile and actively developed reference management tool that offers extensive features for searching, organizing, annotating, and sharing references, making it a valuable asset for anyone involved in academic or professional writing.