New PDF reader Snap&Read and OrbitNote

The Basics

On Dec 13, we launched OrbitNote as the PDF Reader for new Snap&Read customers only.

For NEW customers after this date, this means:

  1. Snap&Read will automatically direct all PDFs to open in OrbitNote
  2. The Snap&Read toolbar and features will work inside OrbitNote

What is happening with OrbitNote and Snap&Read?

We will be streamlining our product offerings so that the Texthelp family of brands will all use one PDF reader, OrbitNote.

For current Snap&Read customers, you will continue to have access to the same level of supports in PDFs. This move will also allow you the opportunity to access exciting new features with premium OrbitNote.

For current Snap&Read customers, right now nothing will change. You will have the option of using Snap&Read as you always have, but if you would like to begin using OrbitNote now, feel free to toggle it on and see what it is all about! We will begin, over the course of 2023, migrating current Snap&Read users to OrbitNote, with the goal of having all users fully migrated by August 2023.

How the products work

Can Snap&Read and Co:Writer be used inside OrbitNote?

Yes! With this update, the Snap&Read extension can be used inside OrbitNote for features like text to speech, translation, text simplification, color overlay and more. Co:Writer can already be used in OrbitNote for writing support inside annotations and comments.

How do Snap&Read users get started with using OrbitNote?

There are a few ways to get started with opening PDFs in OrbitNote:

  • Click the “PDF Reader” button on the Snap&Read extension
  • Open a PDF first, click the Snap&Read extension and choose “Open PDF in Snap&Read”

In both scenarios, the PDF will then open up in OrbitNote.

Once you’ve done this for the first time and signed into OrbitNote, users can open PDFs directly in OrbitNote via Google Drive, OneDrive, the web, and Learning Management Systems.

New Snap&Read customers

I’m a new Snap&Read customer as of December 13th, What will I see?

Customers that purchase after December 13 will see OrbitNote as their default PDF Reader.

What features will I get as a new customer after December 13th?

New Snap&Read customers will get access to the free OrbitNote features, plus these additional tools:

  • Highlighters (not Collect Highlights)
  • Text comments
  • Voice comments
  • Insert links and images into comments (Google users only)
  • Google Classroom integration
  • Schoology integration
  • Download PDFs with highlights and annotations included

Can I upgrade to premium OrbitNote?

Yes, you can upgrade for additional access to features like annotation tools, OCR scanning, Split and Merge, etc.

Existing Snap&Read customers

I’ve had Snap&Read since before December 13, 2022, what will change for me?

You will not see any changes.

Can they continue to use the Snap&Read PDF Reader?

Yes. Existing customers do not need to transition to OrbitNote at this time. You can continue using Snap&Read PDF Reader for the rest of the school year.

When will existing customers have to transition to OrbitNote?

Yes. The goal is to have everyone moved over to OrbitNote by August 2023. Your representative will be in touch with you to help you through the transition.

Can I try OrbitNote now?

Yes. Existing customers have the ability to switch the PDF Reader setting to OrbitNote if you want to try it out.

When I do switch over to OrbitNote, what features will they get?

If you were a Snap&Read customer before December 13, 2022, you will be grandfathered in with additional features (i.e. annotation tools). This is to ensure that you continue to have access to the PDF annotation tools you have had with Snap&Read, at no additional cost. This includes:

  • Highlighters (not Collect Highlights)
  • Text comments
  • Voice comments
  • Insert links and images into comments (Google users only)
  • Google Classroom integration
  • Schoology integration
  • Download PDFs with annotations included
  • Text annotations
  • Pushpin annotations
  • Insert shapes
  • Freehand drawing
  • Eraser

When I do migrate to OrbitNote, can I upgrade to premium?

Yes, you can upgrade to premium OrbitNote for additional features such as OCR scanning and Split and Merge.

Want to know more about OrbitNote?

New Snap&Read customers after Dec 13

Existing Snap&Read customers from before Dec 13

Snap&Read +
Premium OrbitNote

OrbitNote Features

Highlighters

Text comments

Home Access

Voice comments

Insert links and images into comments (Google users only)

Google Classroom integration

Schoology integration

Download PDF with annotations included

Text annotations

Pushpin annotations

Insert shapes

Freehand drawing

Eraser

Canvas integration

D2L integration

Insert images

Digital signatures

Built-in OCR scanning

Split and Merge