9 iOS, Android Apps to Boost Productivity
Smartphones might be distracting, but they can also help get things done. Check out our picks for mobile productivity apps.
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It's hard to imagine that not so long ago, the most advanced digital tools for productivity were clunky desktop PCs. Now, it seems there is a product, app or service for anything a modern employee could need or want to get things done.
Employee habits and preferences have changed along with technology. No longer are workers tethered to their desks, as the rise of mobile devices has enabled them to work from anywhere in the world. Cloud technology lets them access their documents no matter which device is at hand.
Tech companies have recognized the shift in employee preferences and are working to meet their needs. Microsoft, the dominant force in digital productivity, has narrowed its focus on accommodating modern workers. Its upcoming Windows 10 platform will come in a variety of editions, three of which are optimized for business, and changes to its Office suite will enable mobile productivity.
[ Want to see what more options? Read: 8 Microsoft Office Alternatives ]
On a wearable level, Apple is working to meet the needs of mobile employees with its recently released Apple Watch. While the Watch certainly has benefits for consumers, there are more than a few perks available for enterprise users, whether they use productivity apps or frequently travel.
There are plenty of productivity apps on the market, and it can be overwhelming to choose which few will take up space on your smartphone. We've narrowed down the vast pool of offerings to a select few that can help you throughout the workday. Take a look at our picks, and if we missed one of your favorites, let us know in the comments section below.
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The Scannable app from Evernote is the answer to your drawer stuffed with business cards, contracts, and other important paper documents. It scans images, automatically adjusts for readability, and enables you to export them as PDF or JPEG files to Evernote and other apps.
Scannable also turns business cards into phone contacts by recognizing the person's name and extracting his or her information and photo from LinkedIn. It can be downloaded for free on iOS.
Catchy name aside, Remember the Milk is a handy app for remembering much more than groceries. You can add different tasks on your to-do list and organize them according to due dates, categorized lists, time estimates, and other priorities. If you're on the go, you can see which tasks are in the vicinity and efficiently complete your list. The app works across Gmail, Outlook, iCal, Twitter, and Google Calendar. It provides event reminders via text or email. If you want to store your lists for later access, Remember the Milk saves tasks and notes to its online service of the same name. It's available on both iOS and Android.
"If This, Then That" (IFTTT) is the key to automating your digital life. While simple, it's a tool to stay organized and, as its website says, "put the Internet to work for you." The app enables users to build "recipes," or programs, that contain a series of actions that connect to complete a series of automated tasks.
There are two types of recipes to build on IFTTT: "If" recipes and "Do" recipes. "If" recipes run in the background and automatically perform pre-programmed actions across apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox, and Gmail. The idea is if you perform one action, a series of actions will automatically follow -- or, "if this, then that." For example, if you favorite a Tweet, then you automatically save it to Evernote, or if you post a picture on Instagram, then you save the photo to Dropbox.
"Do" recipes let you create a personalized Button, Camera, or Notepad. (Note: All are available as separate apps.) The idea is to give users a button that can do (almost) anything they want. For example, in Do Camera, images are associated with actions. Just took a photo? Use the button to email it to a friend, save it to Evernote, or upload to Facebook.
All Do and If apps are available on iOS and Android.
It seems like we have thousands of unique passwords to keep track of, all complex for security reasons. Lastpass is a password manager that helps generate and store strong passwords. The app secures your information with multifactor authentication, AES 256-bit encryption, and local-only encryption. It's available on iOS and Android for an annual fee of $12. You'll need the full paid version for mobile use.
How many times have you told someone, "I'll be in touch," but later neglected to follow up? Contactually serves to help you stay in contact with peers, prospects, mentors, new acquaintances, and former coworkers. Users separate their contacts into distinct "buckets" and record how often they want to communicate with the people in each group. The app keeps track of your interactions, lets you know how long it has been since you spoke with certain people, and creates follow-ups for you. Contactually, which also lets you save templates for holiday greetings and congratulatory notes, can be a huge asset to your personal life by helping you keep in touch with family and friends. At $30 a month for the most basic plan, it's pricey, but could prove well worth the money if it helps you nurture strong working relationships. Contactually works across Gmail, Exchange, iOS and Android.
The Pomodoro Timer app is inspired by the Pomodoro Technique, a method of time management that separates working time into 25-minute intervals, punctuated by short breaks. The idea behind the intervals (otherwise known as "pomodori" or the Italian plural of "tomato") is that frequent breaks can boost mental efficiency. Why tomato, might you ask? The methodology derives its name from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Francesco Cirillo, creator of the technique, used as a student.
The Pomodoro Timer lets you implement this time-management strategy. After downloading, you decide on a task to complete, set the timer to 25 minutes, work until the bell rings, and take a short (3-5 minute) break. For every four "pomodori" you take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. The app lets you set a target number of intervals per day, customize the length of working periods and breaks, and choose an alarm sound. It's available for Mac and iOS.
After a business trip, the last thing you want to do is log your expenses. Expensify simplifies things by helping you track expenses on the go. Simply take a picture of a receipt, and the app will analyze it, identify relevant details, and store the image and information into your phone. Other features include the ability to track mileage and access data via the Expensify online app. It's available on iOS and Android.
Certainly not for slackers, the Slack app provides a single place for teams to communicate. It supports real-time messaging, file sharing, and one-on-one and group chats so that team members can share videos, images, and other files. It also integrates with tools such as Asana, Dropbox, Google+ Hangouts, and Twitter. You can also set notifications for new messages to appear across desktop, email, and mobile devices. It's available on both iOS and Android.
Need a dose of inspiration or advice? Audvisor gives you audio words of wisdom from a range of experts in dozens of topics including career advancement, innovation, marketing, and leadership. Each chunk of advice comes from a well-respected author, speaker, or leader, and none lasts for longer than three seconds. It's a quality pick-me-up for stressful situations or times of indecision. The app is available on both iOS and Android.
Need a dose of inspiration or advice? Audvisor gives you audio words of wisdom from a range of experts in dozens of topics including career advancement, innovation, marketing, and leadership. Each chunk of advice comes from a well-respected author, speaker, or leader, and none lasts for longer than three seconds. It's a quality pick-me-up for stressful situations or times of indecision. The app is available on both iOS and Android.
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