Smartphone Productivity
They’re called smartphones, but they’re also powerful, handheld computers. They’re cellular telephones, but they also support text messaging, web browsing, photography, video, MP3—and with the explosion of apps—they’ve created a new era of mobile productivity.
1. Action Items
Our working memory is used to store temporary information. Most of us begin to struggle when we try to recall more than four items to pick up at the grocery store. That’s why we make lists. It’s simply easier, faster and more reliable than trying to remember everything. Thankfully there are dozens of smartphone apps for making lists.
A few of most popular are: Toodledo, Remember the Milk, Note 2 Self and Any.DO.
And if you want to venture into task management, consider apps like: OmniFocus, Pocket Informant (iOS) or LifeTopix.
2. Notes
It’s easy to turn your smartphone into a virtual notepad with popular apps like: Evernote, AudioNote and Skitch—an app that enables shapes, arrows, sketches and text annotations to record your ideas.
3. Image Capture
More and more people are using smartphone cameras for business applications like snapping a quick picture of whiteboard content as a meeting concludes.
When the results are less than ideal try a custom-made app like: Image Magick, snapclean.me (an online service) or Whiteboard Capture Pro to help improve your image.
4. Scanner
You can use your smartphone as a scanner as well as a camera with the help of apps like: JotNot, Qipit and ScanBizCards. Image quality can be surprisingly good. Use your mini scanner for business cards, receipts, articles, coupons, handwritten notes, etc. For tracking expenses try Expenditure, MoneyWise or Receipts Pro.
5. Listen, Read, Watch
With MP3 support you can listen to podcasts or audio books on the go. The newest smartphone screens are larger making it a little easier to read text or watch video. When browsing the web, apps like: Pocket and Instapaper provide a way to save URLs you want to view later on a larger display.
6. Security
The smaller and more portable the device, the more it’s subject to loss or theft. Think twice about storing passwords on your smartphone or tablet.
If you must store them onboard, there are apps designed to protect passwords like: mSecure and Password Protection Lite. You only have to remember a master password for access.
And, there are apps designed to help you locate your missing device, whether it’s simply been misplaced somewhere at home: (Phone Finda) or via GPS, if it’s been stolen (Find My iPhone).
7. Email
Smartphones keep us connected to email, but their small screens make reading and composing long messages a challenge. Consider using your smartphone as a “read- only” device. Use it to stay current, then reply when you return to the office. And don’t forget the obvious; you can always bypass email with a call.
8. Info Sharing
Share files and photos between all your computing devices; or with your colleagues via apps like: Dropbox, Bump and Instagram.
Stay informed with feed reader apps or publisher’s apps from sources like: the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, NPR and the Economist.
9. Goals
Setting and tracking goals is an evergreen process. With apps like: The Habit Factor you can record and track your business and personal goals on your mobile device.
And if you want to add an interesting twist, try adding greater accountability with apps like: PeerPressure.
10. Video Conference
With email and texting, it’s easy to stay in touch, but those solutions are less personal than a face-to-face conversation. The next best thing may be a video conference. With a WiFi connection, you can make video calls from your smartphone with apps like: Skype.
11. Refresh
Smartphones and other mobile computing devices make it easier to balance business and life. But staying connected can also become an invasive habit. Just like your smartphone, you need time to recharge. Don’t forget to unplug your computing habit for a few hours every day.
Mobile Printing Solutions
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