One of Apple’s marketing campaigns in recent years popularized the phrase “There’s an app for that.” And while the phrase heralded the release of the iPhone 3GS, it rings equally, if not even more true today than it did then. Apps can be found for just about anything, and productivity apps are certainly no exception. Below are a few mobile productivity apps that our team has found most useful.
Native iOS Apps
Clint K. from the Cranberry store use the native iOS applications to be more productive. He uses Calendar, Clock, Notes, and Maps. Calendar's alerts remind him of things he'd otherwise forget. Clock wakes him up on time, or tells him how fast his computer boots up in the service department via stopwatch. Or how long since he left his clothes in the dryer at the laundromat. Maps helps him get home from the laundromat, or anywhere else he may need to be. Notes mean he never needs to write a number or name or reminder in pen on his hand ever again. The old system was reliable, but messy.
Apps for presentations
Greg G. from our Cranberry service team uses mluPresenter, an easy to use app, that can control a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation from an iOS device.Matthew E. from the Cranberry store uses Keynote Remote when teaching MacOutfitters classes. It allows him to be more actively involved in the presentation instead of being hidden behind the computer. He also uses Mobile Mouse every day. It turns his iPhone into a trackpad style control device for his iMac at home. This allows him to control his computer and navigate without having to move his keyboard and mouse.
Apps to stay in sync
Brennan T. from our Cranberry store, recommends two different mobile productivity apps. He uses iTeleport to remotely access his home computer, and Siri Assistant which uses voice activation software to locate businesses or book reservations.
Christie H, from our Doylestown store, likes Evernote. Evernote is an application that can be put on any iOS mobile device, along with your computer (provided it's running at least 10.6.6) as well. She uses it as a way to keep all of her thoughts, ideas, inclinations, and inspirations readily available no matter where she is. If she sees something she wants to look into or buy, she can take a picture of it and check it out later. If there is an idea she doesn’t want to forget, she can write it down in Evernote and can then access the information from any iOS device, or a home computer. In addition, when she makes a note on one device, Evernote will sync everything online so it will show up on anything else that includes Evernote. And to top it all off, it's also free!
Apps for on the go
Stan M. from our Doylestown store likes the Flixster app to check out new movie reviews and find show times at different theaters.
Don K. from our Cranberry store, has two favorite apps for productivity. He likes to use TipStar for figuring out tips at a restaurant, which not only takes into account the percentage of the bill, but also level of service, party amount, etc. Then, once Don goes home he loves the Xfinity Mobile app from Comcast. While it only works if you have both Comcast and their DVR service, it allows you to look at program guides and schedule DVR recordings from your iPad or iPhone. You can also use it as a remote to change channels.
While Apple products have long since been lauded for their ease of use, creative potential, and catchy looks, their ability to help their users become more productive has been some what unheralded. However with a constantly multiplying user base, the productivity prowess of Apple’s iOS devices is sure to become another popular reason to invest in Apple for not only traditional computers, but for mobile computing needs as well.
