9 Of The Best Apps For Productivity
Any.Do
Any.Do goes above and beyond your phone’s to-do list. With a unique take on task management, the slick calendar feature allows you to coordinate tasks across multiple platforms, including Alexa and Slack. The location-based reminder tool is a genius touch – prompting you to pick up milk when you walk past the supermarket and check the post when you get home – as is the ability to add tasks via voice command.
BEST FOR: Busy dads managing multiple schedules
Available for free on iOS and Android
Bear Focus Timer
Can’t concentrate? Always reaching for your phone? Bear Focus Timer (BFT) is well worth the download. By carving up your day into work/break sprints, this clever timer only runs when your phone is face down, effectively putting it out of reach. The app can also provide you with white noise effects to keep unwanted interruptions at bay.
BEST FOR: The easily distracted
Available on iOS and Android, £1.19
Evernote
If you’re the kind of person who spreads their to-do lists across legions of paper scraps, Evernote is your friend. This hugely popular app will scan and collate handwritten notes and scribbles, as well as images, audio notes and bookmarked web pages – keeping everything in one central system. You’ll never lose those important notes again.
BEST FOR: Creative types
Available for free on iOS and Android
Expensify
If Friday afternoons spent logging your expenses in a spreadsheet are getting you down, Expensify will revolutionise the way you approach your finances. Use your phone’s camera to scan and photograph receipts; the app will record, report and submit the sums for you. It will also colour-code receipts and can track personal spending too.
BEST FOR: Budgeting
Available for free on iOS and Android
Flowdock
Built for teams that work remotely, Flowdock is a supercharged WhatsApp for a slicker workforce. Chat to your team in real time, and upload and share files, whether you’re at your desk or on the go. The fuss-free interface makes it easy to manage multiple conversations and will keep your team focused on the job at hand.
BEST FOR: Working out of the office
Available for free on iOS and Android
Lumosity
A brain-training programme designed by neuroscientists to improve memory, cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills, Lumosity is used by millions of professionals worldwide. Through an initial brain ‘fitness’ test, the app will target weak spots, including those linked to ADHD, flexibility, speed and language. Studies have shown real results after just ten weeks of use.
BEST FOR: Brain training
Available for free on iOS and Android
MYND
Developed by Andy Murray’s former psychologist, this game-changing platform provides research-based, cutting-edge podcasts on topics relating to performance and health. Subjects include: building confidence and happiness; dealing with stress and depression; and developing mental resilience. A separate section dedicated to young adults explores topics like failure and self-sabotage.
BEST FOR: Personal development
Available for free on iOS only
If you’re constantly opening browser tabs and adding bookmarks you’ll never find again, Pocket will transform the way you absorb content. Acting as a central storage space, it holds articles and videos for easy viewing later, keeping tabs on everything you find around the web. It can also send articles to another user’s Pocket, or share them directly via social media.
BEST FOR: Keen readers
Available for free on iOS and Android
TripIt
A must-have app for frequent flyers, TripIt is like a PA in your pocket. Gathering journey itineraries in one place, this intelligent app will tell you when it’s time to check-in for your flight and when to set your alarm to head off to the airport. Jetsetters should consider upgrading to TripIt Pro, which offers real-time flight alerts, seat tracking, gate information and more.
BEST FOR: Business travellers
Available for free on iOS and Android
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