I’m always looking for apps that enhance my life and productivity. A family member recently purchased a new iPhone and asked for my top app recommendations. Here are five, in no particular order:
1. LastPass [Link]
One master password (or touch ID) unlocks all other passwords, eliminating the need for frequent password resetting. Available both as a mobile app or Chrome extension, LastPass seamlessly and securely syncs across devices. My LastPass ‘vault’ contains overs 125 of my passwords, and with features like autofill and auto-login, my work is never slowed by manual password entry.
2. Pocket [Link]
Everyday I see dozens of things online I don’t have time to read or view in the moment. With Pocket I can save those news articles, blog posts, talks, or tutorials for later viewing, even if offline. Pocket allows me to organize things I’ve saved with tags and eliminates the need for me to send links to myself via email or bookmark web pages. Pocket’s recommendation algorithm (optimized based on the content saved) is spot-on and delivers interesting and relevant articles for me to consume on demand.
3. Moment [Link]
As useful as having a computer in your pocket can be, it’s important to be aware of your device usage and ‘screen time.’ Moment allows me to track how much I use my phone or tablet each day automatically. The ‘insight’ tab provides useful metrics like minutes of screen time, percent of waking life on phone, and the number of pickups by day and week. Moment helps ensure my device usage remains within a healthful limit.
4. Mint [Link]
The king of the personal finance apps, Mint aggregates all of your financial accounts and allows you to manage your money from one place. Rather than check my bank, credit card, and investment accounts separately, Mint displays my nine account balances in near real-time. I’m also able to view my credit score, receive bill reminders, create budgets by category, and set financial goals. Mint is an essential for the financially-savvy.
5. Google Keep [Link]
Google Keep is hand’s down my go-to productivity and note-keeping app, allowing me to capture and record any thought or plan tasks. It’s really an extension of my brain. With features like check-markable boxes for to-do lists and searchable note archives, Keep is an app I interact with dozens of times a day across my devices.
What apps do you love?
