3 productivity Mobile Apps you can’t do without

Realising the full potential of what the app store has to offer can help you be more productive, and will replace the need for endless emails, traditional diaries and the little scraps of paper that seem to accumulate every time you misplace your notepad.

Google Calendar

There are a few very good calendar apps available, but for me Google calendar comes out on top. It’s not only visually appealing with it’s bold colour scheme and clean presentation but also has a multitude of nifty features that link into other popular Google services.

When you enter a new appointment, you just type “meeting with Claire at Starbucks” and Google maps will provide you with directions and travel times before the event, as well as contact details for the person you’re meeting so they are to conveniently to hand if you need them.

You can choose to be reminded of the appointment as far in advance as you need via a notification or email. The calendar of course syncs with multiple devices so you can use it on your desktop, phone or tablet.

Asana

This free task and project management app is packed full of features that allow you to keep track of and manage the tasks your team are working on wherever you are.

You can create projects, split them into tasks assigned to specific people, with deadlines clearly marked. Anyone working on the task can attach files, or add notes so other team members can see progress.

Team members can then sort their assigned tasks into things to do ‘today’, ‘upcoming’ and ‘later’ to make prioritisation straightforward. It is usable as a mobile app and a web app and is updated instantly so can be used by all team members whether they are working remotely or in the office.

Oh, and as an added bonus, if you complete a lot of tasks in one day and are very productive a Unicorn flies across the screen to say well done!

Bamboo Paper

This app won’t be for everyone, but is handy if you like to do hand written notes and annotations or have a habit of scribbling diagrams on napkins to get your point across.

The free version lets you draw on the touch screen using a variety of colours and effects, and also import pictures and documents so you can add your own annotations.

You can create multiple note pads to keep your scribbles organised however you like and if you really like it, the paid version of the app adds extra artistic tools, more colours and some other cool features.

In practise, the app definitely requires a stylus, however you don’t need to spend a fortune on bamboos specially designed stylus. You can pick up any micro cloth tipped stylus for a couple of quid.