There's an App for That | Blog Post

We are constantly connected to our phones; our phones are right by our side when we eat, when we sleep, and even when we’re on our way to the bathroom. Application developers know how much time you're spending looking at your tiny screen, and you can be sure they're taking advantage of it. The good news is that there is now an app for just about anything you need to do to be more productive, especially at work. Check out these seven apps that might make your day go a little smoother:

Mailtracker: You sent that email four hours ago.  Did Bob actually read it yet? Wonder no more.  Mailtracker syncs with your iPhone’s mailbox to let you know when and where Bob reads your email.

Focus Lock: The constant Facebook notifications are irresistible.  But, Focus Lock won’t let you see how many likes your most recent post received until after the timer runs out.  This Android application allows you to temporarily block the applications you deem distracting.

ETA: Are you always sneaking into meetings five minutes late?  ETA helps you get to meetings on time.  If you’re traveling across town to get somewhere, this iPhone app lets you know how long it will take you to travel to your meeting based on current traffic conditions.  Never arrive late again.

Evernote: Skip the sticky notes and notepads.  This app allows you to make to-do lists and tasks right on your phone.  Then, it syncs with all of your other devices so you always know what needs to happen next.

Full: Your schedule is full… often too full to remember to take care of you.  The iOS app, Full, helps you make time for the stuff you need to do for you, like call your mother, read a novel or go for a run. It makes a good work-life balance easier to obtain.

IFTTT: What’s the weather going to be like today? Did you remember to pay the rent this month? These questions that used to interfere with your thought process at work will no longer need answers.  With the iOS app, IFTTT, you can schedule alerts, like “pay the rent,” so you can focus on the important stuff without the little stuff falling through the cracks.

Entrain: If you travel for work and find jet-lag cuts down on your valuable work hours, you’re not alone.  So, mathematicians at the University of Michigan developed the Entrain app to shortcut jet-lag recovery.  The app provides you with a schedule of when you should expose yourself to light and when you should expose yourself to darkness, which will help regulate your circadian rhythms. Say goodbye to jet-lag sooner.

These apps are just the beginning of what our phones can do to make us more productive at work. So, it’s safe to say, if you need to get something done, there’s an app for that.