There is no doubt that smartphones are an extension of us, but not everyone uses this element to their advantage. Apps are an excellent way to save time performing tasks.
In a world that doesn’t stop for even a second, it is essential to know how to manage time appropriately. Not only to improve professional performances, but especially to give us time to breathe and enjoy leisure, after work, during weekends and other occasions.
A good way to do this is by using technologies as allies. At the same time that apps on cell phones and software on computers make us “waste” time, they can also be a helping hand, helping us to increase our productivity and have more free time.
With the aim of helping those looking for the best app options to optimize everyday tasks, we have created a list of 10 names. They cover different niches, but they all have one thing in common: the practicality they bring to activities, from the simplest to the most complex.
1 Google Keep
The first of two apps developed by the giant Google on the list, Keep is an application aimed at creating, saving and sharing notes. Instead of creating large documents, which takes time and is not always possible on a smartphone, users create small notes in the app.
Even better, it can be synced with Google Drive (which we’ll talk about in a later section), meaning you can access your notes anywhere, from within the app. The idea is to help you during everyday tasks, when we need to write something down quickly and efficiently.
2 Smallpdf
Smallpdf is an application for converting PDF to Word that exists in two main forms: as an app for smartphones in the Android and iOS operating system stores; and as a website that can be accessed by browsers. In both cases, its function is the same: assisting in editing documents.
In addition to converting PDF to Word, it also performs the reverse path, from Word to PDF. The app has free tools for joining, extracting, deleting pages, protecting and unprotecting, reading, compressing, signing and many others. For those who work with PDF, the app is highly recommended.
3 Zoom
In a post-pandemic world, it is impossible to talk about apps that optimize productivity without mentioning the one that marked the period of social isolation: Zoom! The app has a very simple objective: to allow video conferences (between two or more individuals) in a professional context.
Video calls can be made directly from your smartphone, as long as there is a stable internet connection. There are free and paid options, with different functions, depending on the needs of each individual. Although there is a competitor in the form of Google Meets, Zoom comes out ahead.
4 Uber
Most Brazilians use public transport to get around the city, but we don’t always have time to wait for the bus or subway. In these situations, the Uber app comes in handy, considering its prevalence in Brazil and the ease of finding drivers on the spot.
5 – DuolingoOf course, there are issues like dynamic fares and the possibility of not finding a ride right away, but these situations are relatively rare. Alternatives to Uber, such as 99 and BlaBlaCar, exist, but they do not have as large a driver base as the most popular app.
5 Duolingo
Duolingo is an app that teaches languages, famous for its mascot, a little green owl that has gained meme status on social media. What makes this an interesting application for those who want to optimize their day-to-day productivity is the way language lessons are conducted on the platform.
The lessons are not long, which means they can be done in between work or other commitments. The idea is to add a second (or third! or fourth!) language to your skills, so that you have better chances in the highly competitive job market.
6 Google Drive
The second (and last) app developed by Google, Google Drive is well known to most Brazilians. It is a cloud storage system where users upload files in multiple formats and can then access them from another device, no matter where they are.
The Google Drive app is perfectly synchronizable with Google Keep and other versions of it on computers. This means that when you edit a document through the app, the changes are immediately visible on all other devices where files have been previously saved.
7 WhatsApp
Right away, you might be asking yourself: “huh, isn’t WhatsApp one of the biggest time consumers for those who use apps?” and the answer to that question is: it depends. Just like any other digital tool, it is the way we use it that defines the potential of verdinho.
For those who own companies, there is even WhatsApp Business, a version of the application with functions specific to business management. As long as you keep your groups and contacts organized and only respond to the essentials, WhatsApp will optimize your day-to-day productivity.
8ChatGPT
Artificial intelligence has already taken over most of the tasks performed in digital media, so the solution is not to try to fight them, but to observe what they can do for us. One example is ChatGPT, a system with a website and app that delivers a “chat bot” capable of performing tasks.
Naturally, it is not recommended that you use ChatGPT to write for you, but it can be of great help when it comes to inspiration. When asking for “email for candidates for a selection process”, for example, the app provides a structure that can be adapted and makes writing the email easier.
9 YouTube
No matter what problem you are facing on a daily basis, the chances are high that someone in the world has made a video helping those who are experiencing the situation. Imagine you need to deal with software you’ve never used at work: how can you master the idea quickly?
YouTube is the answer! From short and direct videos from interesting channels, almost any task can be performed for the first time, which is indispensable in our daily lives. Of course, for this to be positive for productivity, you cannot be distracted by other types of videos, ok?
10 Pokemon Go
To close the list, we couldn’t leave out at least one leisure-oriented application. Work is extremely important, but there is also a lot of value in having fun in your everyday life. When we have a “lighter head”, we are able to perform professional tasks in a more optimized way.
Pokémon Go is an interesting alternative as it considers routes we take on a daily basis. As we move around the city, we have the chance to capture virtual monsters, battle other “trainers”, hatch eggs and carry out a series of other fun and practical activities.
And these are just some of the app options to optimize productivity. Each daily life (whether professional or personal) is unique and has distinct and specific needs, which requires equally distinct and specific applications. The important thing is that you always use these tools to your advantage!
