5 Apps for Serious Business

Smartphones are sometimes described as pacifiers for adults. That only applies if the devices are treated like toys. Before downloading yet another restaurant finder or bird-themed puzzle game, consider the following apps to help improve productivity.

Manage Your Connections Better

Addieu 

Addieu lets users exchange contact details across multiple networks with one entry. The app stores the contact’s email address, and can friend them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and link with them on Foursquare. The developers of Addieu are working on an update to connect with LinkedIn and other networks, tentatively due this summer.

Addieu records a connection history, along with Foursquare checkins to give each contact context without users having to rely on hastily scribbled notes on the back of business cards to recall where and when they met their new contact. Addieu also allows users send text messages and email a contact directly from the app.

Addieu is available for download at the Apple iTunes App Store for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users. A version for Android device users is in development, though no release date is available at this time. The company has not indicated if it will support BlackBerry or Windows Phone 7.

Price: Free

Host Mobile Meetings

Campfire 

Campfire is a web-based service that lets users chat as a group across mobile devices, laptops, and desktop computers. Users can connect through web browsers or with the app available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. An Android-based client called Campyre is also available.

What makes this service unique is that Campfire allows users to share files such as images and documents, as well as view YouTube videos, within the app’s IM-style chat room. Each service plan includes a different amount of file storage capacity.

For an additional fee, Campfire users have access to a conference call feature. Available conference call minutes are based on the monthly service plan.

Additional third-party apps such as SyncSpace for the iPad are available, for additional cost, that let users create and share sketches that can be converted into PDF or image files, such as PNG, and monitor multiple chat groups in conjunction with Campfire. The third-party apps are not endorsed by 37signals, Campfire’s designers.

Price: Service plans range from free for a group with up to four chatters to $99 per month for a group with up to 100 chatters. A free 30-day free trial is available for new users.

Keep Track of Expenses on the Go

ProOnGo 

When a company has employees onthe- go, the ProOnGo app can track mileage, billable hours, and other expenses. Users can take photos of their receipts to automatically include the transaction in expenses. The smartphone’s GPS can detect reimbursable miles. American Express charges can also be linked with the solution to record expenses. A manager or business owner can view employee expenses as they are reported and choose to approve or deny the expense.

What makes this service unique is that campfire allows users to share files such as images and documents, as well as to view Youtube videos, within the app’s im-sty le chat room.

Custom expense reports can also be created with the app. The app is available for Android, Apple iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile smartphones and tablets.

Price: Rates range from $27 per month for the lite package, which allows up to five users, to $290 per month for the premium package, which allows up to 100 users, and includes accounting systems integration consultation and annual DVD backups. All plans include a 30-day free trial period.

Access Your Secure Network

Rover Retriever 

Rover Retriever lets users access secure files and documents on company servers through smartphones and tablets. The app is available for Android and Apple iOS devices and requires integration with the company’s server network.

Retriever can fetch files, spreadsheets, and presentations from a secure network for use on a mobile device. That can include accessing databases, customer information, and inventory records. When mobile users update information, the changes are transmitted back to company servers.

Retriever can also integrate with Microsoft SharePoint. Users can also generate custom code to suit their needs. Other features include task lists, a group calendar, and a discussion thread shared by users.

Pricing: The subscription per user costs less than $300 per year.

Sort Out Your Travel Plans

TripIt 

TripIt is a travel organizer that lets users access their reservations for air, lodgings, dining, and entertainment. The app uses information from confirmation emails to create itineraries that can be shared with others. Maps and directions to destinations

for the trip can also be added with app.

TripIt is available for Android and Blackberry phones and Apple’s iPhone and iPad.

For an additional fee, the TripIt Pro servicemonitors and sends alerts to the user’s phone when flights are delayed or gates

change. TripIt Pro also allows users to find alternate flights, track frequent flier points,