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Several months ago, I bought an iPad, and then an iPhone. At the time I asked friends what apps they liked and promised I would blog about it. So here we go.
When I first bought my iPad I immediately spent a few hours downloading a ton of apps. I started with some of the ones that were suggested. Then I went to the top app lists in the app store. If it looked interesting and it was free, I didn't think twice. If it was less than $3, same. My point here is I saw downloading free and cheap apps sort of like taking pictures with a digital camera: Shoot as much as possible and delete the crap later.
So now for the highlights.
I probably use this five times a week. It allows you to jot notes and easily sync them on all different platforms (for me iPhone, iPad, and any computer with web access). Among other things, I keep blog ideas and drafts on Evernote.
I got the Week Cal app because I didn’t like the iPhone calendar. I still prefer the calendar on Outlook to this app (because of the layout) but it does the job.
Instapaper is a cool app that allows you to save the text of any web page for further reading on your iPhone or iPad. I haven't used this as much lately but I still do on occasion. Like everyone, I sometimes stumble on article that I don't want to read in the middle of the day. This app allows you to save it to read on a PDA with one or two clicks.
Opentable is something I use from my PC once or twice a week to make reservations at restaurants. (I find 80 to 90 percent of the places I go to take them.) Once in a while, when I am not in the office and want to make reservations on the spot, the app is convenient.
I’m probably on Facebook a minimum of three times per day. I would say my posts are mostly personal, but many of my connections are friends that I have a business relationship with. I am slowly starting to use my personal Twitter account (mostly via iPhone app) lately.
We use Windows Live Messenger in the office and about once a week I use it on the iPhone when I need to go back and forth with my team and can't talk.
Documents To Go allows me to edit Microsoft Office files. I have only used it a handful of times as editing anything on an iPhone is painful because of the size of the screen. But when I really need to edit a file outside of the office, it has been a lifesaver.
Dragon is a free dictation tool that makes it easy to copy and paste anything you say into any file including email. I wish I was using it more as it is quite accurate but I have this unfounded fear of looking like an idiot dictating to my iPhone.
I am a big mass transit guy as I don't like cabs and believe that the subway is most often the quickest way around. City Transit has subway maps available offline and can tell you which lines and stations are being serviced. Exit Strategy tells you which cars on the subway are by the exits. This is a must if you take the subway when you are in a rush and every minute counts.
I have about 180 notes out Outlook notes and so far, the best tool to sync with it is iMExchange 2. Like Evernote, you have to make sure to sync when you have a cell or Wi-Fi signal (i.e., not in the subway).
I have the LinkedIn app, which is OK. I primarily use it to review invitations to connect and also use it once in a while to check someone out before a meeting.
Seamless (formerly SeamlessWeb) has been a lifesaver when I am out of the office and starved before lunch and want my food waiting for me when I get back to the office.
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Robert Levin is the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The New York Enterprise Report. Levin has extensive experience with midsize and small businesses, having previously held CEO, CFO, and COO positions with companies in several industries. He is also a contributor for The Huffington Post. Levin can be reached at rlevin@nyreport.com and (212) 307-6760.
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