Dropbox, Evernote and Sanebox are some of the top apps on anyone’s list of time-saving devices, but I gotta tell you, there are some other great up-and-coming phone and desktop/laptop apps that help you get more done faster inside and outside the office.
CardMunch
CardMunch converts business cards to address book contacts, then adds those contacts as connections on LinkedIn. Sweet, huh? Snap a photo of the business card, upload it to the service, and the information is automatically added to your phone. Unless it’s a cool business card made out of bacon, leather, wood or something, no reason to hold onto the card.
Price: Free
Learn more: cardmunch.com
Available on: iOS
CloudOn
CloudOn is for running Microsoft office on your phone or tablet. Mac or PC? I know what a drag it is to have a PC tablet and meet a client with an iPad, or vice versa. This app provides you with a full PC version of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel on your mobile device—iPad, phone or Android tablet. You basically get a virtual Windows environment on your smartphone or tablet.
CloudOn also integrates with Box, Dropbox and Google Drive so you can keep all your documents stored in the cloud. Work anywhere with any platform.
Price: Free
Learn more: site.cloudon.com
Available on: iOS
Dark Sky
I wish I’d had this before Hurricane Sandy blew through. How can a weather app help you get stuff done faster? Simple. It uses state-of-the-art weather forecasting to predict when it will rain or snow—down to the minute—at your exact location. If you’re outdoors, commuting, trying to decide whether to walk, take a taxi or bring your umbrella, or wondering if your flight is going to be canceled, this is a must have.
Price: Free
Learn more: darkskyapp.com
Available on: iOS
Alarm Clock Pro
This little app is perfect if you have appointments throughout the day. Schedule as many things as you want, and even program this to write and send emails and reports for you. This is an alarm clock you can set based on a recurring monthly, weekly, daily, hourly or even minute-by-minute schedule. Use it to wake you up in the morning, send & compose e-mails, remind you of appointments, speak or display inspirational text during the day, or send out birthday and other emails. It’s like having a virtual assistant.
Price: $19.95 with a 99-cent streamlined version for your phone
Learn more: koingosw.com
Available on: iOS
SkyScanner
Skyscanner scans all the major airlines' websites for the lowest fares, but it checks on all the online travel agencies for the sweetest deals too. Search by specific date, destination and even time. Check on book-in advance fees and specials with their advance search function. Skyscanner will tell you if it’s cheaper to book one-way tickets on separate airlines rather than a round trip on one provider. Oh, bonus feature? They check rental cars and hotels too.
Price: Free
Learn More: skyscanner.com
Available on: iOS
Next Flight
Missed a flight or want to see if you can catch an earlier flight? Next Flight lists all upcoming direct flights between two airports for the current day and the following day. Next Flight also lists all upcoming direct flights from all airlines across all airports worldwide.
Price: $3.99
Learn More: Google App Store
Available on: iOS
Google Drive
Google Drive used to be Google Docs. If you haven’t upgraded (free), you should. If you’re using Drive on Chrome, get apps that let you edit video and photos, free faxing, forms, Slide Rocket (an alternative to PowerPoint), upload audio, even engineering and AutoCAD apps.
Price: Free
Learn more: chrome.google.com
Available on: iOS, Droid
OfficeTime
Self-employed? A freelancer or contractor? OfficeTime (Mac and PC) generates invoices, tracks time spent on billable hours, on projects and tasks, and shows you the minute-by-minute cost, simple, practical and effective. It has a line item function with a recorder that tracks real time and prevents you from billing the wrong client. It export reports and so much more. And it won a PC Mag Editor’s Choice Award too.
Price: $47
Learn more: OfficeTime.net
Available: iOS, Windows
TimeBridge
Ever play schedule tag? You know, the game where you waste an entire morning scheduling a 15-minute meeting later in the week? TimeBridge lets you send ONE email to anyone or everyone and lets customers or clients pick a time that works best for them and you without you even having to be involved. Works with Outlook, Google, iCal.
Price: Free
Learn more: timebridge.com
Available: iOS
IDoneThis
See what you—and your people—have gotten done in a day with this app. No more rambling emails you have to dig through, or reports that don’t cut to the chase. Plus, you don’t have to nag people for a list; the software does it for you.
Price: $5 per person/user
Learn more: IdoneThis.com
Available: IdoneThis.com
Mike Michalowicz is the CEO of Provendus Group, a consulting group that helps companies whose growth has plateaued to grow again. Michalowicz is the author of The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, as well as one of the most popular entrepreneur blogs.
Photo: Thinkstock