How can you use apps for an easier life?
I love technology. I think gadgets, personal tech and apps can help us do things more effectively and efficiently.
That’s why I publish my Friday Favourites blog post every week, where I shine a light on a website, tool or an app that has impressed me.
So when my friend David Withington, who runs the Tech It Easy workshop (you can read David’s story of how Tech It Easy began) contacted me to ask my recommendations for awesome apps the can make life easier, I was only too happy to help!
With that in mind, here are 7 awesome apps for an easier life.
1. Productivity App
David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity tells us that “the mind is made for having ideas, not holding them”.
With that in mind, I use the app Todoist as a to-do list app & task manager.
Todoist works on every device. Therefore, if I add a to-do on my PC, it’ll show up on my smartphone, and visa-Versa.
Read more about Todoist – To-Do List App & Task Manager.
2. Travel App
Have you ever arranged to meet up with friends in a City Centre or other crowded location?
“Where are you?”, “Where?!” and “I can’t see that!” are just three sentences you can expect to hear in the subsequent conversation!
That’s why I’m a fan of using Glympse – A Simple Way to Share Your Location in Real-Time.
Send a Glympse to your friend and you can both use the app to find each other’s current location in real-time.
Trust me, using Glympse can get you to the pub a lot faster!
Read more about Glympse – A Simple Way to Share Your Location in Real-Time.
3. Health App
In business, I’m a big believer in the old adage “What can be measured, can be managed”.
So when I applied this adage to my own health, the results were equally effective!
Welltory is an app that allows you to measure your stress and energy levels.
It uses your smartphone’s camera to measure your heart-rate variable (HRV) with your fingertip.
Welltory has enabled me to pinpoint the activities and foods that drain my energy and focus on more of the things that make me healthier.
Read more about Welltory – Manage Your Stress and Energy.
4. Personal Finance App
Does your wallet or purse bulge… and not with cash!
If you find you’re carrying around too many credit and debits cards, then I’d recommend getting a Curve card.
Curve combines all your debit and credit cards into a single (physical) card.
Using the Curve app, you can then select which card you want your Curve card to work as.
I use my curve card to keep all my family, personal and business transactions on separate credit card accounts — without ever having to carry lots of cards!
Read more about Curve – Combine all your Debit and Credit Cards into one card.
5. Shopping App
The Curve app helps me leave the house with only one credit card, but what about all of those store loyalty cards?
Stocard is a loyalty card app that allows you to store all of your loyalty cards on your smartphone.
No more carrying around dozens of loyalty cards, and then forgetting the important loyalty card you actually need at the checkout!
With Stocard, you load up all of your cards onto your smartphone and then scan the appropriate barcode when you need a specific loyalty card.
Read more about Stocard – The Loyalty Card App.
6. Cybersecurity App
If you’re out and about and using the free wi-fi at a library, cafe, pub, hotel or even an Airbnb, then you should be aware that your personal data is at risk.
That’s why I recommend everyone use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app like TunnelBear.
TunnelBear keeps your personal data safe by encrypting any traffic that you send over an untrusted Wi-Fi connection.
The TunnelBear VPN is super simple to set up and use on any device. When you’re using free Wi-Fi, just hit the bear icon and you’ll be protected.
Read more about TunnelBear VPN.
7. Happiness and Wellbeing Apps
All this tech is great, but does it make you happier?
My final app helps you by giving you a friendly nudge to help you cultivate a positive mindset and become happier!
The Action for Happiness app shares an inspiring message or an uplifting idea with you every single day.
As somebody who has struggled with his mental health all my life, I can tell you that the Action for Happiness app helps put you in a great frame of mind each day.
Read more about Action for Happiness – An Action Coach in Your Pocket.
And if you’re not feeling particularly happy, you could always try the (bonus!) app Woebot – An AI-based Therapy Chatbot to Help with Depression and Anxiety.
Conclusion
Technology definitely allows us to live an easier life.
The apps we use on our smartphone can help us save money, do things faster and better, and ultimately, be happier.
But one word of caution. Don’t let technology take over your life! Use the tech to help you. Don’t let the tech use you!
I’d recommend putting the tech down to Go out for a walk. Make sure to take a break from work and tech. Relax and read a book.
Do you have any suggestions for awesome apps for an easier life? Leave a comment below or get in touch.
And if you’ve enjoyed my selection of awesome apps, then make sure to follow me on Twitter to see my latest Friday Favourites each week!
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