As smartphones become smarter, they’re rapidly becoming like a mobile virtual office. Michela Ledwidge comes to grips with 18 productivity-boosting mobile apps for business.
In a short space of time, the market for mobile applications has exploded to the point where it is nearly impossible to keep track. With so much choice, which apps will actually be useful for your business? Here are some tips for the major mobile operating systems – iPhone, BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows Mobile, as well as for other devices supporting Java.
For the immediate future, email remains the most likely business tool for your mobile device. For BlackBerry and iPhone users, the pre-installed email applications provide more than adequate features. If you’re running a Microsoft Exchange server, you can synchronise your Nokia phone using the free Mail for Exchange app. For older devices, free web services like mail2web can be worth bookmarking in your browser.
Voice calls
Skype offers a range of free apps (iPhone, Windows Mobile) to connect to its voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and text chat service. However, Skype only allows you to make voice calls while on a Wi-Fi wireless network such as at your home or office. This is because mobile operators want you to pay their long-distance call rates, which are usually more expensive than the cost of data in a VoIP call. Skype can pay off with international conference calls, especially when combined with the SkypeIn service, allowing you to purchase local numbers in other countries.
Wireless hotspots
Create your own personal wireless hotspot anywhere in the world. You may not have seen this in action because, again, this is not in the best interests of mobile operators. However, the process is simple on some Symbian phones such as Nokia and Samsung. Savvy business travellers avoid overpriced internet charges by using local pay-as-you-go SIM cards. JoikuSpot (Symbian EUR15) or WMWifiRouter (Windows Mobile US$29.99) then lets you share a phone’s 3G internet connection with WiFi devices such as laptops, iPhones and internet tablets.
Data visualisation
Need to ‘sex up’ business data? A mobile visualisation tool may be just the thing. Roambi (iPhone) gives you the ability to upload business data over the web, then access and share it using a slick looking app with a simple and well-designed (read-only) user interface. The spreadsheet viewer is particularly easy to navigate. It’s aimed at a well-heeled mobile sales force, but the pricing information is unavailable on the website.
A far simpler app may suffice if all you need is access to Google Analytics. Analytics App (iPhone, US$5.99) does a great job of presenting a wealth of information about how well your site is performing.
Document management
An app that lets you read, write and organise a range of document formats might seem like a good idea. In practice, the most fully featured apps are still struggling to keep up with expectations based on decades of desktop use. Quickoffice Mobile Office Suite (iPhone US$12.99) currently offers the best support for editing Microsoft Office documents. The company also provides several cut-down versions and equivalent apps for Symbian, BlackBerry, Android and Palm OS. Nevertheless, be wary of relying on any mobile device’s ability to create and display complex formatting accurately. Do not throw away your laptop just yet. Remember, until a few months ago you could not cut and paste on an iPhone!
Best to treat your mobile as a read-only viewer for files and use other platforms for editing. box.net is a simple software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering with free iPhone and BlackBerry apps for accessing the data you store online. The real value is in the synch capability between platforms, mobile or otherwise. box.net does a good job at this and also provides basic viewing of the most common office document formats. box.net is a subscription service starting with 1GB storage for free.
In practice, mobile document management is often best achieved using the default browser on your device. Expect to see more and more sites serving up page formats specifically intended for your device.
Invoicing and time management
There are a plethora of invoicing/time management tools on offer – at least 12 apps for the iPhone alone . FreshBooks and Harvest both work well. Both offer a free subscription for individuals tracking up to two projects. FreshBooks requires a free app installed, whereas Harvest operates via your web browser. If you need to see seconds tick away as you perform a task, the FreshBooks app may be the right choice. Harvest’s web page display does not update in real time. However, Harvest’s interface is somewhat less cluttered and easier to navigate than FreshBooks’. The web browser approach also means support for less fashionable devices. iPhone apps may be easier to market and monetise, but a well-designed mobile browser app can often be just as useful.
Social networks
Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace have well designed iPhone apps for quickly touching base with the outside world. They provide a cut-down view of the websites, so not everything is included. With MySpace, stripping out the fancy graphics and bling is arguably a good thing. With Facebook, the lack of access to your events can be a real nuisance. Microblogging is well suited for mobiles. Check out ÜberTwitter (BlackBerry free beta), twibble (free for all Java phones) and Tweetie (iPhone £1.79).
Relaxation
Mobile readers have come a long way thanks to the iPhone/iPod Touch interface. Check out the free Stanza e-book reader that not only offers access to thousands of public-domain works, but also titles from several commercial publishers. Stanza has a nice page-flipping mechanic and a handy low-light setting for late night reading in bed.
For a different approach, check out Magnetism Studio’s FileMagnet (and books) equipped with an innovative Tilt Scrolling mechanism. You don’t touch the screen to move through the text – just tilt the device. The experience is somewhat like reading off a teleprompter.
Thinking local
Ultimately, the most relevant apps may be the most local. iPhone Maps may be invaluable when driving or on foot, but regular users of Sydney’s ailing public transport system will love TripView.
Stay flexible in your thinking. Bigger may not be better when it comes to mobile. Dava Consulting’s free Ruler app (iPhone) came in very handy this week!