iPhone apps help reduce clutter and improve productivity

[Wondermonkey]

After a week of playing with my new iPhone 3G, I’ve found the following applications to be helpful to my productivity and in my fight against clutter.

Installed:

Notes — I played with a number of the list-style programs (My Lists, iNeedStuff, To Do, etc.) and productivity applications (EasyTask Manager, OmniFocus) and found that Notes is just as effective for keeping track of action items and projects. Seeing as Notes is free and installed on the phone at point of purchase, I don’t recommend paying to download a more specialized application. Grocery lists, errand lists, and other to-do items are easily stored and erased when finished.

*Wondermonkey's Opinion: Below I think, if it works, is the coolest thing. My wallet is littered with membership cards: Local Porn Store, National Porn Store, Rita's Ice card, Valtrex Coupons, etc.

Photos — Use a digital camera with better than 2 megapixels and a micro focus to take closeup pictures of the bar codes on your membership cards. Then, transfer the pictures to your iPhone and store them in a folder in Photos titled “membership cards.” Barcode scanners should be able to read the barcode image and they also can be manually typed into a keypad if the scanner doesn’t work. Give it a try before you throw out your membership cards, but I’ve had success with this at my grocery store and pharmacy. (The Camera on your iPhone won’t work for taking pictures of bar codes because it can’t focus well enough at close range.)

Calculator — Ignore all of the tipping programs and budget planning programs available for download and simply use the calculator that is already installed. If you turn the iPhone on its side, the standard calculator transforms into a scientific calculator. Save your money and stick with the one that is provided and works.

Downloaded:

Jott for iPhone — We’ve already discussed the wonder that is Jott in a previous post, so there isn’t much more to say about this application. If you’re someone who is tempted to text while you drive (DON’T DO IT!), Jott is the perfect application for you. It’s super convenient and free to download.

Evernote — Like Jott, Evernote is a program we’ve discussed in detail in previous posts. Integration with the iPhone Camera, however, makes this an even more useful tool. My only complaint is that it doesn’t seem to allow for web page tagging. It’s also a free application.

Unclutterer — Don’t forget to include an Unclutterer icon on your home screen! Directions for how to install one are here. We know that the man vacuuming his face off creeps a few of you out, but I find him to be unbelievably entertaining. Why can’t he figure out how to vacuum properly?!

Google Mobile — This application gives you iPhone formatted access to all Google applications. I’m a committed user to Google Calendar and Google Docs, so it’s nice to have these services in an easy-to-use configuration. I’ve also installed a separate Google Reader application, but you can access it through the main Google Mobile as well. It, too, is free.

Source.

Pretty good thoughts on becoming uncluttered using the Jebus Phone, but I bet we could expand even more on it.

As a personal side, I love Google Reader, like, LOVE it. It's the only way I can stay on top of all the news needs, and being able to keep it up to date on multiple computers (iPhone included) is fantastic. I'm going to give Google Mobile a try, until now, I was just using the mobile reader web app, which is fantastic. If you people use lots of feeds, I don't think anything can match Reader right now.

[CoryB23]

As a personal side, I love Google Reader, like, LOVE it. It's the only way I can stay on top of all the news needs, and being able to keep it up to date on multiple computers (iPhone included) is fantastic. I'm going to give Google Mobile a try, until now, I was just using the mobile reader web app, which is fantastic. If you people use lots of feeds, I don't think anything can match Reader right now.

I've been debating switching over to Google Reader. I've used Bloglines for quite some time now and despite my recent switch to pretty much everything Google, I have yet to stray from Bloglines. Maybe now is the time, especially since Bloglines doesn't offer a mobile version that I'm aware of.

[Wondermonkey]

Originally Posted by CoryB23

I've been debating switching over to Google Reader. I've used Bloglines for quite some time now and despite my recent switch to pretty much everything Google, I have yet to stray from Bloglines. Maybe now is the time, especially since Bloglines doesn't offer a mobile version that I'm aware of.

Do it. It's really great, and it also suggests some great feeds based on what you're subscribed to. Also, I just tested out the Google Mobile app and all it does is redirect you to the mobile reader that I have bookmarked. So if you switch, make sure you bookmark the mobile reader. It's fast, snappy, and clean.



Set everything up on your computer first.

[Crippler]

Pfff....where's the Cowbell app?

[CoryB23]

Ok, I'm a convert. I switched all of my feeds over to Google Reader. I like the way it's setup, and I really like the ease of use factore for the iPod Touch. Very smooth. Thanks for the tip.

[Wondermonkey]

Originally Posted by CoryB23

Ok, I'm a convert. I switched all of my feeds over to Google Reader. I like the way it's setup, and I really like the ease of use factore for the iPod Touch. Very smooth. Thanks for the tip.

Any time. Also, what I usually do is if there's something huge I want to read but don't want to do it on the phone/touch, I star it for later and read it on the computer. Seems to work well.

[Rhino Chaser]

Is anyone using Jott...the review comments are an amusing running battle on privacy concerns.

[Epyon MX]

I use twitter as my simple note program. It's public, but whatever.