The recent announcement of details surrounding the Apple Watch (the gold one is slated to be in the affordable price of $10,000!) along with the development of wearable techs such as Google Watch, Pebble, and Oculus Rift has sealed the name of our species as Homo mechanicus or mechanical man.
Unfortunately, before we step further into the future, we’re stuck with our smartphones and apps. But we’re business people! If there’s one trait that all of us should have, it’s resourcefulness. Smartphone apps are the best resources for melding our entrepreneurial endeavors and on-the-go lifestyle.
Whether you are an Android or iPhone fan or the occasional Blackberry user, you can’t ignore that apps are essentially extensions of our own bodies. Here are some essential apps for all entrepreneurs:
Uber
Android | iOS
It may be controversial, but Uber is undoubtedly one of the most useful apps for budding entrepreneurs.
Photo Credit: Austin Distel
You have to be punctual in every business meeting, and Uber provides a reliable way to travel from one place to another. To hell with waiting for a cab. An Uber ride is just a tap away.
Asana
Android | iOS
Numerous task management apps are available today in the Play Store/App Store, but I recommend Asana.
It’s more than just a to-do list app. It is a team collaboration app where you can assign tasks and deadlines to individuals or teams, set priorities and tags, and even “heart” a task, equivalent to liking or following.
Dropbox
Android | iOS
You never know when you will need a business file, so you need access to your business folders at all times and places. Luckily, there’s an app (or apps) for that.
There are plenty of cloud storage apps on the market, but Dropbox is the most famous and, in my opinion, the most reliable. Upload your documents, photos, spreadsheets, and other business files, and you will never worry about losing one—assuming you sync your gadgets.
Square
Android | iOS
For small business entrepreneurs, Square is a point-of-sale app that accepts cash and credit card payments.
You can swipe the card using the provided peripheral (which works with any smartphone device). The app is free, but Square charges a small fee for every transaction.
Slack
Android | iOS
If there is one email killer in the workplace, it would have to be Slack. Slack is a versatile chat app that is accessible through your browser or phone. It integrates with various tools to enhance team management, including a work anniversary celebration bot that helps you track and celebrate important milestones, fostering a stronger corporate culture.
With Slack, you can create chat boxes exclusive to the teams you work with and a random chatbox where you can show a .gifv of a cat while browsing Reddit.
Google Analytics
Android | iOS
Google Analytics is an essential business tool, especially for online shops. Getting it in app form takes it even further.
Now, you can access your Google Analytics data anytime on your mobile device, thanks to its user-friendly interface and Material design.
Reddit News
Android
Why? Because it’s the front page of the internet, that’s why.
Don’t miss out on the latest cat videos the internet has to offer right on your smartphone. There are a lot of Reddit apps in the app store today, but the one I use is Reddit News, which features a sleek material design interface. It really depends on your preference.
Flipboard
Android | iOS
Flipboard is a multiplatform aggregator of news, blog articles, videos, and social media in a magazine format.
If you just got in the office taking a sip of your morning coffee, this might just be the smartphone equivalent of a news magazine. You can customize Flipboard to fit your interests and add all your social feeds to a single app.
Game Emulators
Android
You probably played a GameBoy or a PlayStation when you were a kid. Did you know that you can play those games on your smartphone? (Of course, you do!) Apps that emulate the SNES, GameBoy, PSP, and other handheld consoles are available on the market. Just don’t ask me where to get the games. Heh.
There are new mobile apps that you can download, but nothing really beats the classics.
Do you have more app suggestions for entrepreneurs? Comment below!