Now your business can have its own mobile app on the device or devices you choose (iPhone, Android and/or Blackberry). Your prospects and clients can download the app right on their device (i.e. like from the Apple AppStore). Imagine having your very own branded app where you can publish articles and news…share upcoming events…post videos and podcasts…link to your website and online store…even send alerts!

We take care of nearly everything: setup, programming, publishing to the applicable ‘store’, and even posting your content updates. To learn more, visit http://leapbusinesstechnology.com/products/mobile-iphone-android-app/.

Here are my core productivity apps:

Evernote – I simply couldn’t stay organized without this unbelievable app. I can now easily find any note I’ve ever typed, scanned or snapped from my desktop, mobile phone or iPad no matter where I am.

Pocket Informant – this great looking app is now my calendar, my project manager and my task list. It syncs with Google Calendar and even helps me manage tasks using the Getting Things Done methodology.

GoodReader – a very versatile app which opens nearly any type of file. And it can connect directly to your “cloud” storage.

Flipboard – a whole new spin on staying informed. Industry news, tweets, Facebook posts…this app makes it easy to scan and read just what’s relative all in one place. It’s my personalized newspaper.

Pages – Apple’s equivalent of Microsoft Word. Good for typing documents or using the many included templates.. When you’re done, you can save your file in Pages format, Word format or as a PDF file. If you type a lot, get a wireless keyboard

Numbers – Apple’s equivalent of Excel. It’s useful for basic spreadsheets. However, for complex spreadsheets or where you’ll have many formulas, it doesn’t yet replace a desktop version.

Keynote – Apple’s equivalent of PowerPoint. Keynote has a lot of great features and makes it easy to create presentations on the go. You’ll likely find yourself creating your presentations on a desktop then using Keynote on the iPad to make edits and tweaks. It also imports and converts PowerPoint files.

Other useful productivity apps:

Fidelity – especially good if you have a Fidelity account, but also good for market news and investing research

CNBC – this recently released iPad app makes it easy to track your stocks without the need for an account or signing in. Just add your stocks and you’re all set. This app also gives you a good dose of market news and analysis.

W&Y Pages – (White and Yellow Pages) the quickest way to look up a business or person’s phone number.

USA Today – this app is just what you’d expect. News stories in a great looking app. And like most apps listed here, it’s free.
 
Here are some fun and useful entertainment apps:

Pandora – music you like whenever you like…and for free. Tip: if you use your iPad at home or in your office, buy a keyboard dock. This dock has an audio out jack so you can connect speakers.

ABC Player – ABC was kind enough to give us a free app where we can watch nearly any episode of any ABC show right on the iPad.

Yahoo Guide or What’s On – want to know what’s on TV tonight? These apps give you visual listings specific to your TV provider and your location. They even let you mark your favorite channels and shows, and set reminders of upcoming shows.

Netflix – if you’re a Netflix customer, this is a must have app. You can stream select movies directly to your iPad. If you want an app to manage your queue, check out PhoneFlicks.

Flixster – this is the best app I’ve found for movie listings near you. Check show times, watch previews, read reviews and even purchase your tickets (at some theaters).
 
Other great apps for specific purposes:

Weather Bug – I’ve tried just about every weather app out there. This one is my favorite primarily because it’s fast. Quickly see current temp, wind chill, radar and forecast. You can also see local weather/video cameras.

Beat The Traffic – headed on a trip or even across town for a meeting? Check the traffic before you go to make sure you take the best route. You can even view traffic cameras and construction work.

Zillow – ever wonder what the listing price is for that house down the street or in that neighborhood you like? Now you can see the listing price, interior photos and past sale prices. Zillow will also let you see how much every house on your street paid in property taxes last year.

ESPN ScoreCenterXL – for sports fans, this app is a must. Check scores, schedules, videos and much more.
 
Finally, everyone needs a break now and then. So pick out a couple a games. Here are my recommendations:

Cut the Rope – the first game app to challenge Angry Birds for best selling game in the AppStore. A challenging and addicting game with dozens of levels. Good for ages 6 and up.

Labyrinth – remember the wooden box with the maze controlled by two knobs? Your job is to rotate the knobs and navigate a silver ball through the maze and not let the ball fall into holes. Labyrinth is an incredibly creative adaptation that will keep you going for hours. Good for ages 4 and up.

Slice It – a simple yet addictive game where you must slice an object a certain number of times to produce a certain number of equally sized ‘slices’. This game is great food for the brain. Good for ages 8 and up.

UNO – want a game you can play with 3 other people? This is the traditional game of UNO. It’s well done on the iPad. You can even play over the Internet using Apple’s GameCenter. Good for ages 6 and up.

MagicPiano – A completely different take on the piano. Freestyle play or play a song from the songbook (it’ll help you a bit). Really fun for young children ages 2-10.

Well, I hope you put your new iPad to use! Have fun with these apps. I’ll share others in the days ahead. Feel free to comment on my recommendations or share your favorites for others to see.

Enjoy!

For the past 10 years or so, probably just like you, I’ve worked from a laptop and carried it on every trip and to every offsite meeting. It was certainly a core part of my “system” for staying organized.

So I debated for weeks whether to buy a laptop or use the iPad I purchased earlier in the year. When it comes to laptops, put me in the camp of a “power user”. I want speed, space and every application imaginable so I’m as efficient as possible. At the time (back in late summer), the iPad was still relatively untested for business since it was so new. But I was convinced of the iPad’s potential. So I decided to give the iPad a try as my only road device (other than my mobile phone).

Now, many weeks into the new business, I’ve had a good chance to try out the iPad in just about every scenario possible. I’ve traveled by plane and by car…conducted brainstorming sessions…led project meetings…participated in “small group” meetings…and certainly made sales visits and given presentations. So far there hasn’t been a single instance where I needed a laptop.

But even better, I’ve learned where the iPad (and likely other forthcoming tablets) hold tremendous advantages over laptops. For example:

• Instant on! No more waiting 5-6 minutes for anything to boot up or down.
• Fast applications. Again, no waiting.
• Long battery life. I get about 10 hours on one charge. No more searching for outlets in the airport or at a client site!
• Light weight. My bag (when I even need it) is lighter and my back appreciates that.
• It’s more engaging. I can easily hand it to a prospect and have them interact with my presentation.

Now, you have to have the right apps for sure. And it can take some time to figure out exactly what you need to accomplish your day to day tasks effectively. After all, there are tens of thousands of apps out there for the iPad. Here are a few apps I’ve found to be very helpful in going mobile with the iPad:

• Pocket Informant – this great looking app is now my calendar, my project manager and my task list. It syncs with Google Calendar and even helps me manage tasks using the Getting Things Done methodology.
• Evernote- I simply couldn’t stay organized without this unbelievable app. I can now easily find any note I’ve ever typed, scanned or snapped from my desktop, mobile phone or iPad no matter where I am.
• Good Reader – a very versatile app which opens nearly any type of file. And it connects directly to my “cloud” storage.
• Flipboard- a whole new spin on staying informed. Industry news, tweets, Facebook posts…this app makes it easy to scan and read just what’s relative. It’s my personalized newspaper.

I firmly believe tablet technology will change business in a dramatic way. What do you think?

Check back in a few days for a more in-depth look at some of the tools I mentioned in this post.

We encourage you to check back often. Or make it easy on yourself and click the Twitter icon above to follow us on Twitter or click the RSS icon to add this blog to your news reader.

Enjoy!

Let us know what you think. Feel free to comment below or use the contact form (on the Contact Us page) to send us an email. And if you or someone you know could use our help, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you!

Jeff