I don’t have an iPhone, but I do have the next best thing, an iPod Touch. It is a great tool that I keep by my side constantly. Well, every once in awhile the kids manage to borrow it to play some games. It is such a versatile tool that I suggest every business owner, even a small reseller hosting owner, should get one. If you are happy with your cell phone, just buy a Touch like I did.
The reason I suggest the iPhone is because it is so easy to use, and has so much versatility. One moment I can be playing Need For Speed and the next I can be writing a blog post, tracking my hours, or even viewing a spreadsheet.
If you are not familiar with how an iPhone works (and the Touch works the same exact way), everything is based around the Apps. Apple has designed a great piece of hardware with a large touch screen, but it is the Apps that really help make this a must-have tool for small businesses. That and a really easy to use touchscreen keyboard.
Apps are designed by third party software companies, and there are a ton of them. I recently reviewed BottomLine, a tracking app for cash businesses. Here are some more apps that are good for small businesses, suggested by TechStartUps.com, a website dedicated to news and information about to East Coast start-ups.
Here are some of their suggestions:
- Invoice2go. With this app you can create and email PDF invoices from customizable templates.
- Quickoffice Connect Mobile Suite. The first full-featured Microsoft® Office productivity suite for iPhone or iPod touch with integrated access to multiple cloud services; MobileMe, Dropbox, Google® Docs, and Box.net directly from your iPhone or iPod touch.
- Business Card Reader. Import contact information right from a business card to your iPhone contacts. Take a photo of the business card, check and correct the new contact info, and the new contact is added. This only works on iPhone, as the iPod Touch does not have a camera.
- SugarSync – Never be without a file when you need it. SugarSync gives you 24/7 access to all your PCs and Macs. View and share Word, Excel & PDF files, photos & more. Share entire photo albums quickly. No need to leave your computers turned on.
- HoursTracker – Track time spent on projects and view earnings, including different rates for different tasks. Clock in or out multiple times, add notes, and email reports.
- iSwipe Global Credit Card – Process major credit cards securely on your iPhone. iSwipe supports 18 currencies, with instant verification and fraud detection.
- Bento – Allows you to manage all your personal or business data in one intuitive application on iPhone. Organize your information using templates for easy tracking of contacts, projects, to-do items, customer information, and more.
- Pointer Remote for PowerPoint and Keynote – Turn your iPhone into a pointer for presentations and control PowerPoint 2008 or 2004 or Keynote ’06/’08 presentations.
To this list, you could add a ton of great apps. Here are some of my personal favorites:
- ClockIn – A simple time tracking app with an export to Excel file option.
- WordPress – I sometimes write posts right on my iPod. You can also check on and reply to comments.
- Gist – Gist.com is a powerful tool to manage all of your online relationships. The app brings the power of personal connection to the palm of your hand.
- Google. The Google app gives you access to all of your favorite Google tools, including Gmail, Reader, Calendar, Tasks, and News.
- Amazon Kindle – You can buy and read Kindle titles right on your iPhone. It is surprisingly easy to read on the iPhone, and you can zoom in if you need bigger words. And yes, you can take notes. Great way to read a business book when you are travelling, or in between things.
The iPhone or iPod Touch is a great tool for keeping connected, keeping track of things, and becoming more effective with your time. I know there is a big argument for some people against buying an iPhone because AT&T doesn’t offer good coverage. But this is so much more than a phone. It is a mini-computer that helps you stay on top of things, and maybe have a little fun from time to time as well. So go get yourself an iPhone or iPod Touch.
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Hello, I’m Bradford Shimp. I love my gadgets. You can learn more about me at BradfordShimp.com.
