COVER STORY
Easy Does It
There really is an app for everything these days. But just how much better are they making our lives? By Clara Lim.
I
t wasn’t so long ago that we could perform basic functions without the help of our mobile devices (we recall being pretty damn pleased with just the one app, Snake). Now, with a better body and a more organized and fulfilled life only a few app purchases away, it seems rude not to let them run our lives. But not all are what they (and rave reviewers) claim to be, so, to save you precious time and bandwidth, we’ve sorted the hot from the not. All apps are free (just like I-S!) unless otherwise stated.
Getting Stuff Done SelfControl
Mailbox
Evernote
TaskAmigo
What it does: This desktop app for Mac (try SelfRestraint, Freedom or Anti-Social for Windows) blocks distracting websites of your choice for the period of time you need.
What it does: This mobile inbox app lets you sort emails in a supposedly more intuitive way than usual. Other than archiving and deleting, you can also save an email for later (you choose when you want to see it in your inbox again) or add it to one of your to-do lists.
What it does: This notebook replacement syncs your notes, lists and photos across devices, so you can basically text all those important thoughts to your future self.
What it does: Similar to successful US-based TaskRabbit, this online platform lets users outsource jobs and chores.
They say: “Whenever I get frustrated by work, I go to Facebook/Reddit out of habit. No more! It’s really saved my sanity, and hours of my time!” says REMitchell on MacUpdate.com. We say: We blocked our social media and online shopping sites and knuckled down for a steady two hours of work. Half an hour in, the urge to look at nail art and read public transport complaints became unbearable, so we changed the time on our computer settings to end the lockdown. Not our proudest moment. The verdict: H If you’re constantly distracted, you may just be bored with your job—we suggest you download the Quit Your Job app instead. Available for Mac.
Our Days Are Numbered Proof that phones and apps are taking over the world.
They say: “Easy to use, simplistic and absolutely organized! Best app ever,” raves TDiaz5 on the iTunes store. We say: Unfortunately, it’s only available for Gmail and iCloud, so we couldn’t use it to confront the hellscape that is our work inbox. We went through our relatively wellmaintained Gmail, but it wasn’t a picnic either. Do we want to “archive” or “trash” those emails from our exes? Is it better to “trash” this flash sale flyer or add to our tobuy list? The verdict: HH Until we get used to these new categories, Mailbox just feels like one more thing (argh) to deal with. Available for iPhone and iPad.
They say: “Fantastic. I use this all the time for everything including work and personal. Thank you Evernote,” says Andrew Bettcher on the Google Play store.
They say: “TaskAmigo helps me find jobs quickly and easily. The best part is that I get to choose how much I expect to be paid,” says Tan Siew Hui on TaskAmigo.com.
We say: We ditched the usual paper goods and got tapping on our phones, but after about a week of use we never accessed our notes on it ever again. We found that it’s really hard to beat crossing items off lists and tearing up Post-It notes. Also, if we learned one thing from Moleskine’s branding campaign, it’s that typing on a phone is way less sexy than writing in an overpriced notebook. The verdict: HHH Use sparingly so that your sex appeal doesn’t take a hit.
We say: Our request for a croissant and coffee delivery didn’t gain much traction, probably since the database isn’t big or active enough yet. Oh well. They probably would have messed up our order anyway. The verdict: Suck it up and do it yourself—at least for now. Evernote
Website-based.
Available for iPhone, iPad and Android.
688,607,654
3 billion
37.5
Active mobile subscriptions in SE Asia, as of January 2014
iOS App Store downloads in December 2013 alone
Average number of apps installed by Singaporean smartphone users (the worldwide average is 26)
4 $50,000 Amount being earned each day from in-app ads in crazily popular game Flappy Bird, before the developer pulled it from the App Store this month
Singapore’s global ranking (at 71.7%) in countries with the highest smartphone penetration in 2013
Sources: Apple, App Annie, Mashable, TechCrunch, The Verge, Wearesocial
6 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, February 28, 2014