There seems to be a new Android smartphone being released almost monthly and the number of Apps continues to grow. These GPS enabled smartphones now provide significant processing power in our palms, something we could only have imagined only a few years ago. Tools are now available to help us share updates, files, directories, location check-ins, access location specific services, and a ton of other things. If you're traveling on business, these tools are a necessity to not just being able to stay in touch with home, but also to remain as productive as if you were back in the office.
The Android platform is already an established industry standard, backed by Google and providing a viable alternative to the iPhone. You can now depend on your Android device to gain extra productivity time while on the road or at home; Whether you need access to files from multiple devices located in different locations, or finding a restaurant in a foreign city.
Here are 10 useful Apps for the Android Smartphone:
1. Barcode Scanner
For when you are doing a little shopping on your business trip. Simply scan the barcode of a product and the app will bring up retailers and locations to purchase or, online retailers and product prices.
2. ALOQA -Travel Companion
ALOQA (Always Be Local), which uses GPS to first pinpoint your location and then find activities, events, stores, restaurants and a host of other things in your vicinity. This is particularly useful if you are new to a city and just staying a few days. This app helps you get the local feel or get into the local vibe of a city.
3. GoAruna – File Sharing Management tool
For the business person traveling light (without a laptop), you can access your laptop files via GoAruna. Just drop your files into this app before leaving the home or office and you'll have access via your Android phone. With all the hassle of checking in and baggage security at airports, leaving the laptop behind is a great advantage.
4.VNC Viewer from Google
VNC lets you safely log in and connect to a remote machine, so you can make easy changes without having to actually store anything on your smartphone.
5. Meeting Notes by EverNote
This is a great app for taking notes in meetings and includes voice recordings (useful for voice memo reminders), and pictures. How many times have you wanted to take a picture of that White Board after several hours in a meeting? This App allows you to organize all your clips, find them and even email them. The picture element is also useful for capturing and organizing a copy of your plain ticket and other expired receipts.
6. Cab4Me
This is another useful free app, which is able to find the cab companies near your GPS location and includes reviews of the services – a very useful tool for the business traveler.
7. Talk to Me
This is a great translation tool and a must have if visiting a foreign country. You speak and the phone talks back to you in another language. Your very own interpreter in your pocket. Current languages covered in this app are: English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. And it's free.
8. TripIt
If you are a frequent traveler, TripIt is a great tool. And another must have. It organizes flight, hotel, restaurant and other itinerary information in an easy-to-read form, as well as giving you GPS directions. It can come in very handy if you have connecting flights to worry about, by alerting you to a Gate change for example.
9. Currency
This App can convert up to 160 currencies using real-time foreign exchange rates with a calculator. You can also track trends, charts and get news.
10. Cashbook
Cashbook is an expense tracker, a vital tool for the business traveler. It lets you easily track your weekly and monthly balance as well as your mileage.
With these 10 Apps you are likely to be well covered for your next trip, from travel updates to local information, to remaining productive while away from the office.