I am so happy I made the move from iPhone to Android. I documented the issues I was having with AT&T in a previous blog, and I now have much better service, more minutes and data, all for less out-of-pocket expense. So to help promote Android apps, here is my next set of intriguing and what I have found to be essential Android apps for (small) business (in no particular order):
Cost: $9.99
"In March 2005, Judge Robert Restaino jailed 46 people when a mobile phone rang in his New York courtroom and no one would admit responsibility." A group of MIT students decided to create an app for that. Locale is an application for those situations when the ringer on your phone becomes bothersome, such as when your phone beeps or rings during an important meeting or even in the doctor's office (happened to me). This application used to be free, but due to its popularity and potential importance in any business setting, it is now close to ten bucks at the time of publication.
Price: Free
If your phone is as important to your small business success as mine is, then this application is for you. I haven't lost my phone yet, but I have misplaced it. Once I thought, "I can just call it to hear it ring." Wrong. I tried, but I couldn't hear it. It was on silent. Nice. What this app allows you to do is set up your phone to turn off silent and ring loudly no matter what the settings just by simply using your buddy's phone to send a special text to it. You can also get the location of your phone in GPS coordinates with a link to Google maps so you can get directions to it should it get lost in a public place.
Price: Free
If shipping is a big part of your business, then this is an invaluable app for you! You can set the preferences to run in the background and also configure the refresh interval. You can also configure to silently notify you via your phone during times when you don't want an annoying ring. Also integrates with Google Maps to track your packages. Amazingly, this app supports all of the following carriers:
- Amazon (USA, GB, DE)
- Apple
- Aramex
- BPost (Belgium)
- City-Link (GB)
- CNE Express
- DHL (Germany)
- DHL (USA)
- DHL Domestic (GB)
- DHL Express (GB)
- DHL Express National (Germany)
- DHL Global Mail
- DPD Standard (Germany)
- Fedex
- GLS
- Hermes
- Home Delivery Network (GB)
- Hongkong Post
- Israel Post
- Itella (Finland)
- Japan Post Int. Mail
- Laser Ship
- On Trac Shipping
- Parcelforce
- Post (Austria)
- Post (Denmark)
- Post (Switzerland)
- Posten (Norway)
- Posten (Sweden)
- Royal Mail
- Spee-Dee Delivery (USA)
- TNT
- TNT International (Netherlands)
- TNT National (Netherlands)
- UPS
- UPS Mail Innovations
- USPS
Price: Free
Based on FTP and OPP (Object Push Profile), this app allows you to browse and manage the files on any Bluetooth-enabled device. You can also use it to receive files and transfer contact information. Doesn't do much more, but if you have ever need to transfer documents and can't find a thumb drive, this app can be a life saver in a business situation.
Price: $3.95
If you are like me, I work on several different projects. This app has been invaluable in allowing me to charge time to different customers and email the time in CSV format with the push of a button. It also allows you to track mileage. The only thing missing is a means of generating invoices with my own header. I paid $2.95 (if I remember correctly) when I bought it, so it seems to becoming more popular.
Price: Free
Expense Cloud allows you to manage expense reporting through your phone (online). It is fully featured (though they need to make it more intuitive - takes some getting used to) and you can create expense reports, track approvals, and manage expenses for your company. It nicely integrates online with QuickBooks, among others.
Price: Free
Call Track is an interesting app in that it logs your phone activity to your Google Calendar. Nifty huh? You can categorize by incoming, outgoing, and missed calls. You can also dump your current call log to your calendar.