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These days, mobile phones aren’t just phones. They’re our cameras, alarm clocks, calendars, diaries, notebooks and sat-navs and so much more. We tend to think of them as digital companions, helping us to organise our lives.

Many people use their smartphones as part of their job. The main benefit of doing this is that it gives you the freedom to work when you want, where you want – you’re no longer confined to your office desk.

You can send and reply to emails during your commute, or create tomorrow’s to-do list from the comfort of your own sofa!

Of course, what’s important is that you strike that golden work-life balance. Know when to switch off from work-related duties and enjoy some much needed downtime.

What’s also important is that you protect your gadget with mobile phone insurance. Smartphones aren’t cheap these days, especially if you own one of the latest models from brands like Apple or Samsung.

Phone insurance in the UK can cover your device if it’s accidentally damaged, lost or stolen (usually added onto policies as an extra).

Gadget Cover provides policies for phone insurance in the UK. Get insured through us and enjoy a whole host of benefits, including discounts on policies paid annually, truly instant cover, unlimited claims and a low excess fee.

If you want to learn more about how to use your smartphone for work, here are some of the best tools and apps for different tasks.

 

Best apps for… emails

There are two main apps for emails: Microsoft Outlook and Gmail. Both are free to download and are available on Android and iOS devices.

Tom’s Guide calls Outlook a ‘productivity powerhouse’ that brings your email, attachments, calendars and contacts into easy reach.

It’s smart in that it surfaces important emails based on communications, while swipe functionality allows you to triage your emails easily.

Gmail is equally as powerful, supporting numerous accounts and notifications.

In-built filters can sort social notifications from spam, and you can set rules for tagging mail by sender so that mail goes to certain folders automatically.

Best app for… your to-do list

Most of us take immense pleasure from compiling to-do lists and ticking off each item one by one! Wunderlist is arguably the best to-do list across any app store – plus it was rated the top productivity app by TechRadar.

With Wunderlist, to-do lists can be set up in a matter of seconds and can be accessed from your phone, tablet or computer, so you can tick off jobs on the go!

It’s really handy for work because you can share lists with colleagues or create lists with them, and you can attach PDFs, photos and presentations.

Wunderlist is free to use, but it’s possible that the app will eventually be replaced with Microsoft’s To-Do app, after the tech giant bought Wunderlist in 2015.

If you want to download some more apps designed to boost your productivity (both in the office and life in general) then check out our previous blog, 5 top productivity apps for iPhone.

 

Best app for… messaging

Do you regularly collaborate on projects with your colleagues? If so, you’ll know how important it is to be able to communicate with your team members at all times – even when you aren’t in the same place as them.

Slack is a great app for connecting you with your colleagues. Available to download for free on both app stores, and with a desktop version available, Slack lets you assign channels to different projects, teams and clients, and you can have individual and team conversations.

It also integrates with other tools (such as Google Drive) for more effective collaboration.

Best app for… note taking

It’s always the way that the very best ideas come to you at less-than-ideal times – i.e. when you’re out for dinner, or in the middle of the night!

With Evernote, you can record your big ideas straight away so you don’t forget them, with the app letting you input typed notes or scan in handwritten ones.

Evernote, available on both main stores, also lets you add to-dos, photos, images, web pages and audio clips. You can create planners and notebooks and organise, share and sync your notes across devices.

 

Best app for… storing files

Having all your documents stored on your office desktop isn’t so handy when you need access to them on-the-go! For this, Dropbox is a great app that lets you get to your files and projects, fast, wherever you are.

Dropbox enables you to share big files with ease, including videos and photos, and keep up-to-date with what your team is doing using the ‘activity’ feature.

Dropbox’s scanner is a relatively new addition to the app, allowing you to scan documents and upload pictures from your smartphone in fewer steps.

Best app for… time tracking

If you feel like you’re not utilising your time to the best of your abilities while in the office, why not let your phone double up as your own personal time tracker?

The Hours Time Tracker app lets you easily create simple timers that track named tasks in real time.

It boasts a visual timeline, smart reminders, reporting and an easy-to-use interface – you can start and stop the timer on tasks with just a simple tap, or by using Siri.

There are different versions of the app, but you’ll want the ‘Professional’ edition if you’re using it for work.

 

Find the best phone insurance in the UK

With your smartphone now loaded with apps, make sure it’s covered with quality insurance courtesy of Gadget Cover.

We can provide insurance for your phone if it’s less than 18 months. Once purchased, there’s no limit to how long your gadget can be covered.

You also need to make sure your device is in good condition and full working order, and that you’re able to provide proof of ownership.

For peace of mind that your smartphone is well protected against life’s little mishaps, get insurance with Gadget Cover today.

Get a quote – and in the meantime, why not check out our other blog on 12 iPhone apps to improve your life?