The Productive Commute Top 10

When I started working at VaynerMedia, I had just gotten the iPhone 3GS and as such, discovered the vast amount of available apps rather quickly. Working for a firm that focuses so heavily on social media, I naturally downloaded Facebook and Twitter apps immediately. But as time went on, and the number of commutes in and out of New York City stacked up, the point of my purchases went from “productivity related” to “boredom aversion.” I started downloading different games that I would mindlessly play on the commute to and from work. Rather quickly, I realized that not only was this a waste of money, but it was a horrendous waste of time. This epiphany made me realize that the time on the train, albeit surrounded by people who were sleeping, talking, drunk or some combination of all three, was really valuable because it was an unclaimed chunk of my day, a chunk that sometimes lasted several hours and I should be using this time to make myself an all-around more productive person. In that spirit, I deleted the games from my phone and started downloading apps that would help me achieve this goal. So here is my “Productive Commute Top 10 List”.
(*all ratings and prices as of 3/16/2010. Ratings via the App Store.)

WhatTheFont
Price: Free
Stars: 2.5/5
Description: This is a really cool app, especially for bloggers who are really into the aesthetic feel of their page. When you see a font that you like, either on the computer or in person, you open up this app and take a picture of the letters you like. The app asks for some quick input from you and then provides a list of similar fonts. Anyone who’s gone looking for a font without the name can appreciate the amount of time this can save you. I think the fact that the app doesn’t always bring up the exact font every time can explain the rather low rating. However, I think the fonts it does come back with are close enough and sometimes you end up finding one that you like better (plus it’s free).

Wordpress
Price: Free
Stars: 3.5/5
Description: A great app, specifically because of the vast number of bloggers who use Wordpress for their blogs. It has all the features of Wordpress for no cost. Perfect for an impromptu post on a time sensitive topic or approving/disapproving comments. The only bad thing is that it doesn’t include the traffic stats for your blog; you have to pay $3 for a separate app.

Awesome Note (+todo)
Price: $3.99
Stars: 4/5
Description: Especially for disorganized, spontaneous people, this app is great. Not only does it allow you to organize your to-do list, but it also supports notes for quick ideas whenever they may pop up. The main folder page comes with tabs titled “Hello”, “My Idea”, “Study”, “Shopping”, “To-Do List”, “Work” and “Travel Diary;” however, the user can add any folder they think is appropriate.  I personally love this app, as it has effectively “un-chaosed” my life.

Tweetie 2
Price: $2.99
Stars: 4/5
Description: If you have an iPhone and a Twitter account, odds are you are well aware of all the Twitter apps on the market. In my opinion, Tweetie 2 is the best out there because it is phenomenally user-friendly and can easily support multiple Twitter accounts. Don’t be fooled by its more expensive competitors.

WorldCard Mobile
Price: $5.99
Stars: 3.5/5
Description: If you’re chatty with your fellow train-riders during your commute like I am, this app is a must. Not only does it allow you to effectively manage your contacts but it prevents you from losing their info (which has happened to me before – it’s a huge bummer). Just open the app, take a picture of the card and hit “recognize.” All the info on the card is automatically classified as a contact in your phonebook.

Tips and Tricks- iPhone Secrets
Price: $0.99
Stars: 3/5
Description: A cool app, especially for the new user; even if you’ve had your iPhone for a while, this app can help you learn tricks and shortcuts to make sure you’re as efficient as possible. It includes advice that most people can figure out on their own, but when going through the content, most people are bound to have that “oh, that’s how you do that” moment. I had mine regarding the best way to use my voice-control function, and it helped make sure that it was a feature I could depend on.

Mashable
Price: Free
Stars: 3.5/5
Description: A great way to stay up to date with all the stories on Mashable. Their app enables the user to not only view stories that are breaking on the website, but also by categories, tags and authors. Specifically for those working in this industry, it’s a must, especially since it’s free.

JotNot
Price: $4.99
Stars: 3.5/5
Description: Basically, JotNot allows you to use your iPhone camera to take a pic of a document, specify the size of the page and then convert into a email attachment. This not only takes scanning items mobile, but it makes it way less of a hassle. “Scanned” items are surprisingly clear. I really like this app, though it’s not one that I use on a daily basis. However, when I have to use it, it’s irreplaceable.

9,000 Awesome Facts
Price: $0.99
Stars: 4/5
Description: This app is very different than the rest on this list, but I put it in here because it does enhance the user. Instead of zoning out, you can peruse 9,000 random facts. These may not make you that much more productive, but you’ll certainly be more knowledgeable.

Dropbox
Price: Free
Stars: 4/5
Description: Dropbox is a fantastic tool for sharing various files on your internal network. With this app, you can easily access, download or edit those files from your iPhone.  Especially with time sensitive situations, you can rely on this app to get what you need ASAP without having to use your laptop or desktop. Considering the price (or lack thereof), this is a must-have for anyone with a DropBox account.