Escape the Home Office with iPhone Apps
By Grace Bonney (from Design*Sponge) on May 14, 2010
No matter what type of home business you're running, it's crucial to be able to leave the house sometimes. Whether you're heading out for client meetings or something more fun like an afternoon at the park, the problem is always the same: who's going to take care of things while you're gone? 
1. Wordpress
Whether you run a blog full-time or just need to make update's to your company's blog while you're out and about, I find the Wordpress blog to be for the most part AMAZING. It's fast, rarely crashes, allows you to see, edit, publish, and respond to comments in lightening fast time (it also lets you post, edit posts and upload pictures). If you're involved in blogging this is a must. I update this app every 15-20 min while I'm running around town and within minutes I can relax and know that there aren't a mass of commenters angry because I'm not letting them talk.
Similar options: If you're not on Wordpress there's also: TypePad, and the usual suspects, but I really love iblogger too (it covers everything from LifeType and Blogger to Moveable Type)
2. Zipcar
I have to use rental cars on a fairly regular basis to get to out of the way locations for design shows, shop visits, etc. Zipcar has been an absolute life-saver. As long as I have my card with me I can make and modify a reservation and even open a car door with my iPhone app. Priceless if you're someone who's business plans can change at the drop of a hat.
3. Voice Memos
This feature comes with the iphone, but along with email, phone, and texting, this is really important for me. I'm often inspired to come up with new content or ideas for my business while I'm out and sometimes my fingers just can't keep up with my head, so I use Voice Memos to keep things in tact until I can get home and work on things.
4. OpenTableOpenTable? Yep, I use this pretty frequently for work, which is great because I can rack up OT points and use them for free meals down the line. I have to meet with a fair amount of people for my job and I'm often left picking places to eat or make last minute reservations because shop owners or designers are coming in from out of town. Rather than have an assistant (not that I have one) call and arrange things I just pop open this app, pick a time and place, and secure reservations instantly and now my lunch date thinks I'm magically a NYC restaurant queen.
5. Echofon
Social networking is a crucial part of most new media businesses and it's pretty much essential to mine. I use it religiously as a way to get instant feedback from my readers, and to relay information I'm receiving real time. I think almost every business should have a presence on Twitter and Echofon is a great way to do that easily from your phone. It will also let you upload a photo from your phone so you can take pictures of products, people- anything you need, and get it to your customers/clients/readers as quickly as possible.
6. I have to update/approve/write documents on the go sometimes, and it's tough to do that via email. And this app (which admittedly is on the pricier scale for apps- $14.99) makes it possible. Ever tried updating an Excel list on the go? It's MUCH easier with this app.
7. Skype
I have editors at my site who live abroad and sometimes to match their time zones I need to talk to them while I'm out. If you've got clients abroad, check in via Skype and save yourself some time and money.
Last but not least, this is a new addition to my phone and I LOVE it. JotNot turns your phone into a portable scanner and lets you skip a frantic trip to Kinko's.
For the ultimate on-the-go solution, I've heard that Remote Desktop is a great solution. i haven't tried it yet, but my friends who use it ask why I haven't downloaded it yet. I think if I did I might never go home. Accessing my laptop from home? Why would I ever skip working from the park?
New options for working on your phone seem to be popping up every day (thank you, developers!) so I'm always looking for great new apps. What are some of your favorites?
What apps do you use to escape the home office?
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Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design run by Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney. Launched in August of 2004, Design*Sponge features store and product reviews, sale and contest announcements, new designer profiles, trend forecasting and store/studio tours. In addition, Design*Sponge features a unique section dedicated to covering student design, national and international design shows. The site is updated constantly throughout the day (with an average of 6-10 posts a day) and attracts a core group of devoted readers. Design*Sponge currently has over 20,000 daily readers.
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