Thus far I’ve managed to avoid writing this post, but because I get frequent requests from artists and creative-folk wanting to know how I use my iPhone, (REALLY?!?!), I decided to give this one a whirl.
I’ve been using the iPhone 3G since July, and I’ve found it to be an indispensable part of my productivity arsenal. I wrote a blog post recently about my perpetual struggle between paper and electronic planning. I recently posted my final comment on the subject by stating that the iPhone has taken care of most of my concerns. (There’s still the matter of having a central repository via which I can record, track and expound on my ideas, but I’m currently building one of those. More to come on this later.)
So…to the apps. Here are my top five (or six):
1. Omnifocus. This is my “GTD” app of choice. I use it on both my iPhone and on my Macbook Pro to track all of my projects, actions and hair-brained “someday I might get around to this” ideas. It syncs seamlessly to the iPhone and allows for me to keep up-to-date with all of my outstanding commitments. In true GTD fashion, I can also track all of my actions by both project and context, plus there is a handy “due date” function to remind me of urgent items.
2. Evernote. I’m writing this post in it. I use it to collect interesting things, notes, clip web pages, take quick snapshots of books or intriguing stimulus, etc. It syncs with the Evernote for Mac app so all of my notes, incomplete blog posts, etc., are with me everywhere I go. It’s quite handy, and it’s free. (Oh…did I mention it’s free?)
3. Jott. For those quick “I want to use this later” ideas, I frequently use Jott. It allows me to record a short voice note that will be transcribed and placed back on my iPhone for later reference. (You can also use Jott to send notes directly to Evernote. Quite handy…)
4. Tweetie. This is by far the best app I’ve found for keeping up with my tweeps on Twitter. It allows me to track tweets, replies and direct messages as well as having the ability to manage multiple accounts. (By the way, are you following me on Twitter?)
5. WriteRoom. This is one of my favorite apps for Mac, and now there’s also a version on the iPhone. WriteRoom’s beauty is its simplicity. It operates in full screen mode on the mac, essentially blocking out all distractions. The iPhone app is similar in its simplicity and also allows for landscape typing so I will often use it for longer-form writing on iPhone. The only limitation currently is that it does not sync WriteRoom docs between Mac and iPhone, but it does offer the option of emailing text to yourself for later editing.
6 (BONUS APP). Newsstand. I use this to track all of my RSS feeds on iPhone. I prefer it’s usability over other readers I’ve tried. It doesn’t allow syncing to NewsGator like NetNewsWire (which I use on Mac) but it feels better to me in use.
So…all of you creative iPhone types…what are your top five apps? What else should I try?
Not sure I can find five (productive) apps, but I think Oblique Strategies should be mentioned. They’ve made a free edition of the Brian Eno/Peter Schmidt diliemma/deadlock-breaking deck of cards for iPhone.
Screenshots and link to download
Great call, Chris. I love that deck and didn’t realize that there is an iPhone version.
Some nice aps. I am new to GTD and was looking around. I have decided to plant my flag and choose Things. It is $10 and pretty easy inteface and they have a desktop version for Mac which is in Beta mode. It used Word Tags to sort out for easy search and it syncs with the iphone, though it doesn’t keep the same order of projects as you set it up on the desktop ap.
I also use Splash ID since I keep forgetting my passwords and web log ins.
Great apps. A couple of my favorites are Remote. It quickly allows me to control my desktop iTunes music via my iPhone when I’m not at my desk and working at my drafting table across the room. I also like the app Dropbox. By signing up for a FREE ( that’s right!) account at DropBox.net, I can download the app and access files via my iPhone and an internet browser anywhere. Only downside… you must install the Dropbox app on your desktop and any files you “DROP” in that folder will be available.
@Blair, Things looks really interesting and simple to use. I tried it early in the beta, but haven’t tried it in about a year. I’ll check it out.
@Roy, I’ve heard GREAT things about Dropbox…Guy Kawasaki was raving about it as well. I’ll have to check it out as well.
I havent had a chance to use OmniFocus but I do use “Things” also – it is a great GTD app that synches wireless with your Mac. It is realllly simple and helps me focus on deadlines.
Also I use SugarSynch. The Iphone app is free but the desktop app is paid. This app allows cloud backup for all my files. The iPhone app is helpful to find photo that I am looking for or show samples to clients.
Bonus… Wordpress app. This is a great way to start blog posts and gather ideas right into your blog admin.
Great list. I’ve been scared off from OmniFocus’ price tag as I haven’t used their software in other capacities, but I think I’ll give them a shot after reading this. One app I have grown to love is Color Expert. It allows me to create a color palette from photos I have on the phone (taken or uploaded). Obviously not a replacement for my desktop computer, but fantastic for pulling a palette from random inspiration I see in person (walking around town, at the park, etc), emailing the palette, and having it to work from when I get back to the office.
Thanks for the post!
An app I’ve been playing with for a couple days is called Instaviz. It’s great for mind-mapping. You use your finger to draw the shapes and links. The app then cleans them up and resizes them to fit nicely into the diagram. I’m impressed so far. What I really like about this app over the other mind-mapping apps is that you can have a link go back to a previous shape to make a complete circuit. With the other mind-map apps I’ve used, a new link always has to go to a new shape.
Todd, wondering if you compared Things and Onmifocus and if so why you landed on omnifcus… trying to decide right now between them….
thanks for this great post and the many ideas and apps….
Kevin
@Kevin, there are several reasons why I landed on Omnifocus. (1) It is much more of a professional grade app. It allows “start on” for projects and tasks, “due dates”, allows the attachment of files and recordings, etc., and seems to be a “smarter” app overall. (The obvious downside is that you pay for all of that…) (2) It functions much more like I do. The contextual listing of tasks and projects , the ability to flex how lists display, etc., is indispensible to me as I have dozens and dozens of projects happening at once. (3) the iPhone integration is, though sometimes slow, flawless. I can do most anything on the iPhone that I can do on the Mac.
The obvious downside of Omnifocus is the price. You’ll spend close to $100 to get the Mac/iPhone combination, but I use it everyday (as much as Evernote…
) and it is the only way I currently stay above water.
Just my 2cents. Things is a great app, just not (at the time I demoed it) quite what I was looking for.
Thanks for that. Very timely. I just bit the bullet and bought an I phone…this is a great help thanks : )
Good to see a little “under the hood” type stuff here, Todd. I downloaded Evernote and gave up on the first try but will give it a go again.
Recently, I, too, wrote my “iPhone apps post.” Take a look at here (it’s about helpful apps for Production).
http://christophermingryan.typepad.com/thewaywewatch/2009/03/4-must-have-iphone-apps-and-links-for-video-production.html
@chrismingryan