25 of the best apps for a better life and business

With a little digital integration and the right hardware, a world of productivity improvements and hacks can now be yours.

Day after day, app developers are bending their skills to provide solutions to business dilemmas, small and large, or merely help accomplish tasks that would normally be complex or time consuming. Chances are, if you can think it, there is an app that can help you do it.

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While there may not be a "one ring to rule them all" app that will take care of every task you could desire, with a curated collection of appropriate apps you can hack many areas of your life and reap the benefits.

Integration with your wrist

The addition of a smartwatch into your digital productivity regimen brings with it a world of hands-free possibilities. Like having a personal assistant on your wrist, you can make small improvements in productivity with a simple glance and a swipe or a tap. With voice interaction, many apps take on a surprisingly comprehensive life, and may leave you wondering how you ever survived without them.

Although a smartwatch app may comprise simplified features compared to the smartphone version of the app, you'll find critical tasks and interactions just a tap away, leaving your phone in your pocket or on the desk.

A matter of logistics

Getting from A to B, or navigating through an unknown city, can sometimes be a chore. When you add the possibility of road works, public transport faults or a traffic collision, your favourite route can suddenly see you late or worse, never arrive at all.

You can put these days behind you now, thanks to real-time navigation apps. Covering a variety of transport modes – from public transport, to road and air travel – there are many apps to help you navigate through your travels. Some will even offer you coffee when you hit the airport business lounge.

Let's get automated

With the increasing amount of connected devices in our lives comes an increasing amount of possibilities to improve everyday tasks. Thanks to a number of automation apps, that connect either to other apps or to other devices, letting your smart device take care of time-consuming or menial chores is now a reality.

For example, you could set up an app to automatically switch on your computer when you enter the office each day, or maybe just order a double-shot latte with vanilla syrup from your favourite café at the same time each day. Saving time is the key here, and automated tasks are limited only by your imagination.

Health and wellbeing

Nothing beats a little exercise to keep you at the top of your game. It can clear the mind, reduce stress and lift your energy. Even a quick run during your lunch break can be enough to stimulate enough endorphins to pick you up for the remainder of the day.

Naturally, there are a number of apps to ensure you stay on course and track your stats to meet daily exercise requirements. From dedicated running and cycling trackers to seven-minute workouts, there's an app for any time window in your schedule.

Check out our gallery above for the best 25 apps to improve your day in the office, travelling on the road or even exercising.

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