I absolutely love the fact that we now live in a world where you can access the world from your fingertips on a device that is slimmer than a pad of paper and offers the functionality of a computer. Back when the iPad first came out, I laughed at it, thought it was the worst idea ever, and assumed it would never take off. Years later, having owned an iPad and now a Samsung Galaxy Tab S, I openly admit that I was wrong. Tablets are an incredible tool… if you are using them for a productive purpose. Unfortunately, that’s where I disconnect slightly.
Tablets offer us handheld access to the world, but for most people they are largely used as an entertainment device – feeding us streaming video, handheld gaming, and other online content. Most of us struggle to do productive work on them, however, if you are open to changing your tablet behavior you will be more productive and get more work done!
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Buy A Bluetooth Keyboard
One of the main things productive people do when on a computer is use their keyboard as an input device. Whether blogging, responding to emails, or editing a document, the keyboard plays a crucial role in being productive. While tablets have screen-based keyboards, they are not very useful when you are writing in significant quantity. Instead, invest in a bluetooth keyboard for your tablet. The Logitech 920 for the iPad is a great compact and highly portable keyboard that will skyrocket your productivity on your tablet.
Use Google Now
Google Now has to be the most useful personal assistant on the market right now. The tool offers reminders, news, and other updates as they are deemed useful. For example, if you have a meeting downtown, Google Now will alert you when you need to leave to get there on time – it takes into account traffic or transit times as well. You can speak to Google Now and have it remind you to pick something up. Asking Google Now to remind you to get printer ink next time you are near Staples means you will get a notification the next time you’re nearby. It will also provide you with nearby restaurant recommendations, events, the weather, public alerts, stocks, and much more. It’s an incredibly productive thing to have on your tablet (and even more-so on your phone).
Use It As A Second Screen
No one says that you need to use the Tablet as a standalone device. Instead, you can invest in one of several apps that will allow you to use your tablet as a second screen for your laptop. iDisplay is probably the best of the bunch, offering both Android and iOS tablet owners the ability to pair the second screen. iDisplay is $10 on the Apple Store and $5 on the Google Play Store, and features similar functionality on both apps.
Delete The Games
While I understand how fun the games on a tablet are, the reality is that if you want to be productive you need to delete the distractions! Games are time wasters, and much like any distraction, the only way to do something productive is to get rid of it. Easier said than done, though!
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How have you increased your output via a tablet? Discuss below or send us a tweet @ViewTheVibe!