A decade or two down the road we may consider “apps” to be the 2010s equivalent of 1980s shoulder pads and big hair. Spend a minute or two in the app store for your mobile device of choice, and you’ll uncover inane apps like iLickIt.

 

Fortunately, there are some actual productivity-boosting tools starting to shoulder their way through the pack of thousands of apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

 

LogMeIn Ignition ($29.95 for app, other monthly service charges may apply) – Although it might not be productive to access your computer from a mobile phone, devices such as an iPad or Android tablet have a large enough screen that you can e-mail yourself that file you left behind or carry out a quick task on your office computer. LogMeIn is a Web-based remote access service with both free and paid monthly plans. The Ignition app allows you to remotely control a Mac or PC and, depending on your remote access plan, even stream sound from your computer to your remote device.

 

SmartVault (free app, other monthly service charges may apply) – More and more accountants are moving to paperless environments. SmartVault offers Web-based document management services that integrate with QuickBooks. In turn, the free SmartVault app gives you access to your documents from anywhere, including iPhone, iPad, and Android device.

 

Square (free app, but transaction charges apply) – Square is a new service that enables you to accept credit cards from your Apple or Android mobile device. When you establish an account, Square sends you a card reader that attaches to the headphone jack of your device. To minimize risk, the service only works with card-present transactions, hence the reader, but payments are deposited as quickly as the next day.

 

Dropbox (free app, monthly service charges may apply)– Dropbox is a service that allows you to sync your files online and across multiple computers. The free iPhone, iPad, and Android apps enable you to access your files from anywhere, which includes uploading from or downloading to your device, as well as sharing links to files.

 

iDonatedIt ($2.99 for app) – BMG Certified Public Accountants broke new ground when they were the first CPA firm in the country to create a mobile app for the iPhone. Not resting on their laurels, the firm has now added iPad and Android versions of their app that tracks, values, and reports non-cash charitable donations for income tax purposes. Search the app store of your device to purchase.

 

WebEx (free app) – Running late for an online meeting? Jump in from anywhere with the free iPhone/iPad app, or use your Android device’s Web browser.