A look back at 2010: Apps I began using

Twenty-ten was a busy year for both developers and myself. Here’s a look at some of the apps I began using.

• **Pandora **– The most cost effective and least stressful way of listening to music. I create a a “playlist” that infinitely fills itself up based on the song, genre, or artist that I’m in the mood for. I tell it what I want to listen to and it does the rest. It automatically knows what type of music is related and plays it, and because I have an iPhone, I don’t have to buy music to carry it around because–yes–there’s an app for that. Check out Pandora here.
• **Kaleidoscope **– The best looking file comparison tool available. Not the cheapest app, but a great one nonetheless for quickly viewing changes between different versions of files and images. It’s very polished and if I highly recommend it. Check out Kaleidoscope app.
• **Square **– Typically when collecting money from clients, roommates, or customers I’d only be able to accept cash or checks. In 2010 I received my little square card reader and was able to accept credit cards without any monthly fees, commitments, or minimums. It hangs off my keychain and works directly with my iPhone (also works with Android). An innovative way to accept credit card payment wherever you are and for whatever reason. Check out Square.
• **Use Reminders **– I can’t remember everything! Like I said, it was a busy year so being able to set reminders and forget about them was great. When the time was right I’d be reminded and carry on with my less stressful life. I can’t tell you the amount of times this has saved my ass. Check out Use Reminders – it’s really neat!

Just as I began using a few new apps this year, I also discontinued the use of a few. I no longer use Things for Mac and iPhone nearly as much as I used to. It’s not that it is any less of a great app, it really is, but it just doesn’t fit into my work flow any more. I was trying to figure out ways to use it and eventually the to do list of things became overwhelming. I started procrastinating more because the things I needed to do were on the list and weren’t going any where.

Now, I no longer use things and I’m more productive because of it. It sounds odd that by stop using a to-do list app that I would become more productive, but it’s true. The reason is simple: if I have something that I need to do, I get started immediately or I set myself a reminder (using Use Reminders) to start at a later date. If you just get started on something, I’ve found that it gets done and you don’t get the “procrastination stress” that goes along with big lists.

What did you start using in 2010 that you’re still using now?