From GPS navigation to Stack Browser, here are 16 answers to the question, “What are your favorite tech solutions that have improved your life immediately and how?”
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- GPS Navigation Apps
- Virtual Meeting Tools
- Grocery Delivery Services
- AI Spellcheckers
- Online Learning Platforms
- Virtual Assistants (VA)
- Language Learning Apps
- Google Calendar
- Smartwatches With a Step Counter
- Digital File Organization
- AI Personal Assistants Such as Siri and Alexa
- The Remarkable 2
- Password Managers
- Smart Home Assistants
- Mobile Banking Apps
- Stack Browser
GPS Navigation Apps
Apps like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps have simplified traveling to and discovering new areas. These applications give us access to detailed instructions, up-to-the-minute traffic reports, and suggestions for local hotspots.
In addition, the convenience of GPS navigation apps has facilitated the efficient organization of travel plans. These apps allow me to do things like determine the quickest route to my location, avoid traffic, and find out when I will arrive. And because both applications feature offline maps, we can use them even when there’s spotty or no cell service.
Gerrid Smith, Chief Marketing Officer, Joy Organics
Virtual Meeting Tools
In the age of remote work and online communication, I believe virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams have become indispensable. With video and audio conferencing, these capabilities have made it possible to have meetings, webinars, and interviews from anywhere in the world. Virtual meeting tools have also simplified collaboration and communication with colleagues and clients without the need to travel or meet in person.
These technologies, for example, can exchange documents, presentations, and screens, as well as to record and save meetings for future reference. Furthermore, these technologies include features such as breakout rooms, chat, and polls, which increase participant involvement and participation.
Edward Mellett, Co-founder, Wikijob
Grocery Delivery Services
In my case, the tech solution that really improved my life was a grocery delivery service. Before using the service, I had to plan out trips to the store and use up precious time shopping for food, sometimes waiting in long lines.
Now I can quickly order my groceries online and have them delivered directly to my doorstep within a couple of days. It has saved me so much time and effort that would have been spent on food-related chores. Plus, it has made sure I have access to fresh ingredients whenever I need them.
Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing and Outreach Manager, PhotoAiD
AI Spellcheckers
Grammarly has made a massive difference in my day-to-day life. I’m sending off emails and messages throughout my day and drafting up documents regularly. With an AI-powered spelling and grammar checker, I can review and edit everything I write in moments. I’ll still manually review my writing before I press send or publish; I can skim rather than go over it with a fine-tooth comb because the software catches so much.
Ironically, it’s also helped me become a better writer through its writing suggestions. While some of what I wrote wasn’t incorrect, Grammarly helps me spot sentences that could be structured even better and avoid awkward verb tenses.
Ruben Gamez, Founder and CEO, SignWell
Online Learning Platforms
I believe that online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX have made it simple for me to learn new skills and gain information from the comfort of my own home. Using these platforms, I can access a large choice of courses and programs on a variety of themes, including business, technology, and personal development. Education has also become more affordable thanks to online learning systems.
For instance, I don’t have to worry about covering the cost of tuition or transportation to take classes at some of the world’s finest educational institutions. The fact that I can study whenever I want to thanks to the adaptability of these sites is a major selling point for me.
Kenny Kline, President and Financial Lead, BarBend
Virtual Assistants (VA)
I have to say, without a doubt, that the one tech solution that has improved my life immediately and in profound ways is a virtual assistant (VA). I’m sure most of you are familiar with these handy tools. It’s like having an extra set of hands around the house or office!
From mundane tasks such as scheduling appointments or ordering online goods to complex activities such as keeping track of deadlines and strategizing marketing plans—VAs can do it all! They automate everything, so businesses become more efficient while individuals save time on their daily routines. Even better, they often offer personalized settings tailored to your unique preferences.
I’ve noticed enormous improvements in both my career and personal relationships. I never forget birthdays anymore because my VA sends out gifts; I don’t miss any important emails since everything goes through my virtual assistant first.
Travis Lindemoen, Managing Director, nexus IT group
Language Learning Apps
Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone have made it simple to learn and practice new languages on the go. We can access interactive courses, exercises, and quizzes through these applications, as well as track our progress and establish goals. Language study applications have also made it simple for us to broaden our cultural horizons and connect with people of all origins and languages.
For example, we can use these apps to learn languages for vacation, employment, or personal enrichment, as well as to converse in local languages with friends and colleagues. Furthermore, these apps provide customized learning routes that are tailored to our level, pace, and interests.
Andrew Priobrazhenskyi, CEO and Director, Discount Reactor
Google Calendar
Using Google Calendar has improved my life in several ways.
First, it helps me stay organized and on top of my schedule. I can plan out my days and weeks ahead of time, so I know what’s coming up and when it’s going to happen.
Second, it helps me avoid double-booking myself and having to cancel plans last minute. When I’m planning out my schedule, I can see if there are any events or appointments that overlap—and if there are, I can move one to another day instead of having to cancel one altogether! This has saved me from missing out on some really grand plans that were just happening at the same time as something else in the past!
Thirdly (and most importantly), it helps me keep track of what’s going on in my life without having to rely on memory alone. If there are things that need to be done at certain times (like paying bills), then they go right into my calendar so that they don’t fall through the cracks and get forgotten about!
Rengie Wisper, Marketing Manager, Check CPS
Smartwatches With a Step Counter
Since I purchased my smartwatch with a step counter and heart rate monitor, my life has become significantly easier. Not only has it allowed me to stay on track with my fitness goals, such as aiming for a step goal daily and increasing it as time goes by, but it has also held me accountable for any lifestyle changes I wanted to make since I can now see how it is directly impacting my overall health.
The data from these two features helps me stay active and make better decisions about my overall wellness. The most immediate benefit I experienced was a newfound level of comfort knowing that I could easily check on both my physical activity and cardiac health from one device; a comforting and empowering feeling.
Kate Wojewoda-Celinska, Marketing Manager, Spacelift
Digital File Organization
One tech solution that has improved my life immediately is automatic document organization. Rather than endlessly sorting through digital clutter, this piece of software enables me to store and organize files in predetermined folders with ease.
Having an organized digital file structure not only for now but for the future as well has drastically reduced my stress levels—my uncommon example being a system of categorizing old photos by date or even location. Gone are the days when I trawl through thousands of pictures trying to find that one particular image in a disorganized folder. Instead, having access to automatically generated and labeled photo albums allows me to quickly identify what I am looking for without wasting hours piecing them back together again.
Kate Duske, Editor-in-Chief, Escape Room Data
AI Personal Assistants Such as Siri and Alexa
One tech solution that has improved my life immediately is using AI personal assistant applications. AI-powered personal assistants, such as Apple’s Siri or Amazon Alexa, make it easier to quickly access information and complete tasks without having to search through multiple apps or websites.
These virtual assistants are always listening for commands and can understand natural language, making accessing information and completing tasks much faster and more efficient. AI-powered personal assistants can also be used to give reminders, play music and podcasts, order food or products online, track fitness goals, and more.
Benjamin Okyere, Founder and CTO, Stress Reliever
The Remarkable 2
I’ve read five books so far in 2021 and take comprehensive notes on them while doing it all thanks to the ReMarkable 2. This e-note taker and reader has been the best tech solution for me this year because of the paper-feel it gives while reading and note-taking.
I prefer writing to typing, and ReMarkable 2 allows me to do this digitally, all while saving my notes securely. More than just the reading and note-taking, my productivity and brainstorming have also improved significantly.
Liam Liu, Co-founder and CMO, ParcelPanel
Password Managers
A password manager has improved my life immediately and dramatically. I can log in faster to all of my accounts with the browser extension and app on my phone. I have peace of mind knowing my passwords are all long, complex, and unique.
I use and recommend Bitwarden. They are the most secure cloud-based password manager. They are open source and use zero-knowledge encryption. Their free tier is spectacular.
James Wilson, Personal Cybersecurity Expert, My Data Removal
Smart Home Assistants
One tech solution that has improved the lives of many people is the smart home assistant. For me, it has been a game-changer. With just a voice command, I can control everything in my house, from the lights to the thermostat to the music playing.
Before I got my smart home assistant, I would have to get up and physically adjust everything, which was a hassle. Now, I can control everything from the comfort of my couch, or even from another room. But what I love most about my smart home assistant is the convenience it offers. I can set reminders for myself, create shopping lists, and even order takeout with just a few simple commands.
Overall, my smart home assistant has made my life easier and more convenient, allowing me to focus on the things that matter most.
Ben Basic, CMO, Get It Cleaned
Mobile Banking Apps
I’ve found that using banking apps on my phone has simplified my financial management while traveling. These apps allow me to manage my finances from the palm of my hand, whether I’m on the go.
As a result, I no longer have to waste time going to the bank or logging into my accounts online. Biometric verification (fingerprint, face, or voice recognition) and two-factor authentication are only two of the many security measures offered by mobile banking apps that make it more difficult for hackers to access my accounts.
Cindi Keller, Communications Coordinator, The Criminal Defense Firm
Stack Browser
The browser hasn’t evolved in ages, but we really see some changes in the browser industry.
Instead of having tabs that we keep opening and closing or using multiple apps with a messy overview on our computer, I chose Stack Browser.
I have all my apps collected in one app with a simple overview, and I never lose track of anything. It’s simply amazing.
My workspace is much cleaner, and I save time as I don’t have to keep all my apps updated and have everything collected in one space.
Phillip Stemann, Freelancer