Tag Archives: productivity
Can Evernote make a comeback?
Google Workspace is the new name for Google’s productivity suite
Sorry Post-it notes, we are moving onto digital sticky notes!
Yes, we all have notes on our phones but has that phased out the use of paper and pen at our work desks? Nope, in fact, most people still prefer to write down their to-do lists because checking it off is gratifying. As a reflex, we always tend to frantically search for a notepad to jot down a number, address, meeting feedback, last-minute lists, or notes during a class. To integrate this existing behavior with the technology we already use, designer Jeong Woo Kim created Ouverture – a conceptual keyboard accessory that is a number pad + a digital notepad when you flip the cover. It has a typing mode which is the number pad and a memo mode which is the writing pad. “The leather cover acts as a number pad on a conventional keyboard. Current from the fingertips passes through the special conductive fiber to the touchpad inside the leather cover,” explains Kim.
A quick survey showed that 98% of people take notes when they are working on computers and 70% of them said it is uncomfortable and 34% complained that their desk tends to get messy or notes tend to get lost. With a device like Ouverture, your notes are saved as image files and your desk remains clutter-free. But it would be interesting if technology also lets you convert it into text for easier transfer of information. Another important point to consider if this goes into production is to make sure it is modular so that the left-handed demographic can also be included – we all deserve to have a chance at being more efficient! Ouverture comes with a magnetic pen on the side so that you don’t need to look for pen or paper anymore – it retains the tactile experience and incorporates it with our digital lifestyle without us having to learn any new behaviors. No more messy desks, paper waste, or lost memos!
Designer: Jeong Woo Kim
Evernote’s completely redesigned iOS app arrives today
Upgrade your work from home game with this gadget that is a Fitbit for productivity!
The pandemic has changed the way we work permanently and that is a lot to adjust to overnight! Right from managing your work from home set up, ensuring that you are not disturbed during calls, probably sharing your space with others, and also doing chores – it is the several tiny things that pile up high enough to tower over your productivity which is even more fragile given the crisis we are all going through. Fun fact: an average employee gets distracted at least 56 times a day and now that we have our pets and Netflix around work, distraction counts are on the rise. TimeChi is a smart tool that can help us sail through those endless Zoom calls and Slack pings!
Productivity is a flexible skill, you can continue to develop and master it just the way you exercise and build up your fitness. A study shows that 80% of our disturbances are trivial and can be avoided with awareness. TimeChi is a compact desk gadget that takes care of one of the biggest distractions we all face – it blocks digital notifications from IM or your smartphone, time-wasting websites, and physical interruptions! That itself could save up to twp hours from my day and I actually tested it out by putting timers on my apps to see how it would reduce my screen time during work hours. It takes 11 minutes to get your focus and attention back and while it is so tempting to see what meme your friend sent or to play a 15-second game with the filter, it unknowingly makes your day longer and eventually pushes your work into your personal time which right now is more precious than ever. “The app + device combo empowers you to reach your productivity potential, facilitate meaningful team collaborations, and boost creativity with a simple click on the TimeChi device,” says the team.
TimeChi is built around the widely used Pomodoro technique and timeboxing. It puts these two tried and tested productivity hacks into one smart, connected device. I am a personal fan of the Pomodoro timer, you sit with a task for 25 minutes at a time with 5-minute breaks in the middle of each task. One cycle of a 25-minute task and a 5-minute break equals one Pomodoro, after you finish four Pomodoros you can take a 15-minute break. TimeChi uses a bright traffic light display that makes it clear even in your peripheral vision or to those sharing your space that you’re in the middle of a deep-work session, this also helps set those focus boundaries during work hours and tells them when you will be taking a break so they can come back. The personal gadget is also fully customizable, it works for students and professionals to set the focus periods and track their performance on the personalized TimeChi dashboard. We can all use a digital timeout after the last few months of digital overload!
Designer: TimeChi
Chrome’s new tab grouping feature brings order to chaos
Google Docs is adding Spanish-language grammar suggestions
This work from home office is the best investment for 2020!
Home offices are trending like we are in the 90s and its neon fashion – everyone is doing it (not like we had a choice) and it has been a long overdue Pinterest project for so many! Designers all over the world have been inspired to created innovative and productivity-enhancing work from home product designs that range from furniture to modular pods. The latest one to catch our eye was the Zen Work Pod because in 2020 you don’t need a shed in your backyard, you rather have a warm minimalist office instead!
The company behind this work shed has been acing the game when it comes to well-designed office furniture like flexible desks and ergonomic chairs. The Zen Work Pod was a culmination of their furniture design mission clubbed with the need of the hour. The minimalist backyard structure is a stark contrast to the existing toolsheds, it is a modern workspace equipped with all essentials needed for a ‘zen’ workday. “It provides a fresh solution that completely redefines the home office, providing maximum focus during every working hour,” says the team who especially kept creators and freelancers in mind while designing it. The pod features floor-to-ceiling windows and an angular roof all wrapped in a sturdy oak, walnut, and aluminum structure. It is compact but the minimal build and sweeping windows make it feel spacious.
The pod comes with organized shelves, drawers plus the company’s Smartdesk 2 and Kinn chair. While it doesn’t have an air conditioning unit, there are electrical provisions and space to install one if you need it. The warm woody interiors give it a comfortable vibe if you have to spend your whole day working in a shed. If you have a backyard, this office space is worth investing in as we move towards a more flexible lifestyle where work from home will be a normal option even if you aren’t a freelancer or creator. It provides a dedicated space for you to focus and can double up as a Netflix den if you want to binge-watch a thriller without distractions! Its called work-play balance.
Designer: Autonomous
