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Since getting my hands on my new Intel 2 in 1 laptop (read my full review of the HP Envy x2 here) I’ve had plenty of time to explore and find out which new apps will become part of my daily life. I’ve seen tons of lists that offer the same suggestions: Facebook, Evernote, Twitter…don’t we already know about those? And I’d wager if you want to use them, you already are. I wanted to try some newer, lesser known apps; tools that would make my Intel laptop more than entertainment. After working my way through several tries and fails, here are 5 Windows 8 Apps (I think) You’ll Actually Use.
1. Trello
What It Is: A project management system and visual list organizer that offers team interaction and communication.
Why You’ll Want to Use It: Trello is visual. Unlike other management systems that require clicking through boring calendars to view your tasks, Trello is more like a whiteboard for your computer. Project boards put your to-do lists front and center, accessible at a glance by you and your team, family or friends. Do you like to jot ideas on the fly? Create idea cards that you can easily organize into boards and lists later when you have a more time. You can also sync your pc app to your phone app and have all the same functions on the go. Trello is effective for a wide range of users from large project managers to business owners to families keeping track of who needs to be where and when. [ price: Free ]
2. Bloom Diary
What It Is: A new take on the personal diary. Bloom features books for a chapter viewing format, the option for multiple books, search by keyword, image insertion, tags, location information and more.
Why You’ll Want to Use It: After trying many different personal journal apps, Bloom finally taps into your need to organize and easily retrieve what you’ve recorded. By using tags, separate books and keyword search, you can retrieve past memories and thoughts easily. You can also download, print and email copies so it’s a great starter app for writing your first book or memoir. The editor is similar to MS Word and the interface is beautifully designed in a way that provides a fresh twist on the traditional black text on a white background. [ price: Free ]
3. Flipboard
What It Is: Your own personalized magazine. A way to collect all of your favorite website and social content in one spot for easy, visual browsing.
Why You’ll Want to Use It: Flipboard isn’t new, but I think it’s often forgotten even though it’s still a very useful tool for both entertainment and time management. You have a ton of blogs and websites you love to browse, but time is precious. It can take hours to load and surf everywhere you want to read, but with Flipboard you can see the best content – preselected by you – quickly and easily in one place. It also works with social media so you can view updates and shares from your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and many more. [ price: Free ]
4. Kahn Academy
What It Is: Free, online learning for both K-12 and adults, featuring over 6,000 videos.
Why You’ll Want to Use It: No matter if you’re a homeschool parent looking for new ways to introduce lessons, a public school parent keeping your child’s mind active during the summer, or an adult who just wants to brush up on world history – this app has information and instruction for everyone. Browse and select from thousands of videos on K-12 math, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, history, finance and more. Freshen your brain power, prepare for your SATs or just beat the summer slide. [ price: Free ]
5. Songza
What It Is: A Free music service with a twist and 100% free of audio ads.
Why You’ll Want to Use It: While there are plenty of free music streaming services available, Songza goes one step further. While most services are limited to creating a playlist by genre or artist, Songza gives you prearranged lists according to what you are doing. Going for a Sunday drive? Hosting dinner? Trying to meet a work deadline? Songza has a list that is perfect for your setting, featuring everything from current hits to classical relaxation. It can also help you get in the mood you want to be in with lists like “Feel Confident”, “Get Motivated” and more. If you are a parent, you also know that some streaming music services don’t filter according to age and you can suddenly be surprised by some colorful lyrics (lyrics that your 5 year old then sings at the top of his or her lungs for the next hour). Songza takes care of that by offering family friendly lists so you can relax and not worry about what’s coming next. The best part: absolutely NO AUDIO ADS to interrupt your tunes. [ price: Free ]
What are your favorite Windows 8 apps? Share them on the RJ Facebook page or Tweet to @RemakingJune so we can try them out!
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