Today’s world is mobile-hot, and we now treat our smartphones and tablets like an extension of our bodies. Apps open the power of your mobile device like never before.

Many apps have the ability to increase your productivity, build relationships with customers more (great for relationship marketing), save you money, and make life a lot easier.

All of the apps I’m listing are available on iOS (my choice), and many are also available on Android. Check it out to see what applies in your unique situation.

Here are some that you’ll want to consider:

• Waze

Crowd sharing road and travel information. This app is one you’ll want to have so you know about traffic delays where you are (not just where the local radio station is reporting), when police are in the area, best prices for gas around you and more. It is free, and can help you get where you’re going more efficiently.

• Uber, Lyft, Arcade City

I’ve used Uber and Lyft at various places around the world and have consistently had not just good, but great experiences. I’m looking forward to getting to know Arcade City as well. At home or on the road, these are apps you want on your smartphone.

• Doorman

What do you do when you are at work all day and you don’t have anyone to hold that important package that was delivered? Doorman holds your packages at their secure location for delivery to you between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. You can pay on a per-package basis or monthly. Nice for that extra touch of security on packages.

• What’sApp

This popular messaging app helps avoid nasty text charges that can get out of hand. It is a great way to send messages to others internationally. After one year free, the charge is 99 cents. So for less than $1 annually, you have unlimited messages. We call this a no-brainer.

• Google Translate, Bing Translate

I’ve used both of these and love them. If you travel outside of a country that speaks your native language, or you need to connect with people who don’t speak your native tongue, one or both of these are essential.

I’ve used Google Translate to communicate with internet technicians in Mexico and it was fabulous.

• Duolingo

Speaking of learning languages, I am using this tool to learn Spanish. It has many other languages and it’s designed to be easy, educational and fun (important).

• Wikipedia — on Mobile

This can help you during those conversations when friends ask you “So who was the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms?” You’ll proudly be able to say “Grover Cleveland” and be right. Wikipedia also has a few other benefits.

• Evernote Scannable

Wow! I used this recently for scanning cards I collected at conventions. It also put the cards into my contacts and into Evernote. For serious relationship marketers, this is a great tool to build relationships and have info you need.

• Google Docs

What a great tool to keep those notes, grocery lists, and other data you’ll need from time to time. Bonus — you can share this with key people, and everyone benefits.

• Google Sheets

Ditto Google Docs (above) but oriented to numbers and the kind of tasks you’ll do with Microsoft Excel.

• Google Drive

I use this to share files with others. Do you need to share a very large file that can’t be sent via e-mail? Here’s your new-found buddy.

• iHeart Radio

I love this to catch up on local stations when traveling. Also great to get just the right kind of music (relaxing, classical, whatever) to suit your current mood. Great information sources as well.

• Netflix

I’m convinced this mobile app was specifically designed for the legions of us who need to spend evenings alone in a distant hotel room from time to time. Got a Netflix subscription? Get this and enjoy some good videos at the end of one of those days on the road.

• Feedly, Flipboard, Apple News

All of these apps provide a way for you to read current news and articles from blogs and magazines you enjoy. This is a great way to stay updated on those areas that are most important to you. I use Flipboard the most, but love all three of these.

• iBooks, Kindle

These are two of my favorites. Coupled with the great resources of PDF files, ePub and Mobi files on the Net, you can feed your brain and learn how to serve customers in business. They don’t call them this, but I see both of these as tools to enhance relationship marketing.

• Yelp

Is that restaurant any good? Is that retail outlet worth a visit? Find out what friends and people just like you say about their experience. Yelp has changed the face of retail and other businesses. Tap into it. Bonus — find out what people are saying about your company and connect with them.

• YouTube Capture

Want to create a video quickly and easily and then place it on YouTube? Here’s your ticket. Make sure you have good connections to the Net and you’re a roving movie maker.

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