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I tested Remember The Milk, an effective and budget-friendly task management app
8:50 am | July 21, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Keeping up with your personal and professional duties can be daunting. From attending meetings to visiting gyms, working on corporate projects, and engaging in other daily activities, juggling them can be stressful, often causing people to miss some of these activities.

A task management app helps solve this problem. It lets you keep to-do lists and stay reminded about your essential duties. Remember the Milk is a popular to-do list app that I extensively tested to evaluate its features, pros, and cons, as well as how it fares against the competition. Read on to learn about this app’s benefits and whether it’s your ideal choice.

Remember the Milk: Plans and pricing

Remember The Milk has a simple pricing system. It’s a freemium tool, with free and paid versions.

The free version enables you to schedule and prioritize tasks, but it lacks advanced features, including the ability to add attachments to tasks, utilize color-coded tags, create subtasks, set reminders, and access offline mode. To unlock these advanced features, you require a premium subscription, which costs $50 annually.

I consider Remember The Milk’s pricing system a double-edged sword. On one hand, at $50 annually, the premium subscription is very affordable considering the features it provides. On the other hand, the free version has minimal features, making it unenjoyable.

I’ve tested many freemium task management tools, and the free versions usually include reminders, a key feature for prioritizing your tasks. However, on Remember The Milk, reminders are only available to premium users. I consider Remember the Milk worthwhile mainly when using the paid version; the free version feels limited.

Remember the Milk: Features

Remember The Milk offers the standard features you would expect in a task management app. You can quickly add tasks to your to-do lists and set due dates for them. As mentioned, reminders are only available as a premium feature, which I consider a drawback.

Remember The Milk

(Image credit: Remember The Milk)

You can set a due date, and Remember The Milk will send a push notification accordingly. You can set a task as recurring and receive reminders as needed, such as weekly or monthly.

I liked that I could add tasks directly from my Gmail inbox; this feature required downloading Remember The Milk's Gmail add-on first. This add-on allowed me to directly convert emails into tasks on my Remember The Milk dashboard and set due dates, without leaving the Gmail app.

I also appreciated Remember The Milk’s voice command capabilities, powered by Siri on the iOS app and Google Assistant on the Android app. You can instruct Siri or Google Assistant to create tasks directly on Remember The Milk. You can also ask questions about future tasks, e.g., "What's due today?"

Users can attach files to tasks, such as a spreadsheet or text document,. To do this, you'll connect a Dropbox or Google Drive account. Then, any file you upload will be added to your cloud storage on either app.

Remember The Milk doesn’t offer direct file storage like some competitors. It utilizes Dropbox and Google Drive as workarounds, which is expected given its low subscription price, as cloud storage is expensive to maintain and adds more costs for task management providers, which are then passed on to consumers.

If you’re migrating from another task management app, Remember The Milk makes the process easy. You can download your tasks in JSON format and upload them to Remember The Milk. All tasks and their specific details will be extracted and displayed on your dashboard.

This app also supports direct imports from two competitors: Todoist and Toodledo. Similarly, you can export your tasks in JSON format from Remember The Milk to another task management app.

You can break down a single task into multiple subtasks, although this feature is only for premium subscribers. Subtasks let you gain a clearer view by breaking down large tasks into more manageable components.

Remember the Milk 2

(Image credit: Remember the Milk)

Unlimited sharing is another notable feature. You can share your lists with other people by sending an email invitation. However, Remember The Milk stops at sharing lists. It doesn’t offer as many collaborative features as some competitors, such as the ability to let teams share a common workspace. It’s geared more towards personal than collaborative use.

Likewise, I liked Remember The Milk’s compatibility with the Apple Watch. If you use the iPhone app, you can connect it to your Apple Watch and receive reminders about important tasks. You can also add or review tasks through your Apple Watch.

Remember the Milk: Interface and in use

Remember The Milk has a user-friendly interface that is noticeably easy to interact with. Features are arranged neatly at the top and left corners, and you can quickly switch between different functionalities.

The app features a mix of light and dark blue colors, complemented by white to highlight tasks. Whether on the web interface or mobile app (iOS and Android), Remember The Milk feels very easy to navigate.

Remember The Milk 3

(Image credit: Remember The Milk)

Remember the Milk: Support

You can check Remember The Milk’s Help Center to troubleshoot issues. This Help Center includes detailed guides, tips, and tricks concerning its software. You'll likely find solutions to common issues in this platform.

You can also visit the official Help Forum, where users provide answers to one another’s questions. However, this forum didn’t seem very active during my review.

Lastly, you can contact Remember The Milk’s support team directly. You will fill out the contact form and wait for an email response. Remember The Milk offers decent customer support, but it needs significant improvements in this criterion.

Remember the Milk: The Competition

Apple Reminders is a formidable competitor I’d like to highlight, but with a catch. It’s only available for iOS users. The main benefit is that it’s free for iOS and macOS users, offering features similar to Remember The Milk.

You can set tasks and reminders on Apple Reminders, and everything syncs between all your Apple devices. This app allows you to set location-based reminders, a feature not present on Remember The Milk.

Apple Reminders offers comparable features for free, but has limited collaborative functionality and is only compatible with Apple devices. In contrast, Remember The Milk is accessible on both iOS and Android.

Remember the Milk: Final Verdict

Remember The Milk is a decent task management app. Although it may not be as feature-rich as some competitors, it enables you to sort and prioritize tasks effectively. It’s ideal for users seeking a simple and affordable task management tool.

We've featured the best calendar apps.

Navigating remote access with AnyDesk: An in-Depth look
11:30 am | July 20, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Accessibility and flexibility in our professional and personal lives have become more crucial than ever, pushing remote desktop solutions to the forefront of technological needs. AnyDesk, a relatively new player in this field, offers a unique combination of performance and accessibility that makes it an intriguing option for many users. 

In this post, we'll explore the features that make AnyDesk stand out, assess its advantages and disadvantages, determine its ideal user base, and discuss the considerations to keep in mind when choosing a remote desktop application.

AnyDesk is a comprehensive remote desktop software that permits users to access and interact with their computers from any location with an internet connection. Boasting a lightweight design and impressive speed, AnyDesk is intended for both individual users and businesses that require efficient remote access solutions.

AnyDesk review: plans and pricing

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk review: plans and pricing

There’s a free plan from AnyDesk that lets you provide remote support for an unlimited number of computers, although this is purely for personal use. In that respect, AnyDesk is one of the best remote desktop software solutions for casual users who don't need to connect too frequently. 

Meanwhile, for anyone wanting unattended access there’s the Essentials package, which costs $9.90 per month, although this is limited to one user being allowed to manage one remote device. 

A more substantial option if you're running a business and need a beefier array of connectivity is the Performance plan. This currently costs $19.90 per user, per month. For that, you get three remotely-managed devices per user. The good thing with this one is that users aren't restricted to only accessing the devices they add but can actually access any of the devices on a license. 

If this isn't quite substantial enough, there’s an Enterprise plan, which AnyDesk quotes for on an as-needed basis. While all plans are paid for annually, there are also 14-day trial options for the Essentials and Performance packages.

AnyDesk review: Features and utilities

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk review: Features and utilities

AnyDesk has been around since 2015 and had a revamp during 2021, with version 7 being the current edition. This latest iteration features a much more streamlined user experience, with a wonderfully sensible desktop layout that boasts session tools that are tucked away in a toolbar, rather than being individually laid out in the workspace. 

The software has always been of use to individual users, as well as IT teams who can use to to offer remote technical support. The software works by offering access to Windows and Mac computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices. There’s a built-in file manager for easy transfer of content between host ad remote machines, although there is no provision for the drag-and-drop processing of files. 

Organizational duties are covered by an address book system to track all computers that are being accessed remotely. There are also plenty of tools for easy collaboration, with a text chat box, for example, that can assist with remote support duties. There’s also a virtual whiteboard and the ability to invite another users onto your network, which is similarly handy for support scenarios.

AnyDesk: Setup

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Setup

Much like any other remote desktop access package, AnyDesk isn’t particularly difficult to setup. You’ll need to install the software on your computer and during this AnyDesk displays your unique connection address. 

Connecting to a remote support session using your computer as the host machine will necessitate this unique address being given to a remote user. This can also be done using an email invite. 

Usefully, it’s possible to select a list of permission presets, which controls how much a user can do once they’re on your shared machine.

AnyDesk: Interface and performance

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Interface and performance

You can use AnyDesk to access and manage remote connections on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices too, in both an attended and unattended capacity. The good news is that, in order to do this, the AnyDesk interface is one of the best there is in terms of plain and simple usability. 

There are plenty of tools that help to speed up your workflow, with the address book being integrated into the address entry bar. This makes it a doddle when you want to connect to machines that are regular connection points. Another bonus is the way AnyDesk can automatically detect other enabled devices in your local network. That really cuts down on the amount of manual intervention needed for business users. 

Stability-wise, we have found AnyDesk to be a very able performer. Along with the easy to use interface, making use of the software is a quick and simple exercise, which is always a plus if you’re a time-poor worker or business owner.

AnyDesk: Security

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Security

You’ll find that AnyDesk comes with end-to-end encryption, which covers all of your remote sessions. Having this means that it can help to prevent unauthorized access to your network. 

At the same time, there is also support for two-factor authentication, which adds another level of security with the added option for creating a whitelist, so that only specific devices can access your computer. 

On top of that, AnyDesk lets you set a limit as to what control features are available to any remote users.

AnyDesk: Support

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Support

AnyDesk comes with a solid level of support services, although presently this only seems to extend to contact via email, rather than phone. Support includes plenty of online resources, which can be accessed via the website. 

There is also provision for submitting a ticket should you need to contact AnyDesk about a specific issue or query. AnyDesk also seems to have a pretty good social media setup too, which is always good for lots of general information, tips, tricks and workarounds.

AnyDesk: The competition

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Pros and cons

There are several reasons to like AnyDesk, but there are also a few things you should be aware of.  

Pros of AnyDesk:

- Performance: AnyDesk is known for its high-speed performance, ensuring quick and responsive remote access even on slower internet connections.

Lightweight Software: The program is compact and provides quick downloads and installations, which is particularly beneficial for systems with limited resources.

- User Interface: AnyDesk offers an intuitive and uncluttered interface, making it easy for new users to navigate.

- Compatibility: It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, which enhances its versatility.

- Free Version: AnyDesk offers a free version for personal use, which is beneficial for individual users or those who want to test the software before committing financially. 

Cons of AnyDesk:

- Security Concerns: While AnyDesk has good security features, it has been the target of scam operations where users are tricked into granting access to their PCs. Users need to be vigilant.

- Limited Features in Free Version: While the free version is valid, it is limited in features, particularly concerning unattended access, which is essential for many business users.

- Customer Support: Customer service and support can be less comprehensive than those of larger market competitors.

Who should use AnyDesk

AnyDesk is ideally suited for a number of different types of people and groups. 

1. IT Support and Help Desk Teams

For IT professionals, the ability to quickly respond to support tickets and manage multiple systems remotely is crucial. AnyDesk enables **remote troubleshooting** without the need for physical presence, making it an efficient tool for:

*   Resolving issues in real-time

*   Providing back-end support to corporate environments

*   Managing servers remotely

2. Remote Workers and Freelancers

The rise of remote work has necessitated tools that allow employees and freelancers to access workstations from anywhere in the world. AnyDesk facilitates a seamless connection to office computers, maintaining **productivity** with:

*   High-speed connections that minimize latency

*   Secure access controls ensuring data integrity and security

*   Compatibility across multiple operating systems for diverse tech stacks

3. Educators and Online Tutors

With education increasingly moving online, teachers and tutors need effective ways to interact with students' devices for tutorials and technical assistance. AnyDesk assists by:

*   Allowing educators to view and manage student screens during lessons

*   Supporting educational software troubleshooting from a distance

*   Offering an intuitive platform that students can easily navigate

4. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

SME owners often need to manage multiple aspects of business from different locations. AnyDesk offers a **cost-effective and reliable** solution for:

*   Remote management of business operations

*   Accessing files and software from any location

*   Facilitating remote collaboration and meetings

5. Tech Enthusiasts and Personal Users

Individuals who manage multiple devices or need access to their home networks while traveling can benefit from AnyDesk’s:

*   Unattended access feature, for connecting seamlessly without manual acceptance

*   High level of customization and settings to cater to different needs and preferences

6. Developers and Engineers

Software developers and engineers may need to deploy updates, manage version control, or access development servers from remote locations. AnyDesk supports these activities with:

*   Robust file transfer capabilities

*   Ability to connect to multiple screens or servers concurrently for comprehensive control

AnyDesk: The competition

While AnyDesk is certainly more than adequate for everyday use, if you’re a business owner with the need to access multiple machines you’re going to need a slightly more substantial package. 

TeamViewer is perhaps one of the best options in that respect, despite its higher cost factor. Lookout for the powerful option of being able to manage up to 200 devices using one IT worker as a prime example. Add on the likes of mass deployment and command line control options and you've got a beefy package that is more potent than AnyDesk. 

Conversely, Zoho Assist makes a great option if you're looking for better value and also remote support capability. It is great value for money and will meet the needs of many medium-to-larger companies. 

Sandwiched inbetween are numerous other options when it comes to competitor products in the best remote desktop software space.

AnyDesk: Final verdict

We are enthusiastic supporters of AnyDesk, especially for individuals who only occasionally need remote desktop access and don't require advanced features. However, if you run a more significant business and need more robust tools, you may find shortcomings in AnyDesk compared to something like TeamViewer. Nonetheless, AnyDesk is user-friendly and reasonably priced, especially if you only need the accessible version.

AnyDesk offers an impressive array of features that accommodate many users needing fast and dependable remote desktop access. Its focus on performance and multiple platform support makes it a compelling option. However, potential users should consider the limitations of the free version, the security risks associated with remote desktop tools, and the level of customer support. When choosing remote desktop software, it's essential to evaluate your specific needs, such as unattended access, frequency of use, and the significance of customer support, to ensure a smooth and productive remote access experience.

Connect to your computer with one of the best business smartphones.

What to look for when choosing a remote desktop solution

Selecting an appropriate remote desktop solution is essential for businesses and individuals seeking efficient, secure, and convenient access to their desktops from any location. Consider several critical factors to ensure the solution meets your needs when evaluating options.

Security is paramount. As remote access can be a potential entry point for cyberattacks, look for a solution that offers robust authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption for data in transit. This helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Ease of Use also plays a significant role. The ideal remote desktop software should offer a straightforward, intuitive user interface, making it easy for users of all technical levels to connect and navigate their remote systems without extensive training. Compatibility with various operating systems and devices enhances accessibility, allowing users to connect seamlessly from any computer or mobile device.

Performance directly impacts productivity; thus, selecting software that offers high-speed connections with minimal latency is critical, especially for tasks requiring real-time responsiveness. Look for solutions that optimize the remote access experience, even on slower internet connections, by adjusting the display settings and reducing bandwidth usage.

Features and FuncFunctionality are also essential to consider. Depending on your specific needs, you might require advanced features such as remote printing, file transfer, multi-monitor support, and session recording. Assessing the available features against your needs will help ensure the solution efficiently supports your workflow.

Cost is another consideration. Many remote desktop solutions offer a range of pricing plans, from free versions with basic funcFunctionalitysubscription-based models with advanced features and support. Evaluate the cost against the benefits and features provided to determine the most cost-effective solution for your requirements.

Customer Support and Reliability are crucial, especially for business users relying on remote access for critical operations. Look for providers with a reputation for reliability and customer support, offering assistance through various channels such as live chat, email, or phone support.

Lastly, consider the solution's scalability. As your business grows, your remote desktop needs may evolve. Opt for a solution that can scale up quickly, adding more users or integrating with other tools and services without significant overhauls.

In summary, finding the right remote desktop solution involves carefully assessing security, ease of use, performance, features, cost, customer support, and scalability. By prioritizing these factors, you can select a solution that meets your current needs and supports future growth and change.

Navigating remote access with AnyDesk: An in-Depth look
11:30 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Accessibility and flexibility in our professional and personal lives have become more crucial than ever, pushing remote desktop solutions to the forefront of technological needs. AnyDesk, a relatively new player in this field, offers a unique combination of performance and accessibility that makes it an intriguing option for many users. 

In this post, we'll explore the features that make AnyDesk stand out, assess its advantages and disadvantages, determine its ideal user base, and discuss the considerations to keep in mind when choosing a remote desktop application.

AnyDesk is a comprehensive remote desktop software that permits users to access and interact with their computers from any location with an internet connection. Boasting a lightweight design and impressive speed, AnyDesk is intended for both individual users and businesses that require efficient remote access solutions.

AnyDesk review: plans and pricing

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk review: plans and pricing

There’s a free plan from AnyDesk that lets you provide remote support for an unlimited number of computers, although this is purely for personal use. In that respect, AnyDesk is one of the best remote desktop software solutions for casual users who don't need to connect too frequently. 

Meanwhile, for anyone wanting unattended access there’s the Essentials package, which costs $9.90 per month, although this is limited to one user being allowed to manage one remote device. 

A more substantial option if you're running a business and need a beefier array of connectivity is the Performance plan. This currently costs $19.90 per user, per month. For that, you get three remotely-managed devices per user. The good thing with this one is that users aren't restricted to only accessing the devices they add but can actually access any of the devices on a license. 

If this isn't quite substantial enough, there’s an Enterprise plan, which AnyDesk quotes for on an as-needed basis. While all plans are paid for annually, there are also 14-day trial options for the Essentials and Performance packages.

AnyDesk review: Features and utilities

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk review: Features and utilities

AnyDesk has been around since 2015 and had a revamp during 2021, with version 7 being the current edition. This latest iteration features a much more streamlined user experience, with a wonderfully sensible desktop layout that boasts session tools that are tucked away in a toolbar, rather than being individually laid out in the workspace. 

The software has always been of use to individual users, as well as IT teams who can use to to offer remote technical support. The software works by offering access to Windows and Mac computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices. There’s a built-in file manager for easy transfer of content between host ad remote machines, although there is no provision for the drag-and-drop processing of files. 

Organizational duties are covered by an address book system to track all computers that are being accessed remotely. There are also plenty of tools for easy collaboration, with a text chat box, for example, that can assist with remote support duties. There’s also a virtual whiteboard and the ability to invite another users onto your network, which is similarly handy for support scenarios.

AnyDesk: Setup

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Setup

Much like any other remote desktop access package, AnyDesk isn’t particularly difficult to setup. You’ll need to install the software on your computer and during this AnyDesk displays your unique connection address. 

Connecting to a remote support session using your computer as the host machine will necessitate this unique address being given to a remote user. This can also be done using an email invite. 

Usefully, it’s possible to select a list of permission presets, which controls how much a user can do once they’re on your shared machine.

AnyDesk: Interface and performance

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Interface and performance

You can use AnyDesk to access and manage remote connections on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices too, in both an attended and unattended capacity. The good news is that, in order to do this, the AnyDesk interface is one of the best there is in terms of plain and simple usability. 

There are plenty of tools that help to speed up your workflow, with the address book being integrated into the address entry bar. This makes it a doddle when you want to connect to machines that are regular connection points. Another bonus is the way AnyDesk can automatically detect other enabled devices in your local network. That really cuts down on the amount of manual intervention needed for business users. 

Stability-wise, we have found AnyDesk to be a very able performer. Along with the easy to use interface, making use of the software is a quick and simple exercise, which is always a plus if you’re a time-poor worker or business owner.

AnyDesk: Security

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Security

You’ll find that AnyDesk comes with end-to-end encryption, which covers all of your remote sessions. Having this means that it can help to prevent unauthorized access to your network. 

At the same time, there is also support for two-factor authentication, which adds another level of security with the added option for creating a whitelist, so that only specific devices can access your computer. 

On top of that, AnyDesk lets you set a limit as to what control features are available to any remote users.

AnyDesk: Support

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Support

AnyDesk comes with a solid level of support services, although presently this only seems to extend to contact via email, rather than phone. Support includes plenty of online resources, which can be accessed via the website. 

There is also provision for submitting a ticket should you need to contact AnyDesk about a specific issue or query. AnyDesk also seems to have a pretty good social media setup too, which is always good for lots of general information, tips, tricks and workarounds.

AnyDesk: The competition

(Image credit: AnyDesk)

AnyDesk: Pros and cons

There are several reasons to like AnyDesk, but there are also a few things you should be aware of.  

Pros of AnyDesk:

- Performance: AnyDesk is known for its high-speed performance, ensuring quick and responsive remote access even on slower internet connections.

Lightweight Software: The program is compact and provides quick downloads and installations, which is particularly beneficial for systems with limited resources.

- User Interface: AnyDesk offers an intuitive and uncluttered interface, making it easy for new users to navigate.

- Compatibility: It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, which enhances its versatility.

- Free Version: AnyDesk offers a free version for personal use, which is beneficial for individual users or those who want to test the software before committing financially. 

Cons of AnyDesk:

- Security Concerns: While AnyDesk has good security features, it has been the target of scam operations where users are tricked into granting access to their PCs. Users need to be vigilant.

- Limited Features in Free Version: While the free version is valid, it is limited in features, particularly concerning unattended access, which is essential for many business users.

- Customer Support: Customer service and support can be less comprehensive than those of larger market competitors.

Who should use AnyDesk

AnyDesk is ideally suited for a number of different types of people and groups. 

1. IT Support and Help Desk Teams

For IT professionals, the ability to quickly respond to support tickets and manage multiple systems remotely is crucial. AnyDesk enables **remote troubleshooting** without the need for physical presence, making it an efficient tool for:

*   Resolving issues in real-time

*   Providing back-end support to corporate environments

*   Managing servers remotely

2. Remote Workers and Freelancers

The rise of remote work has necessitated tools that allow employees and freelancers to access workstations from anywhere in the world. AnyDesk facilitates a seamless connection to office computers, maintaining **productivity** with:

*   High-speed connections that minimize latency

*   Secure access controls ensuring data integrity and security

*   Compatibility across multiple operating systems for diverse tech stacks

3. Educators and Online Tutors

With education increasingly moving online, teachers and tutors need effective ways to interact with students' devices for tutorials and technical assistance. AnyDesk assists by:

*   Allowing educators to view and manage student screens during lessons

*   Supporting educational software troubleshooting from a distance

*   Offering an intuitive platform that students can easily navigate

4. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

SME owners often need to manage multiple aspects of business from different locations. AnyDesk offers a **cost-effective and reliable** solution for:

*   Remote management of business operations

*   Accessing files and software from any location

*   Facilitating remote collaboration and meetings

5. Tech Enthusiasts and Personal Users

Individuals who manage multiple devices or need access to their home networks while traveling can benefit from AnyDesk’s:

*   Unattended access feature, for connecting seamlessly without manual acceptance

*   High level of customization and settings to cater to different needs and preferences

6. Developers and Engineers

Software developers and engineers may need to deploy updates, manage version control, or access development servers from remote locations. AnyDesk supports these activities with:

*   Robust file transfer capabilities

*   Ability to connect to multiple screens or servers concurrently for comprehensive control

AnyDesk: The competition

While AnyDesk is certainly more than adequate for everyday use, if you’re a business owner with the need to access multiple machines you’re going to need a slightly more substantial package. 

TeamViewer is perhaps one of the best options in that respect, despite its higher cost factor. Lookout for the powerful option of being able to manage up to 200 devices using one IT worker as a prime example. Add on the likes of mass deployment and command line control options and you've got a beefy package that is more potent than AnyDesk. 

Conversely, Zoho Assist makes a great option if you're looking for better value and also remote support capability. It is great value for money and will meet the needs of many medium-to-larger companies. 

Sandwiched inbetween are numerous other options when it comes to competitor products in the best remote desktop software space.

AnyDesk: Final verdict

We are enthusiastic supporters of AnyDesk, especially for individuals who only occasionally need remote desktop access and don't require advanced features. However, if you run a more significant business and need more robust tools, you may find shortcomings in AnyDesk compared to something like TeamViewer. Nonetheless, AnyDesk is user-friendly and reasonably priced, especially if you only need the accessible version.

AnyDesk offers an impressive array of features that accommodate many users needing fast and dependable remote desktop access. Its focus on performance and multiple platform support makes it a compelling option. However, potential users should consider the limitations of the free version, the security risks associated with remote desktop tools, and the level of customer support. When choosing remote desktop software, it's essential to evaluate your specific needs, such as unattended access, frequency of use, and the significance of customer support, to ensure a smooth and productive remote access experience.

Connect to your computer with one of the best business smartphones.

What to look for when choosing a remote desktop solution

Selecting an appropriate remote desktop solution is essential for businesses and individuals seeking efficient, secure, and convenient access to their desktops from any location. Consider several critical factors to ensure the solution meets your needs when evaluating options.

Security is paramount. As remote access can be a potential entry point for cyberattacks, look for a solution that offers robust authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption for data in transit. This helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Ease of Use also plays a significant role. The ideal remote desktop software should offer a straightforward, intuitive user interface, making it easy for users of all technical levels to connect and navigate their remote systems without extensive training. Compatibility with various operating systems and devices enhances accessibility, allowing users to connect seamlessly from any computer or mobile device.

Performance directly impacts productivity; thus, selecting software that offers high-speed connections with minimal latency is critical, especially for tasks requiring real-time responsiveness. Look for solutions that optimize the remote access experience, even on slower internet connections, by adjusting the display settings and reducing bandwidth usage.

Features and FuncFunctionality are also essential to consider. Depending on your specific needs, you might require advanced features such as remote printing, file transfer, multi-monitor support, and session recording. Assessing the available features against your needs will help ensure the solution efficiently supports your workflow.

Cost is another consideration. Many remote desktop solutions offer a range of pricing plans, from free versions with basic funcFunctionalitysubscription-based models with advanced features and support. Evaluate the cost against the benefits and features provided to determine the most cost-effective solution for your requirements.

Customer Support and Reliability are crucial, especially for business users relying on remote access for critical operations. Look for providers with a reputation for reliability and customer support, offering assistance through various channels such as live chat, email, or phone support.

Lastly, consider the solution's scalability. As your business grows, your remote desktop needs may evolve. Opt for a solution that can scale up quickly, adding more users or integrating with other tools and services without significant overhauls.

In summary, finding the right remote desktop solution involves carefully assessing security, ease of use, performance, features, cost, customer support, and scalability. By prioritizing these factors, you can select a solution that meets your current needs and supports future growth and change.

I tested Google Tasks, a simple task management app with basic features
11:41 am | July 13, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Task management and to-do list apps offer many benefits. They make it easier to plan your personal and work life and avoid missing important tasks. They remind you about crucial stuff you often forget about when juggling many duties.

Google Tasks is one of the most widely used task management apps, helped by its association with the world’s leading email and search engine provider. This app is completely free, unlike many rival tools that require monthly or annual subscriptions.

I tested Google Tasks to evaluate its pros and cons and help you decide if it’s worthwhile. Read on to learn what it offers and if it’s your ideal task management app.

Google Tasks: Plans and pricing 

As mentioned, Google Tasks doesn’t cost a dime to use. You can download it or access it from a web browser for free. The only requirement is having a Google account, which you likely already have.

Google Tasks: Features 

Google Tasks is one of the simplest and most intuitive task management apps I’ve tested. It doesn’t have the most advanced features you’ll find in some rival apps, but it fulfills its core purpose of enabling users to create effective schedules.

After downloading Google Tasks or logging into it via a web browser, you’ll see the prominently displayed “+ Create” button at the top corner. Clicking this button lets you create a new task.

Google Tasks

(Image credit: Google)

When creating a task, you’ll fill in the title, description, date, and time. You can set the task to recur, e.g., repeating daily or weekly. After creating the task, Google will send you notifications at the scheduled time.

When using the mobile app, you’ll receive a push notification directly on your smartphone. You can also receive an email notification for the task.

After creating a task, you can create multiple subtasks under it. For example, you can create a task called “Attend work meeting” and a subtask titled “Remember to discuss [topic]” at the meeting. You will be notified about the main task and its subtasks at the scheduled time.

I liked that Google Tasks syncs seamlessly across devices. For instance, I created a task on a web browser and received a notification on the smartphone app. When you create or edit a task, it automatically syncs to any device or web browser you’re logged into.

Google Tasks also seamlessly integrates with other Google products. For example, you can access your task list within the Gmail app. You can also add, move, or delete these tasks within your Gmail dashboard.

Google Tasks

(Image credit: Google)

Integration with Google Assistant enables you to create tasks via voice command. When you ask Google Assistant to set a reminder, it’s automatically saved as a task within Google Tasks. You can edit the reminder from your Google Tasks dashboard, and Google Assistant will alert you about the updated information.

I enjoyed setting reminders on Google Tasks and getting voice alerts on my Google Home Mini. It’s a fitting example of third-party integration making Google Tasks an intuitive to-do list app.

Likewise, you can access your saved tasks on Google Drive, Calendar, Docs, Chat, and many other tools. Integration enables convenient access to your to-do list, ensuring you don’t miss crucial reminders.

My main complaint is that Google Tasks doesn’t offer advanced collaborative features. For example, some to-do list apps let you share tasks with other users. On these apps, you can share reminder lists with your colleagues, friends, and family. Anyone can add reminders to these lists for the entire group, enabling seamless collaboration; however, Google Tasks lacks this feature.

Google Tasks is more of a personal task management app than a collaborative one. It works reliably for personal use, but is not the best for teamwork.

Google Tasks: Interface and use 

Google Tasks features a straightforward interface that is easy to understand. There’s nothing complex in its interface, as it revolves around the core feature of creating tasks.

On the web browser, features are arranged neatly on the left, and the dashboard is on the right. The mobile app uses the same arrangement.

Google Tasks

(Image credit: Google)

With a white background and a few other colors to highlight elements, you can easily navigate Google Tasks as a first-time user. The only learning curve might be accessing your tasks from other Google apps, but that is still easy.

Google Tasks: Customer support 

Google Tasks: Customer support 

Google provides detailed user guides and manuals about its Tasks app. You can visit the official help page and learn about Google Tasks’ features and how to navigate it. If you’re facing issues with the app, this page helps you troubleshoot and solve them.

Google doesn’t offer the best direct support for consumer apps, but Tasks is a simple and free solution that you’ll likely not need direct support for.

Google Tasks: The Competition 

Apple Reminders is the main Google Tasks rival I’d like to highlight. I have tested both platforms extensively, noting their pros and cons in comparison to each other.

Apple Reminders is a more intuitive and collaborative task management tool. It allows you to organize your tasks better and share task lists with other iCloud users. It’s a free tool you can install on an iOS device or access from a web browser.

However, Apple Reminders has a drawback: there is no Android app, unlike Google Tasks, which is available on both iOS and Android.

Google Tasks: Final verdict 

Google Tasks is an excellent app for managing your personal activities. It makes scheduling and planning your activities easy and keeps you alert about crucial tasks. It’s not the most advanced task management tool, but it excels at its core function. I wish Google Tasks had more collaborative features like some rival tools, but we don’t always get what we want.

We've listed the best calendar apps.

I tried Habitica and found it to be a stand-out app that encourages users to manage tasks more effectively
5:20 pm | July 8, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Task management apps enhance productivity in both personal and professional endeavors. They make it easier to organize and prioritize your everyday duties. I’ve reviewed many task management tools to help readers make the best choice, and today’s highlight is Habitica.

Habitica is a task management app with a twist. It’s a gamified tool that treats your tasks like game quests to be completed. Users receive in-game rewards for completing quests and virtual punishments for missing them. I tested this app extensively to help you decide if it’s an ideal choice. Read on to learn what this gamified task management app offers.

Habitica: Plans and pricing 

Habitica offers a straightforward pricing system, with distinct plans for personal and collaborative use.

I like that there’s a free version that helps you get familiar with the app. However, it significantly limits the volume of tasks you can manage.

To unlock advanced features, you can subscribe to the individual premium plan for $5 per month, $15 for three months, $30 for six months, or $48 for a year. Notably, the annual plan includes a 20% discount on the month-to-month pricing.

There’s also a group plan suited for teams, friends, or families needing a shared task management app. The cost is $9 per month for the first account, with an additional $3 per month for each group member. Suppose you want a workspace for five office colleagues; it will cost $9 for the admin and $3 each for the remaining four accounts, totaling $21 per month.

I consider Habitica’s pricing fair, given the features it provides. It offers an interactive app that makes task management a gamified, fun experience.

Habitica

(Image credit: Habitica)

Habitica: Features 

As mentioned, Habitica offers a unique, gamified twist to task management apps. After registration, users are prompted to choose a unique username and avatar. Then, you can begin adding tasks to your Habitica dashboard.

Habitica gamifies tasks using the “carrot and stick” approach. You can set virtual rewards for completing tasks, such as a sword, a helmet, or a health potion. Completing the task earns you this reward, and incompletion means losing out on this valuable reward.

But, what’s the use of virtual rewards that are not worth anything in reality? The answer is a lot, at least in the game. You can compete against colleagues in a leaderboard, jockeying for who can amass more points than the other.

Likewise, you can use rewards to purchase customizations for your dashboard (e.g., custom background images and avatar skins) and complete in-game quests. The appeal of Habitica is earning points by completing tasks in a gamified, competitive environment. It leverages the gaming thrill to help users stay alert about their real-world tasks.

Habitica 2

(Image credit: Habitica)

You can set three main types of tasks on Habitica: dailies, to-dos, and habits. Dailies are tasks that are incorporated into your daily routine, so Habitica will send reminders to keep you aware of them.

To-dos are the tasks you’ll do once and claim your virtual reward. As expected, Habitica will send timely reminders as requested. Over time, incomplete to-dos turn redder and will earn more rewards upon completion; this system encourages you to handle your pending tasks.

Habits are exactly like real-life habits; you can create an unlimited number of them on this app. They can be Good, denoted by a "+" sign, or Bad, denoted by a "-" sign. Good ones bring virtual rewards, while Bad ones cause a loss of in-game health. The idea is to use this system as motivation to cultivate good habits and abandon bad ones.

Using Habitica in group settings feels even more fun. It’s like playing a video game, but with players competing against themselves with real-world quests.

Group members can share the same task board, monitoring each other's tasks and ensuring everyone fulfills their end. As an admin, you can assign tasks to specific group members and monitor their progress status. Completing tasks earns team members virtual rewards, encouraging people to meet deadlines.

The gamified experience makes Habitica a double-edged sword. While it may seem enjoyable to some, many others may not find it pleasant, especially in corporate settings. Many users prefer a boring corporate app over a gamified one that adds more complexity.

If adopting Habitica for personal use, you can easily decide whether you like the gamified experience. However, if adopting it for a workplace, it’s advisable to ask employees if they want the gamified experience. You can use the free plan to give them a feel of the app. If most employees object, Habitica might not be the best fit for your workplace.

Habitica

(Image credit: Habitica)

Habitica: Interface and in use 

Habitica’s gamification enhances its sleek, intuitive interface. The app offers an interactive experience with quick and easy navigation. You can access it from a web interface or download the mobile app on iOS or Android. There’s no official desktop app, which is a competitive disadvantage.

Habitica: Customer support 

Habitica offers reasonable customer support. It has an official Help Center with detailed manuals, FAQs, and guides. Creatively, this Help Center is hosted on Fandom, a popular wiki platform for games. Hosting a Help Center on Fandom enhances the gamified experience, and this Help Center is notably easy to navigate.

You can also send email inquiries to Habitica’s support team and get answers within 48 hours (the support system wasn’t as fast as I expected). Likewise, you can ask questions on Habitica’s official help forum and get answers from other users.

Habitica: The competition 

Remember The Milk is the main competitor I’d like to highlight. It doesn’t offer the gamified experience of Habitica, but it does provide an interactive interface that’s enjoyable to navigate. It’s competitively priced at $50 annually and offers similar task management features.

I consider Remember The Milk the go-to alternative for people who don’t want the gamified experience of Habitica but need an intuitive tool with similar features.

Habitica: Final verdict 

Habitica is ideal for individuals who want to combine task management with a gamified experience. It motivates users to complete tasks and earn rewards, setting it apart from competitors. It’s not designed for everyone, but Habitica is excellent for its target audience.

We've listed the best calendar apps.

I tried Habitica and found it to be a stand-out app that encourages users to manage tasks more effectively
5:20 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Task management apps enhance productivity in both personal and professional endeavors. They make it easier to organize and prioritize your everyday duties. I’ve reviewed many task management tools to help readers make the best choice, and today’s highlight is Habitica.

Habitica is a task management app with a twist. It’s a gamified tool that treats your tasks like game quests to be completed. Users receive in-game rewards for completing quests and virtual punishments for missing them. I tested this app extensively to help you decide if it’s an ideal choice. Read on to learn what this gamified task management app offers.

Habitica: Plans and pricing 

Habitica offers a straightforward pricing system, with distinct plans for personal and collaborative use.

I like that there’s a free version that helps you get familiar with the app. However, it significantly limits the volume of tasks you can manage.

To unlock advanced features, you can subscribe to the individual premium plan for $5 per month, $15 for three months, $30 for six months, or $48 for a year. Notably, the annual plan includes a 20% discount on the month-to-month pricing.

There’s also a group plan suited for teams, friends, or families needing a shared task management app. The cost is $9 per month for the first account, with an additional $3 per month for each group member. Suppose you want a workspace for five office colleagues; it will cost $9 for the admin and $3 each for the remaining four accounts, totaling $21 per month.

I consider Habitica’s pricing fair, given the features it provides. It offers an interactive app that makes task management a gamified, fun experience.

Habitica

(Image credit: Habitica)

Habitica: Features 

As mentioned, Habitica offers a unique, gamified twist to task management apps. After registration, users are prompted to choose a unique username and avatar. Then, you can begin adding tasks to your Habitica dashboard.

Habitica gamifies tasks using the “carrot and stick” approach. You can set virtual rewards for completing tasks, such as a sword, a helmet, or a health potion. Completing the task earns you this reward, and incompletion means losing out on this valuable reward.

But, what’s the use of virtual rewards that are not worth anything in reality? The answer is a lot, at least in the game. You can compete against colleagues in a leaderboard, jockeying for who can amass more points than the other.

Likewise, you can use rewards to purchase customizations for your dashboard (e.g., custom background images and avatar skins) and complete in-game quests. The appeal of Habitica is earning points by completing tasks in a gamified, competitive environment. It leverages the gaming thrill to help users stay alert about their real-world tasks.

Habitica 2

(Image credit: Habitica)

You can set three main types of tasks on Habitica: dailies, to-dos, and habits. Dailies are tasks that are incorporated into your daily routine, so Habitica will send reminders to keep you aware of them.

To-dos are the tasks you’ll do once and claim your virtual reward. As expected, Habitica will send timely reminders as requested. Over time, incomplete to-dos turn redder and will earn more rewards upon completion; this system encourages you to handle your pending tasks.

Habits are exactly like real-life habits; you can create an unlimited number of them on this app. They can be Good, denoted by a "+" sign, or Bad, denoted by a "-" sign. Good ones bring virtual rewards, while Bad ones cause a loss of in-game health. The idea is to use this system as motivation to cultivate good habits and abandon bad ones.

Using Habitica in group settings feels even more fun. It’s like playing a video game, but with players competing against themselves with real-world quests.

Group members can share the same task board, monitoring each other's tasks and ensuring everyone fulfills their end. As an admin, you can assign tasks to specific group members and monitor their progress status. Completing tasks earns team members virtual rewards, encouraging people to meet deadlines.

The gamified experience makes Habitica a double-edged sword. While it may seem enjoyable to some, many others may not find it pleasant, especially in corporate settings. Many users prefer a boring corporate app over a gamified one that adds more complexity.

If adopting Habitica for personal use, you can easily decide whether you like the gamified experience. However, if adopting it for a workplace, it’s advisable to ask employees if they want the gamified experience. You can use the free plan to give them a feel of the app. If most employees object, Habitica might not be the best fit for your workplace.

Habitica

(Image credit: Habitica)

Habitica: Interface and in use 

Habitica’s gamification enhances its sleek, intuitive interface. The app offers an interactive experience with quick and easy navigation. You can access it from a web interface or download the mobile app on iOS or Android. There’s no official desktop app, which is a competitive disadvantage.

Habitica: Customer support 

Habitica offers reasonable customer support. It has an official Help Center with detailed manuals, FAQs, and guides. Creatively, this Help Center is hosted on Fandom, a popular wiki platform for games. Hosting a Help Center on Fandom enhances the gamified experience, and this Help Center is notably easy to navigate.

You can also send email inquiries to Habitica’s support team and get answers within 48 hours (the support system wasn’t as fast as I expected). Likewise, you can ask questions on Habitica’s official help forum and get answers from other users.

Habitica: The competition 

Remember The Milk is the main competitor I’d like to highlight. It doesn’t offer the gamified experience of Habitica, but it does provide an interactive interface that’s enjoyable to navigate. It’s competitively priced at $50 annually and offers similar task management features.

I consider Remember The Milk the go-to alternative for people who don’t want the gamified experience of Habitica but need an intuitive tool with similar features.

Habitica: Final verdict 

Habitica is ideal for individuals who want to combine task management with a gamified experience. It motivates users to complete tasks and earn rewards, setting it apart from competitors. It’s not designed for everyone, but Habitica is excellent for its target audience.

We've listed the best calendar apps.

I tested TickTick and found it one the most user-friendly, feature-rich task management apps
1:26 pm | July 7, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Task management apps are some of the most valuable tools used by individuals and businesses. They enable users to plan, monitor, and complete tasks efficiently. They allow you to break down tasks into smaller components and prioritize specific tasks over others.

TickTick is one of the best to-do list apps. I tested it rigorously to note its features, pros, and cons, as well as other vital factors. Read on to learn what TickTick offers and whether it’s an ideal task management tool for individual and business use. 

TickTick: Plans and pricing 

TickTick is a freemium tool, like many of its rivals. It offers basic features for free and requires subscriptions for advanced features.

The free version allows you to create and receive reminders for tasks. You can organize and prioritize schedules with this free version, but not much else.

The premium version unlocks sophisticated features, including visualizations, custom task filters, templates, and the ability to add tasks from your smartphone's lock screen. It costs $36 annually, or $3 monthly.

At $3 monthly, TickTick is priced competitively. It’s more affordable than many rival tools offering similar features. For unclear reasons, TickTick does not offer an official free trial; however, you can request a refund within 14 days if you are unsatisfied with the premium features.

TickTick: Features 

TickTick offers a wide range of features that enable you to manage your to-do lists effectively. You can quickly add new tasks from your dashboard and set reminders for specific dates. TickTick will send a push notification to your smartphone on the due dates. You can also get notified about tasks via email.

TickTick

(Image credit: TickTick)

You can set tasks as recurring, e.g., daily or weekly, to receive repeat reminders. You can also set a constant reminder that repeats every minute until you stop it; this feature is helpful for time-sensitive tasks you don’t want to miss.

I liked that TickTick allowed me to set location-based reminders. I could choose to receive a reminder when arriving or leaving a specific location, such as the office or gym.

You can search for an address or use your current location for the reminder; ensure location access is turned on for TickTick in your smartphone settings. It doesn’t have to be an exact location; you can choose a radius around a landmark. This feature keeps you alert about crucial tasks at specific locations, such as an office meeting or presentation.

Another standout feature is TickTick’s calendar view, which lets you monitor all tasks in a calendar format. I liked the interactive and colorful look of TickTick’s calendar much more than on rival apps.

I could sort the calendar into different views – monthly, weekly, multi-weekly, and multi-daily – to get a detailed visualization of my previously added tasks. The calendar sports a white background and unique colors to highlight each task. Many other task management apps offer calendars, but TickTick provides one of the most interactive ones.

TickTick 2

(Image credit: TickTick)

Save for calendars, TickTick also lets you view tasks in list, kanban, and timeline formats. In the list format, your tasks are separated into three columns: the first is the category, the second is the main tasks and signed schedules, and the third is the extra details attached to the tasks (notes, pictures, etc.).

The kanban view is my favorite, where tasks are arranged into separate columns based on your chosen criterion, such as date, priority, and team. Kanban boards are helpful when you have numerous tasks and need a simple visual representation. The timeline view is also another intuitive way to visualize your projects.

Collaboration is a main benefit of using TickTick. You can share to-do lists with other users and work together on everyday tasks. You’ll invite colleagues and friends to your group and assign tasks to each other. When you create a shared task, every group member will receive reminders at the due date.

TickTick has a decent library of third-party integrations. I often encounter task management apps with few third-party integrations, but TickTick bucks the trend. It integrates with diverse tools, including Amazon Alexa, which enables you to create tasks via voice commands; Slack, allowing you to receive notifications within their Slack dashboard; and Zapier, which lets you create custom automations.

TickTick: Interface and in use 

TickTick has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to grasp. Features are neatly arranged across the dashboard, making it easy to find what you want. TickTick offers tutorials and examples to help first-time users become familiar with their dashboard. It has one of the best interfaces I’ve encountered when testing task management apps.

TickTick 3

(Image credit: TickTick)

TickTick: Customer Support 

You can visit TickTick’s official Help Center for user guides and FAQs to help troubleshoot issues. You can also contact TickTick’s support team via email.

Email support was reliable during my test, but I observed significant third-party complaints about delayed responses. Notably, there’s no live chat or telephone support option.

TickTick: The Competition 

Todoist is the main TickTick competitor I’d like to highlight. It offers similar features and an intuitive interface for users, allowing you to easily create and organize tasks from either the web interface or mobile app. Todoist and TickTick are both sophisticated task management apps, but the latter is the more affordable option.

Google Tasks is another prominent competitor. It’s a free app that lets users create and organize tasks. Google Tasks features a user-friendly interface and is accessible from both web browsers and mobile apps. It shares some common features with TickTick, but overall, TickTick has broader functionalities; for example, Google Tasks does not have kanban and timeline views.

TickTick: Final Verdict 

TickTick is a reliable task management app with broad features, an intuitive interface, and valuable third-party integrations. It offers helpful task management features at a reasonable price, making it one of the best choices for both personal and business use.

We've also featured the best note-taking apps.

I tested Todoist, and found it an excellent collaborative to-do app for business use, but also personal use
1:36 pm | July 5, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

To-do list apps can significantly improve personal and workplace productivity. They enable you to prioritize tasks, track your progress, and ensure you meet deadlines. They break down everyday duties into simpler steps, allowing you to complete them more efficiently.

Todoist is one of the best todo list apps available. Many use it to simplify their daily schedules and collaborate with other users on shared tasks. I thoroughly tested this app to evaluate its features, pros and cons, and help you decide if it suits your needs. Read to learn what Todoist offers and if it’s your best bet for a task management app.

Todoist: Plans and Pricing 

Todoist is a freemium tool that offers both free and paid tiers. The free tier allows you to schedule tasks and receive reminders, but it has certain limitations. This tier doesn’t offer collaborative features and does not include Todoist’s AI assistant.

To access collaborative features and other benefits, you can upgrade to the paid plan for $5 per month or the Business plan for $8 per month. These plans are best suited for teams needing a collaborative task management tool. It also suits family and friends seeking a shared task management app.

You can test the Pro and Business features with a 14-day free trial before making your final decision. If you’re unsatisfied even after paying, Todoist offers a 30-day refund window.

Todoist: Features 

Todoist is one of the most comprehensive to-do list apps I’ve tested. It offers a broad range of features and third-party integrations that enable you to manage tasks efficiently.

You can quickly add new tasks to your main dashboard. Each new task can have a date, location, and reminder deadline. Todoist will notify you about every task at the specified time, either via email or a push notification on your smartphone.

I liked that Todoist allowed me to add context to tasks, more so than I could with other apps. You can add long comments to your task or attach files in the comments section. This feature is beneficial when sharing tasks with team members, as it allows you to provide details that help them understand their assigned tasks.

You can add subtasks under your main tasks, and Todoist will notify you about all subtasks at the specified time. You can also assign priority levels to tasks (with 1 being the most important and 4 being the least important); the highest-priority tasks always appear at the top of your to-do list, reminding you of what to work on first.

Todoist

(Image credit: Todoist)

I liked the feature of visualizing tasks in a calendar. It gives you a pictorial view of your weekly, monthly, or annual schedules, making them easy to understand. You can drag and drop tasks from one date to another. You can quickly make changes to this calendar, such as editing a task’s description or setting it as recurring.

The AI assistant is another feature I enjoyed using (it’s only available to paid users). You can ask this assistant questions about your tasks and get accurate answers, for example, “Break down [task A] into simpler steps that I can follow,” “Can I get tips on completing [task B]?” “Give me some suggestions on new tasks for the week.”

A drawback is that the AI assistant is only available to paid users. It also works only on the Todoist web interface or desktop app, not the iOS or Android mobile apps.

Todoist

(Image credit: Todoist)

I use AI assistants more on my smartphone than on my PC, so incompatibility with the mobile app kind of defeats the point. I researched whether Todoist has confirmed plans to introduce the AI assistant to its mobile apps, but I didn’t find any confirmation. I’d appreciate it if the assistant becomes compatible with the mobile app soon.

Todoist has some of the best collaborative features of all the to-do apps I’ve tested. You can share to-do lists with other users, usually colleagues at work—the group admin controls who can create, edit, or view tasks. This feature enables everyone to monitor and fulfill their key responsibilities.

Todoist: Interface and in use 

Todoist features a responsive and user-friendly interface that is easy to grasp. Features are arranged neatly on the left, allowing easy navigation. It sports a white background and minimal other colors to highlight features. Whether on the web interface, desktop app, or mobile app, you can quickly understand Todoist as a first-time user.

Todoist

(Image credit: Todoist)

Extensive compatibility is a main benefit of using Todoist. It has apps for PCs (Windows and macOS), smartphones (iOS and Android), and is accessible from a web interface. Every activity syncs seamlessly, allowing you to juggle Todoist on multiple devices and stay informed about your tasks.

Todoist: Customer Support 

Todoist provides decent support to users. When experiencing issues, you can start by referring to the user guides and FAQs on the official support page. This page contains detailed information to troubleshoot common problems.

You can also contact Todoist’s support team directly via email. There’s no telephone or live chat support, which I consider a drawback, especially for business users.

Todoist: The Competition 

Toodledo is the main rival I’d like to highlight, owing to its similarity with Todoist. It has a free plan like Todoist, and its premium plans are similarly priced. It offers an intuitive interface, although Todoist feels more modern and responsive.

However, the drawback is that Toodledo doesn’t offer as many collaborative features as Todoist; it’s more of a personal task management tool.

Todoist: Final Verdict 

Todoist strikes a good balance between pricing and functionality. It’s one of the best to-do apps for collaborative teams and also works for personal use. I’ll recommend it to anyone seeking an effective task management app.

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Sendible review
12:14 pm | June 15, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

If your business is looking for the best social media management tools to boost its online presence then Sendible is an ideal candidate, offering a complete package that delivers all of the tools for managing social media campaigns via its simple and easy-to-use platform. 

Sendible has a variety of tools for getting the job done, including the ability to schedule and queue your posts, along with managing calendars in order to create controlled campaigns. The overall design and usability is intuitive, there’s a strong emphasis on reporting capabilities, and Sendible also comes reasonably priced.

While rivals such as Hootsuite, Buffer, HubSpot, and Zoho Social all have their own pros and cons, Sendible is designed firmly for the social media savvy era, and even comes with a 14-day free trial to help get a sense of the software. 

Sendible users can also choose from a selection of different packages, ranging from very basic freelance options, which include a barebones set of features, through to a full-on White Label edition aimed at businesses trying to get a social media foothold.

Let's dive into our Sendible social media manager review.  

Sendible social media

(Image credit: Sendible)

Sendible: Plans and pricing

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Starting rate (paid monthly)

Creator

$25/month

$29/month

Traction

$76/month

$89/month

Scale

$170/month

$199/month

Advanced

$255/month

$299/month

Enterprise

$638/month

$750/month

Sendible has a range of plan and pricing options, making the suite well suited to different sizes of business user. Currently, pricing seems to be either US-, EU-, or UK-centric, though there are portals for the UK, the US, and European markets, too.

You can choose to pay monthly or yearly, with a 15% saving offered to those who pay for the full twelve months in one go. To illustrate typical package prices we’ll use monthly costs here, which start off with the Creator package, billed at $29 per month after a free trial and aimed at freelance workers, offering one user and six social profiles.

Next up, there is the Traction package, which also comes with a free trial and is then billed monthly at $89. Sendible says Traction is ideal for startup agencies and brands. The tier allows 4 users and 24 social profile options. 

Sendible’s Scale edition is its most popular, with the option for 7 users and 49 social profiles, along with custom and automated reporting, a content and hashtag library, and campaign management tools, billed at $199 per month.

Sendible pricing

(Image credit: Sendible)

Then, Sendible's Advanced edition includes 20 users and 100 social profiles for larger agencies, advanced permissions, bulk posting with custom tags, live report sharing, and white label as a paid add-on. The tier costs $299 per month, but there’s a free trial option too, if you want to get a sense of the features.

Finally, the Enterprise edition offers support for 80 users and 400 social profiles for $750 per month, flexibility that is clearly going to be useful for businesses that are on the up. While this level can be expensive, the number of features is impressive, as we'll get into now. 

Sendible

(Image credit: Sendible)

Sendible: Basic features

Sendible has several core areas, all of which should appeal to businesses looking to get a strong hold on social media campaigning. 

The main areas of interest are Publishing, Collaboration, and Analytics, offering the ability to closely monitor how campaigns are going via a neat dashboard-style design. We found the software very easy to understand and use. 

Usefully, each of the plans outlined above adds in features and functions that are suited to the particular target market. In theory, this means your business will only pay for what it's using, rather than having lots of unused tools. 

The Creator edition includes unlimited scheduling, planning and publishing, monitoring and replying, plus reporting tools. 

Sendible provides a useful overview of which features each tier gets, and we recommend checking this if there is something specific you will likely need. For example, cloud integrations are reserved for the top two tiers. 

Sendible

(Image credit: Sendible)

Sendible: Professional features

Speaking of the top tiers, when we move up to Traction, users get all of the above plus team collaboration, post assignment and approval, user management, and a personalised demo to get the ball rolling. 

Similarly, the Scale tier includes everything in Traction alongside automated client reporting, a content and hashtag library, and custom approval flows, as well as personalised onboarding.

Finally, Advanced and Enterprise editions include everything in the Scale plan along with an optional white-labelling add-on, the ability to manage client permissions, merge tags, and the benefit of a dedicated account manager. This alone can be highly useful in a charged and rapidly expanding social media management department.

Sendible

(Image credit: Sendible)

Sendible: User interface

Sendible can help tackle pretty much every social media management challenge, and is therefore compatible with all of the usual suspects, including Twitter (or X), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and basically everyone else.

To do that effectively Sendible has created a great little user interface, which is both easy to use and powerful, too. Some of its social media rivals can feel a little outdated, or feature-heavy, but Sendible has clearly been designed with ease-of-use in mind. 

Sendible

(Image credit: Sendible)

Central to the effective nature of Sendible is its dashboard area, home to all of the core tools needed during daily activities. The dashboard is also crucial for setting up and managing campaigns, with menu options for scheduling and queuing posts. You can also dip into published items, check how the activity levels are going, and, subsequently, monitor the outcome. 

Overall, Sendible is all very straightforward, even in the beefier package editions, and we really appreciated how quickly everything fell into place, allowing space to get on with, well, actual work. 

Sendible

(Image credit: Sendible)

Sendible: Support

Not everyone is ready or able to hit the ground running when they embark on a social media marketing journey. In that respect, we like the way Sendible packs in plenty to help both the newbie and seasoned pro, as well as lone freelancers, while also delivering plenty of support for those higher up the ladder, offered in multiple formats across Sendible's website. 

We also like the ease of dipping in and seeing how fellow users have been faring with their Sendible suites, which is often a great way of pinpointing potential problem areas. That’s especially so if you’re working within a collaborative environment, or have new staff who might not be familiar with the way things tick.

As you’d expect, Sendible support staff can also be contacted directly, with the support center delivering plenty of options on that front.

Sendible: The competition

Sendible covers an awful lot of bases on the social media management front, and there's also something to suit any kind of budget. 

However, to make sure your business gets exactly the right social media tool, it's worth checking out the likes of Hootsuite, Buffer, Loomly, Circleboom, and Zoho Social, all of which are perfectly decent competitors worthy of investigation.

Our guide to the best social media management tools also helps quickly see the pros and cons of each platform. 

Sendible

(Image credit: Sendible)

Sendible: Final verdict

Sendible offers a good selection of different package options for those with ambitions to raise their social media profile. For campaign purposes, it’s got all of the tools, especially if you work for an agency or a business. 

Crucially, Sendible includes rock-solid reporting capabilities, which many will find to be key in seeing how much of a return they’ll be getting on their monthly, or annual, investment.

It’s easy to see why Sendible Scale is the most popular, as the tier contains a host of great tools that will appeal to many, while not breaking the bank as some of its rivals can do on the higher-level packages.

Zoho Social review
12:20 pm | May 31, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Any business hankering after the best social media management tools should investigate Zoho Social, which offers the ability to co-ordinate all of your social campaigns from one place, lets any type of business to schedule posts, keeps track of the results, and compiles comprehensive reports.

Zoho Social's other benefit is working alongside other products in Zoho's portfolio, meaning a business should be able to exploit its power even more efficiently by integrating with Zoho Workspace, Campaigns, and CRM. 

Being able to work in a one-stop environment will be ideally suite to many companies, especially those who are looking to make workflow activities more efficient. Add on great iOS and Android apps and Zoho is an attractive tool. 

Of course, there is still competition in the social media management space from the likes of Hootsuite, Buffer, HubSpot, and Circleboom, but for companies that have already bought into the Zoho suite, or are considering doing so, Social is one of the strongest options. 

Let's dive into our review of the Zoho Social social media manager. 

Zoho Social: Plans and Pricing

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Starting rate (paid monthly)

Free

$0/month

$0/month

Standard

$10/month

$15/month

Professional

$30/month

$40/month

Premium

$40/month

$65/month

Agency

$230/month

$320/month

Agency Plus

$330/month

$460/month

Zoho now offers six plans rather than three, starting with a permanent Free tier that stays active once your 15-day trial ends. It covers one brand and six social channels, with a handful of AI credits to get you started.

From there, the Standard plan is $10/month (billed annually) and expands channel support to 11 platforms. The Professional plan ($30/month annually) adds advanced scheduling tools like bulk scheduling, CustomQ, and RSS feeds. The Premium plan ($40/month annually, $65/month monthly) steps things up with SmartQ, a full reporting dashboard, Zoho CRM/Desk integration, and an Inbox for managing interactions — now including WhatsApp and Telegram.

For agencies, the Agency plan ($230/month annually) supports 10 brands and up to 140 channels across five team members, while Agency Plus ($330/month annually) doubles that capacity to 20 brands and up to 280 channels. Both agency tiers include branded reporting and client access features.

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

Zoho Social: AI features

Zoho has been quietly weaving AI into Social through its in-house assistant, Zia, which is powered by ChatGPT. The headline feature is Compose with Zia, which lets you generate captions, hashtags, and post copy from a short prompt. It's a practical time-saver if you manage multiple channels and need to keep a steady content rhythm without starting from a blank page every time.

Every plan comes with a monthly AI credit allowance that refreshes each billing cycle. Free users get 5 credits, Standard and Professional accounts each receive 40, and Premium, Agency, and Agency Plus plans bump that up to 80 credits per month. That should be more than enough for occasional use on lower tiers, though heavy users on Standard or Professional may find themselves rationing credits toward the end of the month.

If you're on the Agency or Agency Plus plan, you also get access to Reply with Zia inside the Inbox. This feature helps you draft or rephrase replies to customer messages across connected channels. It's the kind of feature that makes the premium agency pricing feel more justified, especially for small teams that handle large volumes of DMs.

Overall, Zia is a solid but not spectacular AI implementation, meaning that it handles the basics well without overreaching. What we'd like to see in future updates is AI-assisted scheduling recommendations beyond SmartQ, plus maybe a repurposing tool that adapts a single post across multiple channel formats automatically. Still, for a platform at this price point, having generative AI baked into every plan is a meaningful advantage for Zoho.

Zoho Social: Basic features

Even in its most basic incarnation, Zoho Social comes packed with a practical array of features and functions, and of course there is the 15-day free trial to get your head around what works for your business. 

Standard works for one brand and 10 channels, one team member, and includes compatibility with Facebook Pages, Facebook Groups, X (formerly Twitter) Profiles, Instagram Business Profiles, LinkedIn Profiles, LinkedIn Company Pages, Google Business Profile listings, and more. Recently, Zoho Social has also added in support for YouTube, WhatsApp Business, Telegram Business, Threads, Mastodon, TikTok, Pinterest, and Bluesky.

There’s a neat dashboard interface that helps to monitor posts, carry out multi-channel publishing, schedule your content, and compile a publishing calendar. 

Power tools include a link shortener, activity logging, user tagging, and the production of summary reports. An image editor also proves mighty handy if you don't want to splurge on Adobe Photoshop or similar. 

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

Zoho Social: Professional features

The Professional tier ramps things up a bit, offering one brand and 10 channels, and a one team member allowance. Users also get all of the Standard features plus a ream of others, including livestreaming, notifications, repeat posting, a media library, rescheduling of posts, RSS feeds, messages, the ability to pause and resume content, and the muting and blocking of accounts where needed.

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

Zoho Social: Premium features

Zoho has added a Premium edition to its portfolio, which is even better suited to larger businesses. You get all of the regular Professional features alongside a pile of extras, including the ability to export posts, collaborate between three team members, and use a dedicated reporting dashboard. 

In fact, the reporting capabilities of this package are pretty formidable, and there’s the added advantage of being able to use Social in tandem with Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk. It can also handle lead generation, so there is plenty of opportunity to get a decent return on your investment.

Zoho says the Premium option is its most popular and it's easy to see why, there's a good mix of high-end enterprise features without a huge cost. 

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho)

Zoho Social: User Interface

Zoho Social has been designed to offer a full suite of tools aimed at improving your social media management fortunes. 

Zoho is certainly a comprehensive solution, no matter which of the three packages you decide to go for, and the core structure of Zoho Social focuses on the structuring of campaigns and the subsequent monitoring of your social activity. 

Collaboration is a priority too, helping team members work together and make sense of analytics and the production of those all-important reports, which can then be fed higher up the chain. 

Setting up and scheduling posts is quick and easy, and there’s the ability to collaborate using a publishing calendar, create content queues, and also curate content as and when it's needed. 

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

In our testing, we found that Zoho Social has been nicely designed, meaning that it’s simple to monitor all of your social media activity, with a listening dashboard, live stream, and the ability to send direct messages.

The collaborational aspect of Zoho Social is particularly impressive, offering the ability to define workflows, have team discussions, and assign roles and permissions proving to be the most practical aspects. The same goes for the useability of the analytical tools: lookout for comprehensive stats, the ability to produce custom reports, and also the ability to receive scheduled reports for your regular meetings.

Capping things off, the iOS and Android apps are a pleasure to use, making on-the-go social media tasks that much easier. 

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

Zoho Social: Support

All Zoho Social packages come with the same 24/5 email support, which should prove substantial enough for most needs. The Zoho website also comes with a very decent level of help files, tutorials, and supporting information designed to answer many common queries.

Zoho Social

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

Zoho Social: The competition

The social media management marketplace is a hive of activity, with plenty of options aimed at helping businesses get more from their campaigns, which is ultimately good news for your search. 

Alongside Zoho Social you can take your pick from key players, including Buffer, Sendible, Loomly, Hootsuite, and Circleboom, all of which are very decent competitors worthy of consideration.

It's worth checking out our guide to the best social media management tools to quickly see the pros and cons of each offering. 

Zoho Social: Final verdict

Zoho Social has managed to pack in a great deal of features and functions into each one of these three social media management packages, which will make the suite instantly attractive to businesses of all shapes and sizes, although you’ll really want to head in the direction of the Premium editions to get the best set of tools. 

That’s especially so if you’re looking for detailed analytics and the ability to produce power-packed reports. Indeed, the Agency editions take that a step further and, while there is added cost involved, there’s no doubting the additional muscle these premium-priced products come with.

If you're already a Zoho customer across its CRM, Desk, Mail, Books, and Assist offerings, then tacking on Social is the best thing to do. 

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