I admit it. I am an app hog. I hear about the latest and greatest and downloaded it, sign up for it, and/or demo it. I have had to learn to be more selective in my tastes. Now, I have a few key features for which I look.
1. Platform agnostic– I look for apps that will work on as many platforms as possible. I look to see if it runs in Windows and Mac, on iPads, iPhones, Chromebooks, Android, etc. why is this important to me? I want everyone to have access regardless of their taste in phone, computers, and tablets. The best apps out there work on everything.
2. High Reviews– I take time to read through the reviews. I used to skip this step, but I have found it could have saved me much grief. Honest reviewers share bugs and glitches and mention responsiveness of customer service.
3. Versatility– I prefer apps that aren’t one trick ponies. I like to get in an app or log in through the browser and get to stay there. I don’t like the break in workflow to jump back and forth between apps. I also enjoy being able to start a project on the iPad, switch to a web portal, open a computer program, edit from my Droid, and finish on my iPad. Sharing throughout all access points makes work easy.
4. Ease of use– I look for apps that are fairly intuitive. Time is valuable and very few people can dedicate the time required to learn unique gestures, codes, and key combinations to access the advanced features. Simple is better, especially when I plan to introduce an app to new users. It should not whether they are newbies or technogeeks, they should be able to catch on quickly,
There you have it. I use those principles when choosing apps. I hope you find this helpful and look forward to highlighting some of my favorite apps in the future.