High Performance Computing

“Get more done” is a classic New Year’s resolution. If you’re like most people, it’s probably turned up on your list on more than one occasion. Fortunately, the app market hears you: the number of productivity apps shot up across all platforms in 2011, and the trend is expected to continue this year. Here are some of the top-ranked productivity and organization apps to have hit the market, and how they can help you.

Evernote: It’s essentially a note-taking tool, but its uses range from organizing class lectures to writing to-do lists and shopping lists to storing information in virtually any form. Whether it’s an audio interview or a picture you took from a window shop, you can file it away and retrieve it any time. The catch is that the premium version comes with a monthly fee, although it’s worth it if you store vast amounts of info.

Sparrow: This email application is a boon for people with constantly flooded inboxes who have to take a pick between Apple and Gmail’s respective email platforms. Features include a search function that can rival that of Google, conversation listings, and a world of customization options. It doesn’t go far beyond email, but if you’re often sifting through your folders for months-old messages, this is a real time-saver.

Pulse: If you’re always making mental notes to check things out as soon as you have time–and then forget it until two weeks later–this app is for you. Basically, it allows you to save websites and articles for later reading, with options such as a simple text view and the ability to share stories on Facebook and Twitter.  You can even sync it with other organization apps, such as Evernote and Instapaper.

Fantastical: You would think a calendar app would need no further simplification, but this project by Flexibits proves otherwise. Its selling point is a natural-language engine, which allows users to write in their own voice. It also determines the event location so you can invite people from your contact list, and individual events can be accessed without opening the entire app. The sleek interface is also a plus.

iDoneThis: A great complement to Fantastical or any to-do list app, this one helps you remember which tasks you’ve completed by sending you daily emails. When you send back a reply, an entry is created and stored in your account. It’s not quite a productivity app, but a way to look at your overall progress and give yourself a pat on the back for getting things done. That’s all the motivation most people need!

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