Prompt:

My Response:

I use a number of different applications on my iPhone, iPad, and computer(s) on a regular basis in my personal and work life. I’d say the applications I use the most are Facebook (personal), Evernote (work), Outlook Exchange Calendar (work/personal), and Google Drive (work/personal).

Facebook
What it is: Social network
Purpose: I use Facebook exclusively for personal purposes, to keep connected with family and friends, though others use it for professional, educational, and other purpose:
Device(s): I use the Facebook app on my iPhone and iPad and (less often) access the Facebook website on my home PC laptop.
Cost: Free
Cloud/Install: Though you can access Facebook in a browser on iPad/iPhone, I prefer to use the installed app. Facebook is accessed via web browser on computers.
Recommendation: I love Facebook and would recommend at least trying it out to anyone. I prefer Facebook as it appear in a browser on a computer but accessing it on mobile devices is much more convenient. I would only recommend using the app if you have a need or desire to access Facebook on the go.

Evernote
What it is: Robust note-taking application
Purpose: Evernote can be used for personal, professional, educational and other reasons. I use it exclusively for taking, keeping, and organizing my notes for work.
Device(s): I use the Evernote app on my iPhone and iPad and (less often) access the Evernote website on my work desktop PC. Your notes are saved in the cloud and can be accessed on a variety of devices.
Cost: Free for basic account
Cloud/Install: Though you can access Evernote in a browser on iPad/iPhone, I prefer to use the installed app. Evernote is accessed via web browser on computers.
Recommendation: Evernote is an incredible tool that I would recommend to anyone with a need to take notes. In addition to typing in notes, you can scan documents in (or use your mobile device camera to take pictures!), record audio notes, take handwritten notes. Note that you may need special hardware or devices to take these other kinds of notes or to make scans/take pictures.

Outlook Calendar with Exchange Server (and Calendar app on iPad/iPhone)
What it is: Calendar/Planner
Purpose: Evernote can be used for personal, professional, educational and other reasons. I use it to calendar quite literally everything in my life! I often say, if it isn’t in my calendar, it doesn’t exist.
Device(s): I have Microsoft Outlook installed on my work desktop PC and it’s set up to work with the Exchange server. I’ll be honest — I don’t quite understand how Exchange works! From what I read, I believe Exchange is installed on my workplace’s server and the Outlook software is the tool I use on my computer to access the data from it. Similarly, the standard Calendar app on my iPhone and iPad access and display the data. It ends up working much like apps that store your content in the cloud but the information is on a server at my work.
Cost: Outlook is available in the Office Suite which is $100 or more; iPhone/iPad Calendar app is free; Exchange is very expensive and not something an individual would buy
Cloud/Install: Exchange is installed on a server, Outlook is installed on computers, and the Calendar app is installed on Apple devices
Recommendation: If your workplace provides you with Exchange and Outlook, I highly recommend you use it. The use of any mobile calendar app that syncs with Exchange is highly recommended so you have access to your calendar no matter where you are.

Google Drive
What it is: Cloud-based storage and alternative to Microsoft Office
Purpose: Google Drive can be used for personal, professional, educational and other reasons. I use it for everything!
Device(s): I use the Drive app (and corresponding app for Google Docs) on my iPhone and iPad and access the Drive via the Google website on my work desktop PC and home laptop PC. Your notes are saved in the cloud and can be accessed on a variety of devices.
Cost: Free
Cloud/Install: Though you can access Google Drive in a browser on iPad/iPhone, I prefer to use the installed app. Drive is accessed via web browser on computers.
Recommendation: Everyone should use Drive! Not only can you store your documents and files online so they are accessible anywhere with internet, but you can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, surveys, and more. Drive goes even further to allow you to work on documents collaboratively. All of the collaborative projects I work on, I use Google Drive with my teams.