App By App – Life of A Digital Nomad
Digital nomadism, a dream many have, few experience.
What draws some people into the lure of the big wide world while others are happily working for a boss for the rest of their working lives? The answer of course lies in your own beliefs. What might be someone’s idea of Just Over Broke (J.O.B.) is someone else’s belief of living a secure life.
Go figure…
The reality of a digital revolution can be seen all around us. Have you harbored a late guess at what percentage of the population walks around with a smartphone these days?
I dare you to look closer. On a recent leisure/business trip to tropical Cairns I couldn’t help notice how many people were actually in the possession of an iPhone. These iPhone warriors were EVERYWHERE! I kid you not; they were at the airport, at the taxi rank, at the hotel, in the local coffee shop and in the park. Heck, they even were in the rainforest.
Thanks to the ever increasing connectivty of 3G (or is it 4G now) we can stay in touch with our zealous Facebook and Twitter followers while snorkeling on the Barrier Reef, or sipping a cafe latte, surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Digital Nomads Use Apps to Stay Connected
Digital nomads who hold themselves in high esteem (thanks to their technical savvyness – just kidding) use apps to stay in touch with their business while traveling the world. I happen to own an iPhone and it is by far the best digital tool I have ever laid my hands on – and I do happen to LOVE my MBP! The iPhone truly allows me to enjoy my life as a digital nomad without feeling guilty. I no longer have to worry about missed opportunities, or deadlines because I couldn’t get to a PC/Mac in time. My iPhone keeps me connected while I laze in the sunshine with a good book, while I sit in the coffee shop with a friend, and while I simply enjoy the advantages of being self-employed with my own agenda.
I can tweet, upload photos to Facebook, reply to a client inquiry, collaborate with my team, and send invoices – thanks to apps that help me stay organized.
What’s on My iPhone?
To be honest, right now a whole lot of clutter besides some REALLY cool apps that have helped to make a huge difference in my schedule.
Productivity apps:
- Dropbox: To help me keep files organized while my Mac stays relative clutter-free
- WriteRoom: For writing blog posts on the go. Admitedly it’s not that easy as trying to thumb blocks of text into a small device is rather time consuming. I’d like to keep it as a last resort for emergencies.
- Office2Plus: To create documents and spreadsheets on the go. I can also share these via iTunes, email, WiFi, cloud servers, or local sharing. It’s a great way to put the finishing touches on an important document while being out and about from the office.
- Evernote: Great app. No further explanation needed.
- WiFiGet: Good app to scan surrounding area for WiFi networks – both free and paid.
- iDisk: Keeps me synched with my MBP. Having said this I also use Dropbox for same. Can’t have enough cloud-based storage.
- Roboform: Can’t live without my safe and secure password manager on the fly, especially if I’m tempted to use free WiFi hotspots. Got to mind those nasty scam artists who prowl these spots in the hopes of robbing you of your last paycheck.
Mind apps:
I happen to be a sucker for personal development so the following mind apps come in handy on a regular basis:
- White Noise: Allows me to work distraction free and really get into the zone. LOVE it! I can also use it to gently lull me to sleep after a hard days work.
- OM Mediation: Being a yoga practitioner and believer in ancient Eastern ways of life this app keeps me grounded during meditation or practice.
- iMindMap: While technically a productivity app, this app helps me zone out from my usual mind clutter and focus on the task ahead.
- Sleep Cycle: This is a REALLY cool app. I’m relatively new to it and only just discovered its power. With this app you can monitor your sleep cycle. It promises to wake you up during the lightest sleep phase, providing you with a better sense of wellbeing and more energy at the start of your day.
- SimplyBeing: Has some lovely guided meditation. I love the 5 minute meditation options with music. A great way to renew your mind and spirit on the fly.
Travel apps:
- iTranslate: Does exactly that – translate sentences from one language to the next. Perfect to get acquainted with your newest best friends in a foreign country.
- Weather: The weather app comes as a standard with the iPhone, but what I like about it is the fact that I can set it for different cities worlwide, allowing me to see the weather forecast for my travel destination before I leave home. I never have to guess what to pack.
- AroundMe: Has some good localized information about coffee shops, banks, shops, retail, hotels, gas stations and more. On a trip to Brisbane a couple of months back I was able to find a great coffee shop with this app – considering I was a long way from the city made this even better.
- Maps: This out-of-the-box app is one of my favorites. It acts as a GPS and is great for new destinations. While it does chew your download data plan I can’t imagine not using this cool app. Great for finding your way to the hotel with a hired car.
Entertainment apps:
- SHOUTcast Radio: This app is pretty good for finding radio stations. I use it a lot for its classical music selection since I don’t have a lot of classical music at home.
- App store: How could you NOT use this for entertainment purposes. I bet you find new goodies on each new visit. It’s kind of contagious.
- Borders: Since the iBook app really does SUCK (especially at the moment) I have searched further afield and found Borders. This Australian bookshop app is way cooler than iBook hopes to be and features an impressive list of affordable e(i)Books.
Social Networking apps:
How could I forget the most important apps to stay connected with the world?
- Facebook app: Words are not needed.
- Twitter app: Tweet your life away.
- Skype: This is my kind of app. Especially now I’ve upgraded my software. I can get push notifications while running this app in the background. Not bad for a little piece of software.
- Fring: I think this app is better than I currently think it is. I just haven’t worked it out. I downloaded it because I was under the impression I can use it for Skype too, but haven’t figured out how, lol.
App I truly miss:
Just after discovering Grooveshark and learning that Apple had released the free Grooveshark app I had to let go when they pulled it a few days later. I really wish this app will eventually return to the app store, but I have a sneaky feeling that it won’t, because of potential copyright issues. We’ll see.
Meanwhile, have fun while digging around the app store for yourself, and if you’re a digital nomad I hope to meet you in the great outdoors one day.
Monika Mundell is a busy copywriter, digital nomad and lover of the great outdoors. If she isn’t found hammering away at her keyboard she is probably enjoying some downtime with her hubby, babies (pet birds), or stuck on some tropical island while cruising the world.
You can connect with Monika on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn where she has been extremely un-busy over the last year. An influx of new followers might just animate her to get her act together.
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About The Blog Author
Alex Sysoef is an IT Consultant, Internet Marketer and ProBlogger who shares his passion and knowledge of WordPress, SEO, Social Media and traffic strategies on his blog WordPress Howto Spotter. Connect on Twitter or Facebook
30 Responses to “App By App – Life of A Digital Nomad”
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App By App – Life of A Digital Nomad: Digital nomadism, a dream many have, few experience. What draws some people … http://bit.ly/aOH7RI
I still don’t have an iPhone. Everyone that I’ve talked to is in LOVE with theirs, but I’m hearing a lot about this Droid phone as well. I’m certainly not tech savy when it comes to phone, but will be getting one before year end.
Great Post, we certainly are in the age of the digital nomad
Heather Masson recently posted..Get to Work – Or Just Get Busy A Bit of a Rant
Hello Heather, great to have you stop by. I definitely recommend the iPhone. It’s such a useful gadget and saves me heaps of time and headaches, nt to mention the fun factor I have while “fondling it,” LOL.
Convincing, but is it really worth the money? The iPhone has now got more competition with Android and others, so hopefully the price will drop!
Christopher Roberts recently posted..Google Instant
Christopher,
My personal choice for next phone is Android based – but hey, I don’t like to be locked into any proprietary software if I have an options.
Android also seems a good phone, I may warm to it more, as it is Google powered, however its still very expensive!
Christopher Roberts recently posted..UK Launched Largest Global Offshore Wind Farm
I refuse to be jealous of your iphone,
i will stand up for Microsoft and my windows mobile 
Hello Peter, you should be, lol.
I appreciate that some people love Windows while others are Mac converts. I also appreciate your lovely comment and smile. Have a great day.
Nah, I can’t help it. I have to admit that I envy your IPhone. I’m particularly interested in that Sleep Cycle App (and the other mind apps). Gotta have that app even if it takes really buying an Iphone just for that.
James Moralde recently posted..Automatic Photo Scanner Picks
monica, Good to see the list. and saw your recommendation to use iphone, and how it raised your spending on quality time and ease of use.
Here in India, the main issue we face is the connectivity. can you believe? its just around 6 months since 3G is here and that too its actively with a single player, the government enterprises called BSNL. Dear here is an interesting subject for you to write.
“India is considered as most technology capable nation, still lags behind in adopting technology”
vishnu recently posted..Google Priority Inbox- Prioritize your email!
Hello Vishnu, this is indeed VERY surprising to hear. You of all nations should be leading the rest of us when it comes to technology. I wonder what happened there? This really does surprise me. And here I was thinking you were all running around with shiny gadgets on your hips, lol.
While I’ll never own an iPhone, you did mention a few apps I’ve been meaning to get for home use…..ever-note being one for sure.
Truth be told, minus a 6-week stint a couple yrs ago in a physical rehab center, I haven’t owned a cell phone in 20yrs. Woot!
Dennis Edell recently posted..Welcome To The All New DennisEdellcom!
You are lucky
always unplugged … most of us can only wish for it
Hi Alex, I am a regular reader of your blog, and was wondering whether you had ever considered the “KeywordLuv” WordPress plugin. You clearly state in your comment policy “No Keywords In Name” but KeywordLuv would mean that people use their name, it would just mean that their links would be their keywords rather than having to change their “Name”.
Just an idea.
Thanks for your good work, I look forward to future posts!
Christopher
P.S your contact form didn’t seem to work, so I have had to post this as a comment.
Christopher Roberts recently posted..BBC Lose £240k of Technology
Christopher – I used to have it and removed it due to overload of SPAM comments. I’m sorry if this makes some people unhappy but I wasted too much time battling comment spam to make it worth the effort.
Ok, point taken. Don't you just hate spam – I do!
Christopher Roberts recently posted..Technology Blogs Birthday – 10th August 2010
“…iPhone warrior…” – LOL. Yes. I confess I am one of those. I don’t know how I ever lived without my iPhone. Truly. I use it and its many apps several times a day – every day. It has made me a much more productive person!
Deborah Gamble recently posted..Faceoff Over Facebook Trademark
I currently have a blackberry but I’m anxiously waiting for my contract to expire so I can get an iphone. I’ve gone back and forth as to whether to get an iphone or a droid but have decided to just take the leap and get an iphone.
Sometimes I wish I could go back to no cell phone but I have to admit it’s great for business to be connected wherever I’m at.
Annie recently posted..Pirate Wench Dress
Hi Annie, I second your comment 500%.
I’m contented with my PC at home. But if there’s a chance to buy a gadget like iPhone, I will get one. It seems to be very useful for you and your business.
Regards,
Regina recently posted..LCD TV- Great Addition for Home
Really? Would you not consider a Windows Phone or an Android.
What makes people automatically want an iPhone, is it just the brand?
Christopher Roberts recently posted..UK Launched Largest Global Offshore Wind Farm
This is a fantastic topic. So many of my friends (and myself!) are moving towards their own businesses, most of which are different than the classic 9-5′er.
I don’t have an iPhone, but my BB serves just fine now. Just because we want to move away from the 9-5, though doesn’t mean we’ll pull it off
.
I’ve read and watched some stuff by Dave Crenshaw where he talks about learning how to use technology well. The downside to being available all the time… is being available all the time. So I’m doing just as much learning on how to shut the thing off as I am in how to plug in.
Look forward to more blog postings, thanks!
Chris Fellows recently posted..Run a small business and ever have trouble falling asleep
Great post, Monika! When I speak at various marketing events around North America, Teri keeps us in constant contact with our operations through her iPod, iPhone, NetBook and Laptop – the 4 pillars of digital nomadism.
Watch for a ton of new apps as the SmartChip technology war heats up – Intel just announced plans for a chip that includes separate graphics technology, for example.
And take a look at Shazam – you’ll love it when you use it with your ShoutCastRadio. Not only will it identify any song that’s playing, it’ll even give you a link to buy the song from iTunes if you want to.
Doug Champigny recently posted..How Online Advertising Saves Offline Businesses Money
Dropbox and Google Chrome sync is what I use to keep my data synchronized between my workplace and home. Sync files and bookmarks as well as web history
.
Icechen1 recently posted..8-bit trip in legos
I’d have to say that while it’s easy to use, the iPhone isn’t the best tool for writing large chunks of text on the move.
That honour would have to go to one of the many handsets running either the Android or Windows Mobile platforms, both of which can install Swype. Using Swype it’s possible to get up to about 60wpm with a bit of practice.
Hi Monika,
Digital Nomadism is a term I’m reading for the first time. But it’s certainly a reality that people seem to be connected no matter where they go.
I’m not always sure if it is a good thing. How can one relax completely without being able to get away from everything?
I know that we can turn these things off but how many people bring themselves to doing it?
After all we are now expected to be reachable all the time.
iPhone certainly is a very smart phone with all the new apps coming out constantly.
I admire your ability to have that many on your iPhone and not get confused.
I keep wondering whether to get an iPhone or the Droid.
It seems that I’ll have to get one of them soon.
Vance
Vance Sova recently posted..How To Get More Readers- 10 Tips To Make Your Blog More Popular
For business purposes I have iPhone and Android and they both have great apps that regretfully I don’t really get to use that much because I’m glued to my pc during the day and my free time is for my gardening.(Gardening? I know, I know, where did that come from? Well, what can I can say? I like to grow my own we–… haha just kidding. I like plants, period)
Elise recently posted..Galaxy Tab is iPad’s Contender
good round up of apps there Monika. I’m already planning to buy one, anytime soon now, I hope. Though I’ve tried being a digital nomad with just my laptop (not around the world though LOL), I still think that an iphone is more handy.
Jason recently posted..SEO Strategies