24 Ways To Boost Your Android Tablet's Productivity

Get work done, on-the go. Check out the iPad edition, too!

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Microsoft / Logitech

1. File Manager HD (Free with in-app purchases, Android)

Search and share files, just as you would on your computer.

2. IF (Free, Android and iOS)

If This Then That is great for automating online services like social media apps. Some tablet-specific recipes include: marking when you met a new contact in your calendar, logging how much time your spend at school/home/work, or setting up an alarm for emails you've starred in Gmail.

3. Wifi Analyzer (Free, Android)

This app is a bit technical, but it's a quick way to find out which Wi-Fi channel is the fastest and least crowded.

4. Office 365 (Free, Android, iOS, and Windows)

This suite includes tablet-friendly versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook. The apps, which include many desktop features, are pretty powerful. Viewing, editing, and creating documents are free, but some capabilities (like tracking and reviewing changes in Word) require a $100/year or $10/month subscription.

5. Copy Bubble (Free, Android)

This is a great clipboard manager for Android. A bubble sits on top of the currently running app so you can easily access clipped texts and images.

6. Slack (Free, Android and iOS)

Slack is *the* app for team communication. It's integrated with services like Dropbox, Google Docs, Asana, and GitHub, which makes file sharing painless. Plus, Slack acts like a browser so you play YouTube videos or SoundCloud audio without having to leave the chatroom.

7. Genius Scan (Free, Android and iOS)

Digitize documents with your tablet's camera, and export them to Box, Dropbox, Evernote, and more as JPG or PDF files.

8. Quip (Free, Android and iOS)

This app offers real-time chat alongside docs, spreadsheets, and lists, allowing you to communicate and collaborate with friends, families, and coworkers without email. It works beautifully offline too.

9. Trello (Free, Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows 8)

Trello is like Pinterest for task management. Every project has its own board and to-dos are broken down into interactive cards with checklists or images attached to them. You can assign due dates to each item and delegate different tasks to different members.

10. Simplenote (Free, Android, iOS, and Kindle)

This is a lightweight note-taking app that plays nice with other platforms. Simplenote syncs, backs up and shares notes seamlessly between desktop and mobile apps. If you've only ever used a feature-rich app like Evernote, definitely try Simplenote (it's free, after all). It's very quick to boot up and easy to understand. In Android, you can also set voice commands, so you can just say "take a note" in Google Now.

11. Keep the original packaging for a free, easy DIY stand.

youtube.com

12. Enable screen zoom by go to Settings > Universal Access (or Accessibility) > select Magnification Gestures. Use it by triple tapping on the screen.

13. To run two apps side-by-side in Samsung tablets, press the back button.

Then drag the app icons from the menu bar over the homescreen.

Samsung

Scroll through the menu bar.

Drag and drop the icons.

14. Hide sensitive files on your Galaxy Tab by going to Settings > Device and turning Private Mode on. Once enabled, you'll be able to select "Move to Private" on any file. After you're done privatizing, turn Private Mode off to hide the files.

Samsung

15. Save a *lot* of power by going to Apps > Settings > General > turning Power Saving mode to On.

Samsung

This will turn your homescreen gray and limit the apps you can use to preserve battery life. Nexus tablets have a similar feature: go to Settings > Device > Battery > Menu > enable Battery Saver.

16. If your kids use your tablet often, get MX Player (Free, Android), which has a Kids Lock feature.

You can also boost your volume to nearly double, which is very useful when traveling in loud cars or airplanes.

17. Project content from your tablet to your TV with Chromecast ($35) by going to Settings > Device > Display > Cast.

Google

In Menu, check "Enable wireless display."

18. Get a wireless keyboard like the Logitech Keys-to-go ($70).

The standalone keyboard connects wirelessly to any tablet via Bluetooth. It's spill and dirt resistant, as well as super portable at just over 6 ounces.

19. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Tab, a good thin and light keyboard case option is the Type S ($100).

There's a wireless Bluetooth keyboard built into the case.

If you have a Nexus, Zagg makes great keyboard cases ($60-$95) for 7-, 8-, and 10-inch Android tablets.

20. Import DSLR photos directly to your tablet with this CF card reader ($20).

21. Use a stylus like the Wacom's Bamboo Stylus Duo ($30) for easy notetaking. There's also a regular pen built-in.

This accessory is awesome for students. Highlight documents, mark up PDFs on your tablet, then brainstorm on a piece of paper with the old-school pen.

22. Clear up precious space by dumping other multimedia into a tablet-compatible flash drive like this micro USB-friendly version ($12-$64).

23. Connect your tablet to your home sound system.

The Nyruis Songo ($50) is a very easy to set up, plug-and-play hi-fidelity music receiver that allows you to listen to music without docking your tablet. It connects your speaker system to your tablet via Bluetooth or aux cable.

24. A good Bluetooth option is the Fluance Fi30 Wood Speaker ($150).

One Amazon reviewer wrote: "It has a beautiful sound and is capable of producing substantial sound listening levels due to its 6Wx2 amplifier feeding 2 full-range drivers and 2 tuned bass ports. Just awesome sound."

Even ~Batman~ uses his tablet for work.

thedarkknightrises.com / Via reddit.com