Fortunately for us, the introduction of Android has been a godsend. We manage a significant amount of our business thanks to our phones. From using the Wifi hotspot abilities when on the road, to logmein for emergency maintenance, to Invoicing clients, to managing documents online. So here is a quick list of our favourite Apps…The one’s we simply could not live without.

The Best Business Apps for Android

Google Authenticator App

2 -step verification on your Google Apps email account. This is both for business and security, so we have put this as number 1 on our list. How it works is that your phone needs two specific verifications to allow you to get into your email. The first is your password and the second one is a number that is sent to your mobile. Thus, even if someone has you email password they would also need to have you mobile before being able to get into your Google Apps account.

Zoho Invoice App

This is a great app for helping you manage your Cloud Invoicing platform while on the Go. It is very new… so doesn’t do everything but absolutely essential for the quick management issues.

Dropbox App

If you don’t have Dropbox, Go Get It Now. This is the best cloud file sharing application on the market. This App has been built beautifully including a basic text editor. Great for looking up or sharing your files quickly and efficiently.

Android Lost

Have sensitive info on your phone? Yes, you do….even if it is only your Contacts. This App allows you to text your stolen/lost phone and wipe all the content either by a text or through their web application. Absolute must for the business professional.

PhoneUseage App

Are you on a Text/Call/Data plan? Only have a limited amount of all of these. This App will allow you to easily see how much you have used at any time during the month. You simply tell it what your Text/Call/Data limits are and what day of the month that your account rolls over. This will make sure that you don’t Go-Over your limits.

LogMeIn App

If you are a IT professional, you know LogMeIn.com. This App has a free version but the paid for version is absolutely worth buying. Would highly recommend this for average users as well.

Skype App

Ya, I know I am surprised too. But Skype is being used by businesses more and more. I am always surprised at how much I use it still. Especially given that I have Google Talk/Video client and VOIP. I have to say that there is nothing like getting a video skype call while stuck in traffic on the motorway. Yep, you are looking at me while I am driving! Pretty cool.

Pingdom App

Website owners that are selling online or simply need to esure their website up-time. This app should be at the top of your list. There is nothing more embarrassing than having a client tell you that your website is down.

AVG anti-virus App

Yep, there are viruses that are focused on  mobile applications. Unfortunately, we all have to be more diligent about protecting our data.

Social Networking – Hootsuite App

We like Hootsuite but there are a variety of different Applications on the market. Find the one you like, as each one has its pluses and minuses.

Android Apps for Everyone

Angry Birds App

Ok, I don’t really like this one….but Seamus says its a must, so there you go. We can’t all be perfect

Baby Sign and Learn App

If you have little ones running around. Here is a nice distraction. It teaches you and your baby sign language. Helps them to communicate with you, before they can talk.

Kids Mode from Zoodles App

Is the little one always trying to mess with your phone? Well, now you have Kids Mode to let them at it without having to worry they are going to start calling China on you. Also, lets them access approved Apps, get videos emails from approved family members, and more.

Latitude App

I love to track the family. Find out when the wife is going to showup to collect you from the pub; Know how far away your business partner is when they are stuck in traffic. Great, handy, and you can turn it off anytime you don’t want to be tracked.

TuneIn Radio App

Listen to almost any radio station in the world. This is such a great App that I have found radio stations that I regularly listen to in Mexico, Germany, and more! And being about to sync it with my car speakers means I have the ultimate flexibility.

Dublin Bus App – not actually from Dublin Bus, funny enough.

See when your bus is going to arrive at the nearest stop. It uses the Live feeds from the Dublin Bus signs that are now all over the city. Also, shows you all the routes and more.

Irish Flights App

Get the latest flight arrival information in seconds. If you are like us with family coming and going from all over the world, this one will get used too much.

Nexus Torch App

This one turns on your Camera’s Flash, so you can use it like a torch (flash light – for the Americans). Great for when you are sneaking into bed late without waking up the old lady.

Entertainment.ie App

For everyone in Ireland. This Apps is just class, we take our hat-off to the lads over there. They produce quality online applications and this one is no exception.

Bike Droid App

Like the Dublin Bike Scheme, Ya it is cool. Well, this is even Cooler. Why not see what locations have bikes or which ones have spots left to drop-off your bike. All of the info thanks to Live Feeds.

Luas Times App

Just like Dublin Bus App, this one gives you live feeds on when the next Luas is coming to your stop.

Yelp App

This is a personal favourite of mine. The Yelp App makes it easy to find new restaurants easily, with reviews, pics of the food, open times, contact info, and enables you to search locations that are close to you. This is a tremendous app for all you restaurant lovers out there.

What is two-step login?

Two step login (also known as two factor authentication or 2-step verification) makes login more secure by requiring your password as usual plus a one-time-use code that you have or are sent when needed. The second code is usually generated by your phone or sent by email. This might sound laborious but Google has come up with some nice ways of implementing this so it’s not in your way.

How Google implements Two-Step login.

Google has made two step login very practical now and it’s available for both Gmail and Google Apps users (for business and schools with their own domains). You can have Google remember your computer for 30 days so that you only enter the second code only once a month on a PC you trust. If you access your mail from a new device it will ask for the second code automatically.

To get the second code needed for login Google has an app available for smart phones called Google Authenticator which can generate the code (Android, iPhone, & Blackberry). You can get codes for multiple Google accounts with the app if needed. Alternatively you can be sent the code as a text/sms message to your phone (this service can also be used as a backup to the phone app).

Google has also allowed application specific passwords so that services and devices that don’t support two-step login can but use a highly secure password that is unique to each application. For example if you download and use Google Talk on your PC you will need to generate an application specific password for it (one for each device or service that needs it). Mobile phones usually need this option too. You only need to enter this application specific password once so it’s not something you need to remember.

Google also offers a set of backup codes in case you somehow loose the ability to retrieve your second code. These codes should be stored somewhere safe (like Passpack.com) but won’t be needed except as a backup when everything else goes wrong for you.

Businesses & Schools using Two-step login with Google Apps for your Domain

Business & schools that use Google Apps for your domain need to enable the two-step login for their users first. An administrator must go to the domain management screen, access advance settings, and enable two-step login. Then each user would follow the steps to turn in on for them through their account settings.

Related Links & Help

Google Blog on two-step login

Google Help documentation for two-step verification

Ireland’s Cooling-off Period Rules

• A consumer has 7 working days (not calendar days) to change their mind and return an item (a merchant can extend this if they wish).
• The consumer does not need to give a reason to return the item (a change of mind is OK).
• The consumer is responsible for the cost of shipping the item back to the merchant but no administration or restocking fees can be charged.
• The notice from the consumer must be within the 7 working days and must be in writing by email, fax, or letter.
• The merchant has 30 days from notice of cancellation to refund the money.
• The cooling-off period may be extended for up to THREE MONTHS if the merchant fails to inform the consumer, in writing (email or terms and conditions), of the following details:
  • The trader’s name and address
  • The main characteristics of the goods/service
  • The price of the goods including all taxes
  • Delivery costs
  • Arrangements for the payment, delivery and performance of the contract
  • The existence of the “cooling-off” period and how the consumer can avail of that right
• Products being returned should be in reasonable condition and not abused by the consumer.
• Items bought on ebay from traders/merchants are subject to a cooling-off period.

Exceptions to the Cooling-Off Period

As with every great rule there are exceptions (you saw this coming right?).  If the product falls into these categories the cooling-off period doesn’t apply.

• Auctions
• Goods made to order – for example personalised T-shirts, tailored suits, furniture made to specific dimensions on request etc
• Audio/video recordings when unsealed/opened by the consumer
• Computer software when unsealed/opened by the consumer (this includes turning on a computer that contains software)
• Newspapers and magazines
• Betting, gaming or lottery services
• Contracts for accommodation, transport, catering or leisure services, for a specific time or date (such as train tickets, airline tickets, concert tickets or hotel bookings)

You can find more information about Ireland’s Cooling-off Period rules here.  Some of this post has been copied from consumerconnect.ie to ensure accuracy.

A big thank you to the developers of 7zip which can be downloaded here.

Also a reminder that if you didn’t see our article our trick for using PNG Crush in Windows you may want to check it out too.

In order for us to accomplish this integration with the utmost speed and precision, we have created strategic partnerships with key providers in Ireland. These providers give our clients the edge that is needed in a fast pace business environment. Have a look at some of our most recent partners.

Zoho CRM & Freeman Contingent

Zoho Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

We are pleased to announce that we are now a verified Zoho CRM reseller. Freeman Contingent has been working with Zoho CRM for several years, as it provided our clients with a top-notch CRM solution that was cost effective for their needs. Now that we have Zoho as a strategic partner, we have even more to offer our CRM clients.

Zoho CRM is a unique, customisable, cloud based, scalable CRM solution for all businesses. What this means is simple.

• Zoho CRM allows us to customise their CRM to each clients needs.
• Zoho is cloud based which means you have access to your content anywhere in the world without having to manage costly infrastructure.
• Zoho CRM is also scalable which means that you can increase or decrease your costs based on the number of users you need for your business.

Read More…

Just Search our Search Engine Partner

Just Search is a European leader in the Search Engine Optimisation business. Just Search has been working with us since they moved to Ireland last year. You might ask why we have chosen a SEO company to partner with when Freeman Contingent already does SEO for its customers. The answer is that Just Search is great at focusing your SEO results around Link Building. As many of you know, Link Building is an important aspect of SEO. The more competitive the search terms the more important it is to have a good link building strategy. Just Search provides a cost effective solution to this.

When it comes to all other aspects of SEO Freeman Contingent is still providing everything our clients need. As always, we analyze the needs of each and every client and make our recommendations accordingly. We know that not all industries are alike, so we make sure our clients get the custom experience they have come to expect.

WP Courses Ireland

WordPress Training Courses with Julie Sebode

Julie is a rising star in the WordPress training world and Freeman Contingent is happy to be passing on its recommendation to all our clients. WP Courses Ireland provides beginner and advance training in using WordPress CMS right here in Dublin, Ireland. We highly recommend any that you book a training course with WP Courses Ireland. These classes will give you a foundational understanding of WordPress. If you are looking for a more custom training, why not contact Julie to discuss an on-site training session for you and your staff.

With Julie’s help, Freeman Contingent is looking forward to seeing our clients achieve a high competency in managing their website content. So don’t delay ring Julie today to book her next course.