A new study analyzing Google Play downloads of productivity tools has shown an overwhelming majority of mobile users turning to their smartphones to navigate their professional lives and schedule day-to-day tasks.
The report by SplitMetrics found the top apps in the business and productivity categories have amassed a staggering 4.7 billion and 55 billion downloads respectively. Microsoft’s LinkedIn leads the business category with a whopping 1.5 billion lifetime downloads, followed by video conferencing giants Zoom (1.1bn) and Microsoft Teams (426m), then OfficeSuite (195m) and Indeed (188m).
In the productivity category, it’s Google that leads the way. Google Drive has racked up an impressive 10 billion lifetime downloads, followed by Google Calendar (6bn), Microsoft OneDrive (4bn), Google Assistant (3bn) and Google Keep (2.7bn).
Productivity boosts all round
The study also reveals the apps that have delivered the most significant year-on-year growth. Lopay: Payments & POS achieved a 339% increase in the business section in 2023, followed by Etsy Seller (329%), JobSwipe (221%), Parcel Tracking – pkge Mobile (144%) and Shopify (83%).
PDF Reader – PDF Viewer experienced the biggest growth in productivity in 2023 with a 701% jump. It was followed by Notepad (457%), All Document Reader (431%), Google Tasks (29%) and Link to Windows (21%).
Thomas Kriebernegg, General Manager of SplitMetrics, said: “The data paints a clear picture. Tools that empower people to be productive and manage their work or businesses effectively are very popular. The rise of on-demand services, remote work, and mobile entrepreneurship is driving the demand for user-friendly, feature-rich business and productivity apps. While user acquisition costs may be higher in the business category, the high engagement and potential value users bring means there’s a significant market opportunity.”
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Crafted by Google, Google Workspace stands as a comprehensive suite of cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration features for businesses of all sizes. Offering a rich array of office software tools like Gmail, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, it helps users accomplish tasks with remarkable speed and efficiency. In short, you get to be productive and organize all your tasks in one place whether you prefer to work remotely or in the office.
And that’s why we couldn’t help ourselves and share these discount codes on Google Workspace. Both plans are replete with essential productivity tools and a range of collaborative features finely tuned for seamless teamwork. These enticing discount codes from Google Workspace may be exactly what you need to refresh your productivity.
Google Workspace deals
If you would like to learn more about Google Workspace, check out our in-depth review of why we think it’s an excellent choice for remote organizations of all sizes.
LG launched a separate laptop in its Gram lineup called the LG Gram SuperSlim, which borrows heavily from the adjacent 2023 LG Gram Style model in terms of its looks. However, the latter was a disappointment in terms of performance, despite my loving the extremely thin and light chassis and aesthetically pleasing design.
So color me suspicious about the SuperSlim and whether it could impress me. What I’ve found is a mixed bag, with middling benchmark results and surprisingly solid productivity performance that could rival even the best laptops. However, some drawbacks still hold this laptop back.
At first glance, the SuperSlim is in a less impressive black color than its counterpart, but it makes up for that by its 15.6-inch weight and measurements beating out the 16-inch sizes of the Style and matching the 14-inch version. The result is an absolutely dreamy lightweight and razor-thin chassis and, unlike the Style, it doesn’t have that cheap plastic feel to it.
There’s still a slight wobble to the hinge but all around it feels far more stable and solid, with a superior build quality. I also enjoy the material of the chassis, which has a more textured feel to it.
Ventilation has much improved, with the laptop staying cool even during heavy workloads, which is another improvement over the Slim, which suffered from overheating issues. LG seems to have addressed many build issues between these two laptops.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The keyboard still features snappy and responsive keys, which are nice and wide and perfect for a variety of finger sizes to type on with little chance for typos. Thankfully the touchpad has been restored to a much more standard one, and it’s perfectly responsive, unlike the haptic feedback nightmare on the Style.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The display’s resolution did take a hit compared to the Style’s 2.8 or 3K, as the SuperSlim is now FHD. It still thankfully retains the OLED screen and supports HDR, giving the display that sharp and bright look.
The webcam is pretty standard, which is to say not particularly great but is fine for conference calls. The sound quality is quite solid, able to differentiate between various instruments as well as reproduce a deep bass. Its volume is also a noticeable improvement from the Style, as it can get pretty loud without losing too much in quality.
LG Gram SuperSlim: Benchmarks
Here’s how the LG Gram SuperSlim performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 16,447; Fire Strike: 4,842; Time Spy: 1,778 Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 8,275 points GeekBench 5: 1,842 (single-core); 9,783 (multi-core) PCMark 10 (Home Test): 5,495 points Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 14 hours, 55 minutes Civilization VI (1080p, Ultra): 42 fps; (1080p, Low): 25 fps
Though on paper through benchmark tests its performance is about the same as the Gram Style, in practice it functions much better. Productivity-wise, it’s capable of having tons of tabs open for both work and play including video conference meetings, word-processing documents and spreadsheets, video streaming, and more. Unfortunately, that means its CPU benchmarks are still below that of other similar Ultrabooks.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The LG Gram SuperSlim is made for office work and casual use through and through with almost no heavy-duty gaming capabilities. It’s all thanks to the bog-standard mobile GPU, which is rather offensive considering the steep price of the machine.
Other laptops for a similar price are equipped with a proper gaming GPU, so why LG refuses to make the upgrade is mind-boggling. Even a laptop like the Dell XPS 17 (2024) has better specs for a similar price point, and the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) doesn’t have a gaming GPU but the M3 chip is far superior to Intel’s silicon.
By far the biggest improvement over the Style is its extraordinary battery power, though, which gets close to rivaling even the best MacBook and best MacBook Pro models. During our battery tests, it was even able to last around 15 hours and that was under the stress of constant movie playing.
All in all, the LG Gram SuperSlim is something of a mixed bag, with some fantastic performance in terms of productivity and battery life, but don’t expect much more from it than that.
LG Gram SuperSlim: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $1,649 / £1,299 (about AU$2,530)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK
The LG Gram SuperSlim is an Ultrabook is currently retailing at $1,649 / £1,299 (about AU$2,530), with availability in both the US and the UK. Unfortunately, this particular model has been discontinued in Australia, so buyers out there would have to import it, making it even more expensive.
As for pricing itself, while it’s overall a superior model to the Style with some much-needed changes and enhancements, it’s still a hard sell compared to other similarly priced products like the Dell XPS 17 (2024) and the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch with M3, which both boast more well-rounded usage and better specs.
Unless the price drops down significantly, it would be difficult to make the SuperSlim more appealing to buyers. This is a shame since it does have a great niche as an incredibly portable laptop that works for offices and during commutes and events. If you can buy this laptop with a decent discount, then it’s definitely worth considering.
LG Gram SuperSlim: Specs
As of now, the only model available in both the US and UK is this setup: Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD of storage. There’s also no way to customize or upgrade the SuperSlim either.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
LG Gram SuperSlim Specs
Price
Row 0 – Cell 1
$1,649 / £1,299 (about AU$2,530)
CPU
Intel Core i7-1360P
GPU
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM
16GB
Storage
1TB SSD
Screen
15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 FHD OLED
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.1
Webcam
Full HD IR Webcam with Dual Mic
Weight
2.2 pounds
Dimensions
14.0 x 9.0 x 0.5 inches (356 x 227.45 x 12.55 mm; W x H x D)
Should you buy the LG Gram SuperSlim?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
LG Gram SuperSlim
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
The price is still far too steep for what it offers
2.5 / 5
Specs
The CPU is a solid 13th-Gen Intel Core i7, though it lacks a gaming GPU that other Ultrabooks have at this price.
3 / 5
Design
It’s incredibly light and thin with a pretty sturdy chassis, and it’s very stylish overall.
4.5 / 5
Performance
While benchmarks are average at best, its productivity performance is quite good.
4 / 5
Battery
The battery life is comparable to a MacBook, which is absolutely incredible.
5 / 5
Average total
This laptop is a solid buy for those who want a slim and light productivity machine with an excellent battery. But it also lacks a good GPU and is way too overpriced for what it offers.
3.7 / 5
Buy the LG Gram SuperSlim if…
Don’t buy it if…
LG Gram SuperSlim: Also consider
If my LG Gram SuperSlim review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider…
How I tested the LG Gram SuperSlim?
I tested the LG Gram SuperSlim for several weeks
I tested it using productivity and creative applications, as well as gaming
I stress-tested the battery using the TechRadar movie test
First, I tested the general weight and portability of the LG Gram SuperSlim by carrying it around in a laptop bag. After I set it up, I ran several benchmarks to thoroughly test out the processor and graphics card. Finally, I used a variety of programs and applications to test out both battery life and general performance during work-like conditions, as well as gaming benchmarks to test the RTX 4050 GPU.
The LG Gram SuperSlim is meant to be a portable laptop with a thin and light chassis. I had to spend a good amount of testing not only on performance issues but also looking for any ventilation issues. I also tested out battery life to see how long it could last off AC power.
I’ve tested plenty of gaming PCs and laptops, making me more than qualified to understand benchmark test results and how to properly stress test machines to see how well they perform as a work machine.
Mayton Motion has developed a wireless adapter that transforms a car’s navigation screen into a functional laptop-like display. Users can access a range of new features by connecting the device via the car’s USB port.
AutoPro X is powered by Android Auto/Samsung DeX (it only works with Samsung Galaxy models that support DeX) and offers Bluetooth pairing, so users can connect game controllers, keyboards and other devices to the screen. This isn’t necessarily the greatest of ideas, since it could end up being a distraction for the driver, but we’d hope for some common sense to be used here.
Mayton says the AutoPro X allows all manner of functionality such as GPS, YouTube or OTT streaming, internet browsing, email, social media, Chat GPT, document processing, gaming, and voice recognition.
Back on Kickstarter
AutoPro X has a ‘Screen Select Mode’, which allows drivers to adjust the display size to either fill the screen or show it in the original ratio.
AutoPro X is available to back on Kickstarter, with Early Bird pricing at $140.
The device is compatible with vehicles that can be connected to Samsung Galaxy phones and Android Auto. Your car does have to support wired Android Auto. Mayton says, “The easiest way to check is to connect your vehicle with a cable and see if Android Auto works. If it does, you should be able to use our product.” You can also browse the compatible phones and vehicles list on the Kickstarter page.
As with any crowdsourced projects, you should be aware that backing a product doesn’t mean that it will be completed or that you will receive the item you backed. That said, at the time of writing, $142,984 had been pledged, well above the $5000 goal, so it’s looking positive.
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Work smarter with a lifetime of MS Project for just $19.97. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Every project needs a good team, but even the best personnel can get tangled when the job sprawls into different areas. That’s when the right software isn’t just a help — it’s a necessity. Microsoft has been helping workers boost productivity for decades with critical software (including early Mac apps). But there’s one tool you won’t find bundled with Microsoft 365, and you can get it in our Microsoft Project sale.
Thanks to this deal, new users can now get a lifetime license to Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for PC for less than $20. That’s an 92% discount off the usual price of $249.99 … and our lowest price ever!
Microsoft Project sale: Save on comprehensive project-management tools
Fire up Microsoft Project, and you will find an all-in-one hub to help you plot the course to your next goal. With MS Project, it’s easy for first-time users to create a custom timeline or use one of several premade templates and tweak it to suit their needs. You can then populate that timeline with tasks assigned to team members with a click or two.
Project managers can work faster and smarter thanks to “what-if” scenarios that can game the outcome of any assignment. Projects can be set to auto-populate deadlines and start dates based on the dependencies of other tasks. Plus, team members can instantly zoom out to see multiple timelines and how they interact.
Throughout the mission, Microsoft Project can keep track of time spent and take timesheets to keep payroll on track.
Save with genuine software and watch your productivity soar
It should come as no surprise that this platform plays well with other Microsoft tools like Outlook or Teams, and it’s easy to sync to Project Online or Project Server. MS Project can even support the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and can pair easily with Office LTSC and Office 2021. No wonder it boasts a 4.4-star rating out of five on GetApp.
In our Microsoft Project sale, you can boost your efficiency with lifetime access to Microsoft Project 2021 Professional for PC for just $19.97. There’s no coupon required to get our lowest price ever on this powerful project-management software. This flash sale ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on April 22, 2024.
Prices subject to change. All sales handled by StackCommerce, our partner who runs Cult of Mac Deals. For customer support, please email StackSocial directly. We originally published this Microsoft Project sale post on February 27, 2024. We updated the pricing info.
When you buy a new laptop or PC, it’s easy to only focus on the big three: Processor, graphics and RAM (sorry storage fans, that’s a close fourth). It’s the little things that are simple to overlook. The rig I recently upgraded to is solid, and I had a nice keyboard already — but oh boy did I really need to find the best productivity mouse. Mice may not be sexy peripherals, but if you spend hours a day in front of a computer screen, they could help make things more comfortable for you in the long run. My old Magic Mouse could have made the move from MacOS to Windows, but I was already negotiating some pretty bad RSI and the internal battery was starting to waiver. Not least of all, I wanted something that I could charge and use at the same time — the temerity, I know.
Not to mention, since the advent of devices such as the Stream Deck and the Loupedeck Live I have developed a taste for physical, assignable controls. Also, as a recent convert to the world of mechanical keyboards, I was hoping there was a similar world of boutique, bespoke options. It turns out that productivity mice are still a largely off-the-shelf affair, but I was determined to get through some of the more promising options and find something I could live with, possibly for another decade. So I set out to find the best productivity mouse for me by testing a number of the most popular wireless mice available today; these are my favorites.
The obvious candidates
James Trew / Engadget
Google around for “the best PC mouse” or “the best productivity mouse” and you’ll find one answer: Logitech’s MX Master 3. You might see a few mentions of others — like the Razer Pro Click and Microsoft’s Surface Precision mouse — but the reviews are clear that the MX 3 Master is the one. Since we first published this guide, Logitech has released the MX Master 3S which improves on the already popular device with a sharper sensor and quieter buttons. We’ve updated this guide accordingly.
I looked at all three of these, and honestly, there’s not a lot in it. All of them cost $100 and all of them meet my basic requirements of decent ergonomics, configurable buttons and solid battery life. The latter is the hardest to quantify thanks to how each manufacturer likes to define “time.” For Logi’s MX Master 3S it’s “70 days.” Razer on the other hand touts the Pro Click as lasting between 200 and 400 hours depending on whether you use their USB dongle or Bluetooth respectively (that’s 8-16 “days” but it’s not clear if this is “in use”).
Microsoft’s Surface Precision is listed as “up to 3 months” which I somehow read with an implied shrug on their part. It’s hard to know whether those are active use or “the mouse is on and it’s on your desk.” The better news is that all of them can be charged while you use them. In practice, I found the MX Master 3S to last the longest, but also needing a charge way sooner than its 70 days claim, in my experience it’s more like every 5-6 weeks.
Of this trio, the Pro Click offers the most configurable buttons (8). The MX Master 3S is a close second (7) but has the advantage of a second scroll wheel near the thumb. In reality, two of Razer’s “buttons” are side-clicks on the scroll wheel — typically these default to sideways scroll, the same as Logi’s thumb dial does. The net result is that I found the MX Master 3S slightly more configurable for my use cases. The thumbwheel is perfect for switching between desktops — something I do a lot, which would occupy two slots on the Razer meaning, effectively, the MX Master 3S has one more spare button in this setup.
James Trew / Engadget
While we’re on the topic of buttons, the new MX Master 3S wireless mouse has almost no click sound at all. It makes almost every other mouse seem quite conspicuous by comparison. It also means the click motion feels a little smoother which all adds up to a much nicer experience.
Lastly, there’s a programmable button on the MX master 3S located just under where your thumb rests. This can be used for almost anything, but by default, it activates something called “gesture control,” which lets you assign certain tasks to, you guessed it, different gestures. I gave the gesture controls a spin and they seemed pretty helpful, but the usefulness soon dissolved when I found I wasn’t always able to ace the gesture on the first attempt.
For its part, Microsoft’s Surface Precision mouse offers six buttons and includes left/right clicks on the scroll wheel, putting it about on par with Razer and a shade under the MX Master 3S for configuration dorks like me.
All three companies offer companion software — Microsoft’s is built right-in to Windows. It’s worth noting that Logitech makes a distinction between its office mice and its gaming mice which I’ll get to later (basically, different software with different configuration options). The short version is each gets its own software and what you can do there differs which will be a key factor if considering a variety of their models..
I found Logitech’s Options software the most straightforward with a deep selection of Windows commands, media controls, shortcuts and navigation tools on offer. You can also assign keystroke combinations if something you need isn’t listed. On top of that there are options for app-specific buttons which means you can, for example, have right-click do one thing in Photoshop but something totally different in Chrome. Logitech doesn’t offer full macros in Options though, so more complex commands are off the table via the native software.
James Trew / Engadget
Razer’s Synapse also offers app-specific controls alongside a wealth of predefined media and OS shortcuts, but perhaps less comprehensive than those found in Options. That said, you do also have full macro support: Simply hit record and whatever you do next can be converted into a single click of the mouse. There’s even “HyperShift” which means you can add a second layer of commands while holding down an allocated button.
Microsoft’s Mouse and Keyboard Center is no slouch either with some decent shortcuts on offer and support for both macros and app-specific controls. Though, overall, it’s perhaps less in-depth than both Logitech and Razer’s companion apps.
On a more minor note. During my time with MacOS I joined the dark side of “natural scroll.” It’s not a deal-breaker for me, as I don’t mind regular scroll, but Logitech and Microsoft both offer reverse scrolling as a setting, Razer doesn’t appear to — though you can work around this in other ways of course.
All the above mice offer the flexibility of both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, can be used while cabled and support multi-device (at the same time) modes, if that’s your thing.
Winner: MX Master 3S.
Gaming mice for everyday use
Just because a mouse has a gaming focus, it doesn’t mean it’s no good for productivity. That was my reasoning when I looked at things like the Logitech G502 Lightspeed and the G Pro X Superlight. From Razer, the Viper Ultimate looked like another strong option.
There are a few things that change once you go gamer it seems. First: Things get much much lighter. The heaviest I tried was the G502 which, at 114g is a hair heavier than the Razer Pro Click (106g). But 26g lighter than the MX Master 3S. The G Pro X Superlight and the Viper Ultra are much more svelte however, weighing in at 63g and 74g respectively. This puts the G Pro X at under half the weight of its Logitech productivity sibling.
James Trew / Engadget
The next thing to consider is the form factor. Gaming mice are much more likely to have either a neutral or ambidextrous design. This isn’t a no-no for my RSI concerns (especially when offset against the lighter weight) but it was something I was cautious about. Of the ones I am testing here, the G502 Lightspeed is the most “ergonomic.”
Lastly, gamers want speed and even 2.4GHz is a bit too laggy for some, so Bluetooth connectivity is rare to find in this category. That’s not a deal-breaker for me, but worth knowing in case it is for you.
I actually had high hopes for the G502 Lightspeed. Not only is it lighter and a similar form factor to the MX Master 3S, it offers a whopping 11 configurable buttons. What’s more you’re able to assign full macros along with a slew of deep keyboard commands to those buttons. From a customization standpoint, it’s pretty comprehensive. The G502’s office-bound rival has most of what you need, but macros aren’t there and the keyboard commands on offer aren’t as extensive as in Logitech’s gamer-focused G Hub software.
I should mention the G Pro X Superlight here, too, given it uses the same software as the G502. The G Pro X is semi ambidextrous (you can palm it with either hand, but the extra buttons are only on one side). There are only five buttons total, too.
The issue for me was really all in the handling. I liked that both of these were lighter, that’s a solid plus. But the wealth of buttons on the G502 meant things were a little more cramped. For example, there are two right alongside the left-click button and then another two just above where your thumb rests. They aren’t hard to locate without looking, but overall not as naturally placed as those on the MX Master 3S, at least in my opinion. Also, the scroll wheel on both the G502 and the G Pro X protrudes more than any of the other mice on this list which, again, takes some getting used to. Neither was as fluid or comfortable to me as those in the MX Master 3S or Razer Pro click.
Moreover, the G502 has a button to switch between smooth and ratchet scroll (fast, free gliding versus clicky slow, basically). The MX Master 3S offers both types of scrolling but with a setting where ratchet mode will seamlessly become smooth mode which is much more apt for browsing and navigating lists. I found scrolling on the G502 a bit annoying. Much bigger “clicks” and finding the button to switch to smooth seemed to kill my flow. I am guessing it’s better for gamers though.
The G Pro X, for its part, is a really nice option if you want something light with a couple of extra buttons. But with just two additional ones over the standard two-plus-clickwheel it wasn’t quite up to my requirements.
James Trew / Engadget
Razer’s Viper Ultimate, literally on the other hand, is a surprisingly competent all-purpose mouse. For one, as alluded to, it’s truly ambidextrous. At 74g it glides across the desk making it a pleasure to use for extended periods. With a 70 hour battery life it was joint first with the G Pro X for longevity in this category (the G502 offers around 50 hours).
The main nitpick for me with the Viper is that the two buttons near your ring finger and pinkie take a little getting used to if you palm a mouse like I do. I had to train myself to click with the side of my finger rather than the tip. The net result is that I was surprised to find myself gravitating toward the Viper Ultimate most out of this category, despite the G502 being closer to what I had in mind when setting out on this test.
Thanks to gamery specs that I’m not going to make use of, such as 20,000+ DPI sensors and 1000Hz polling rates, all of the gaming mice do cost more than the “productivity” options. In fact all three cost the same: $150.
Winner: Razer Viper Ultimate
Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed
Best wireless mouse for gaming
Mobile mice
Let’s be clear, there’s almost no chance any of the mobile mice on offer would make a great full-time desktop replacement. That said, it’s also one of the more interesting categories thanks to being free from the burden of having to do everything. A mobile mouse can get a little wackier and do one or two things really well.
There’s also the fact that many of us are working at home on the company laptop, so pairing that with a mouse can make the transition back to the office a little smoother (and not everyone is a fan of trackpads anyway). As such, a straight head-to-head feels less appropriate, but here’s a rundown of five contenders.
Logitech Pebble
Logitech’s Pebble is a mobile mouse in the purest form. At 100g it’s not the lightest on this list, but that does give it a reassuring feel in use. There are only three buttons: The standard left click, right click and click wheel. You also have the choice between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz dongle connectivity. A nice touch is that you can stow the USB dongle under the top plate as that’s also where you’ll change the (AA) battery.
The Pebble has a slight angle to it which felt like my hand was arching forward when in use. The ambidextrous design is welcome but I do have my concerns about how comfortable it is for extended use. The two aces up the Pebble’s sleeve, however, are its epic battery life: A claimed 18 months (though this will obviously depend on what batteries you use) and the $25 price tag, making it the cheapest on this list.
Logitech MX Anywhere 3
As the name suggests, the MX Anywhere 3 is the mobile version of the MX Master 3S Bluetooth mouse. Unlike its bigger brother, the Anywhere has a semi-ambidextrous design. It’s perhaps a shade too small to cut it as desktop replacement, but in the mobile realm it feels premium, complete with the auto-switching between ratchet and free-flowing scroll wheel — which at $80, it should.
With six buttons, it’s pretty configurable for something so small and at 99g it won’t overstay its welcome under your palm. Though for the life of me I cannot understand why there is no option to stow the USB dongle inside the mouse somewhere. Given its mobile nature this seems like a no-brainer. You can, of course, just use Bluetooth if, like me, USB dongles seem to vanish into thin air unless they have a home.
Razer Orochi V2
The winner of the most forgettable-looking option in this nest of mice goes to the Orochi V2. Or maybe it’s just understated? Especially for a Razer product. Looks aside, the Orochi V2 is a very capable mobile mouse with six buttons, Bluetooth or dongle connectivity and it works with Razer’s Synapse software, so any macros you might already have can be assigned here (or make your own!).
At 425 (2.4Ghz) or 950 hours (BLE) you get a decent amount of time out of each battery and you can use either a single AA or AAA. It weighs just 60g, so it’s also pretty nimble. At $70, it’s edging into full-desktop mouse territory, but given that it’s big enough to actually use this full time, that seems less surprising. Especially given that you can stow the dongle under the top cover, which is more than can be said for the MX Anywhere 3 (or even the MX Master 3S).
Microsoft Surface Arc
Who was betting on Microsoft having the most stylish mouse on this list? The Surface Arc is a delight with a “transforming” design that pops into shape (an “arc” no less). Once you’re done simply snap it flat again for easy storage in a pocket of your laptop bag. You don’t even need to turn it on as “snapping” it also acts as a power switch. Oh, and did I mention that the touchpad area does double duty as left/right click and vertical or sideways scroll (Magic Mouse style)? There’s even the option for a “triple” click to give the Surface Arc an extra, assignable button. All that, and it’s only around $55.
As satisfying as it is to click into shape, the hollow area under the arc does mean that your thumb and little finger don’t have anywhere to naturally rest. I also found the curve of the arc led me more into a claw position over my usual palm, which might be okay for you but gave me pause about using this for longer periods. As a purely mobile mouse, though, it’s one of the more pleasing, especially if you like its semi-trackpad nature.
Microsoft Modern Mobile mouse
The Modern Mobile mouse is Microsoft’s answer to the Pebble. Streamlined, lightweight and with a focus on the basics. There’s no 2.4GHz option here though; it’s Bluetooth only. At $35, compared to the Pebble’s $25 it might seem a foregone conclusion but there’s a lot to like about Microsoft’s take on a portable mouse.
For one, its build quality feels far superior. It also looks more stylish (if that matters). More importantly, it has a more neutral position that feels really comfortable for a smaller mouse and doesn’t feel like it’s craning my hand forward. Throw in the fact that you can still assign app-specific controls via Microsoft’s Mouse and Keyboard center and you end up with something that’s smarter than it first seems.
Conclusion
James Trew / Engadget
If nothing else, I was surprised by the diversity of options despite my initial concern to the contrary. Who knew that Microsoft had such style, at least in the mobile category? Likewise, Razer, it turns out, makes surprisingly adept productivity mice despite its true-green gamer aesthetic. Logitech, on the other hand, is a steady hand across all categories.
Predictably, the MX Master 3S does seem to do most of the things I want. BUT, only really thanks to that thumbwheel. It is particularly suited for what I need. That said, I find myself quite taken by the Pro Click, and despite lacking a second scroll wheel, it pretty much matches the MX Master 3S in every other manner. It’s also lighter which is a small positive in its favor.
For those that prefer lightweight options (something that became more appealing to me the more I tested), then the Viper Ultimate from Razer impressed me with its balance of function and form. If you don’t need as many buttons then Logitech’s Pro X Superlight lives up to its name. I could happily live with either of these mice full time.
Alongside the developments in digitisation and smart technologies, having reliable hardware tools such as an office printer is still an essential component to any small business office or home workspace. With recent figures from the ONS claiming 1 in 4 workers now have some kind of hybrid working model, providing the flexibility to print whatever and whenever is crucial for workers everywhere.
With many of us regularly splitting work between the office and at home, having a printing solution that is reliable and efficient has never been as important – and fortunately, HP is able to offer a range of printing solutions to suit all budgets and workforces, from independent workers and freelancers up to smaller businesses looking to grow and prosper.
If you’re looking to expand your business, you want employees who are equipped and enabled to be productive – and constantly shuttling between a desk and a printer is a sure way to ensure that fewer things get done. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9100 printer series offers a powerful and efficient printing solution for all your reports, budget docs, proposals and more. Customers can have up to 14 printers networked together in an office without the need for extra hardware or IT support, meaning your business is equipped to work seamlessly, and can focus on getting work done with less tech disruption.
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For those looking for something more flexible,the HP OfficeJet Pro 9100b printer series focuses on the needs of managers and IT decision makers alike, particularly those who need to travel between multiple locations such as different office branches. This device provides a powerful and affordable way to get printing fast, offering reliable and adaptable printing for those who arrive in an office and need to have the most up to date documents ready and waiting.
And for workers focused more on creative tasks or design work, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9700 printer series offers an ideal solution for the likes of graphic designers or architects. Documents such as spreadsheets, floorplans and technical drawings can all be handled quickly and easily, with high-quality colour prints saving time and boosting productivity, which can be crucial when a key deadline for a big project arrives.
Finally, for those of us working from home predominantly, or only coming into the office on infrequent occasions, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 series offers the ideal solution. Designed to be able to slot into the smaller nooks and crannies within home offices, the Pro 8100 series allows hybrid workers to effortlessly produce and print notes, presentations, handouts and more before heading into the office.
All of HP’s printers are supplied with the company’s EvoMore cartridges, which mark a significant step forward in helping to make the printing industry as a whole more environmentally-friendly. With sustainability more important than ever before, you can be sure your business is doing its green duty with EvoMore, HP’s first new ink product line in over a decade.
So wherever you work, and whatever stage your business may be at, you can rest assured that there is an HP printer ideally set up to service your needs – to find out more, visit the company’s website here for all the latest deals and updates.
For many decades, businesses in the US and across the world have been relying on specially-engineered business laptops that have boosted productivity immeasurably.
One such model that’s been a staple for 30 years is the Dell Latitude family of enterprise laptops – starting with the Dell Latitude XP in 1994. Since then, Dell has continued manufactured a series of machines widely considered among the best business laptops, but it’s worth casting our eye back to the Latitude – the machine that started it all.
Nowadays, Dell has engineered a plethora of functional and productivity-enabling devices including the Latitude 7490, Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme, and Latitude 9440. These machines usually incorporate the latest and most powerful components; the lattermost, for example, can be fitted with 13th-Gen Intel Core processors and up to 64GB RAM and up to 2TB storage.
Dell’s blast from the past
But the first machine, the Latitude XP, featured just a 9.5-inch color display, 8MB RAM, a 340MB hard drive, and an IntelDX4 75MHz processor. It was also fitted with a lithium-ion battery, among the first such machines to be fitted with one, and weighed a rather heavy 5.9 pounds (2.68 kg).
By contrast, today’s best ultraportables can sometimes come in at under 2.2 pounds (1kg). This device was available for “only” $3,399, equivalent to just under $7,100 (£5,500) today.
Some “cool facts” according to an ad from the time was that it was the most tested product in Dell’s history, at the time and the publication PC Computing heralded it as “the fastest, longest-lasting 486 notebook” that it have tested. It had “enough [bettery life] to get you from New York to London (and back if you catch the concorde) without a hiccup”.
The LA Times‘ Richard O’Reilly was also impressed with the fact that the Dell Latitude did not reduce the device’s screen brightness when it was using its battery, unlike many other similar machines at the time, including the ‘ThinkPad colour computer’.
The 1994 model saw an improvement a year later with the XPi, which featured an Intel Pentium processor, 40MB RAM and a NeoMagic NM2070 graphics card with 1MB memory. The screen size also got a boost to 10.5-inches. Since then, of course, the technology has vastly improved and businesses are able to take advantage of stunning displays and new AI features in the likes of the Latitude 7350 Detachable and Latitude 9450.
In this guide, we look at 10 Google Gemini prompts to help you improve your productivity. In today’s fast-paced digital world, the struggle to stay organized and efficient is very real. This is where Google Gemini, a state-of-the-art large language model powered by artificial intelligence, emerges as an indispensable ally. It offers an array of tools, insights, and automation capabilities designed to enhance your productivity levels. By leveraging tailored prompts to interact with Google Gemini, you have the potential to revolutionize your working methods.
We will delve into ten meticulously crafted Google Gemini prompts that are specifically designed to optimize your workflow. These prompts are aimed at assisting you in navigating the complexities of your daily tasks more smoothly, thereby enabling you to fulfill your productivity objectives with greater ease.
1. Prioritizing Your Day
Prompt: “Analyze my Google Calendar for today. Create a prioritized task list, considering deadlines, estimated time for completion, and any notes attached to events.”
Why it works: Gemini will review your schedule and highlight the most urgent and time-sensitive tasks. This allows you to start your day with a clear focus on the most important items and avoid being overwhelmed by a cluttered schedule.
2. Smart Email Management
Prompt: “Summarize the key points from my unread emails and categorize them into urgent, follow-up, and low-priority.”
Why it works: Tackling a full inbox can be daunting. Gemini can scan your emails, identify the core information, and give you a quick overview. This lets you address urgent matters without sifting through less critical messages.
3. Meeting Agendas and Notes
Prompt: “For my meeting titled [Meeting Name], create a detailed agenda including discussion points from the previous meeting’s notes and any relevant open tasks.”
Why it works: Gemini integrates with your calendar and docs, automating agenda creation and ensuring continuity between meetings. It keeps you focused on progress and prevents rehashing old topics unnecessarily.
4. Research Assistant
Prompt: “Research [topic]. Provide a summary of the key concepts, identify reliable sources, and compile a list of opposing viewpoints.”
Why it works: Google Gemini excels at gathering and distilling information. It saves you time wading through extensive search results. Instead, you gain a balanced understanding of a topic to make informed decisions.
5. Optimized Workflow
Prompt: “Analyze my work patterns over the past week. Identify any recurring time-consuming tasks and suggest ways to automate or optimize them.”
Why it works: Gemini acts like a productivity consultant, tracking your work habits. It will pinpoint areas where you might be losing time, proposing solutions for a smoother workflow.
6. Project Management
Prompt: “For the project titled [Project Name], create a detailed task breakdown with estimated timelines. Flag potential roadblocks and suggest resources to mitigate risks.”
Why it works: Gemini helps structure complex projects into manageable steps. Its ability to anticipate bottlenecks aids in proactive problem-solving and keeps everything on track.
7. Personalized Learning Plan
Prompt: “I want to improve my [skill]. Create a learning plan that includes online courses, recommended reading materials, and practice exercises tailored to my current knowledge level.”
Why it works: Google Gemini acts as a personal tutor, curating resources based on your needs. This organized approach boosts skill development, allowing efficient use of your time.
8. Content Ideation
Prompt: “Generate 10 blog post titles on the topic of [topic]. Make sure they are engaging, keyword-rich, and suitable for my target audience.”
Why it works: Gemini sparks creativity to overcome writer’s block. It understands SEO principles, ensuring your titles aren’t just attention-grabbing but optimized for search discoverability.
9. Editing and Proofreading
Prompt: “Proofread this document for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Suggest ways to improve sentence structure and word choice for a more professional tone.”
Why it works: Gemini is a meticulous editor, catching errors a human eye might miss. It enhances the quality of your written communication and provides suggestions for stronger, more effective wording.
10. Travel Planner
Prompt: “I’m planning a trip to [location] from [start date] to [end date]. Create an itinerary including popular attractions, dining recommendations, and transportation options.”
Why it works: Google Gemini transforms into a travel agent, researching destinations and compiling a plan. It even considers logistics, saving you hours poring over travel websites.
Summary
Google Gemini, a powerful AI language model, can revolutionize your productivity. By using specific prompts, you can transform how you work. Examples include having Gemini prioritize your daily tasks, manage your email, create meeting agendas, conduct research, and optimize your workflow. It can also support project management, personalized learning, content creation, proofreading, and even planning your trips. With the right prompts, Google Gemini becomes a productivity powerhouse, streamlining tasks and freeing up your time.
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If you need a little help with your organization skills, daily planning and business tasks imagine having and AI assistant that could transform the way you take notes and manage information. Microsoft CoPilot in OneNote is a powerful tool designed to supercharge your note-taking and content creation within Microsoft 365.
Available exclusively for users with a CoPilot for Microsoft 365 license or CoPilot Pro license, this feature transforms OneNote into an invaluable assistant for both personal and professional use, but it’s important to note that it’s currently only accessible in OneNote for Microsoft 365 on Windows platforms. Leveraging the capabilities of large language models (LLMs), CoPilot in OneNote offers an intuitive, interactive way to understand, create, and manage your notes with ease.
Accessing CoPilot in OneNote is straightforward. Users can open the CoPilot pane directly from the OneNote ribbon or through a quick keyboard shortcut, Alt+H+FX. Upon first launch, the “Get started” button introduces users to a range of practical ideas on how to utilize CoPilot effectively. This initial interaction is designed to inspire and educate users on the breadth of CoPilot’s capabilities, encouraging exploration and experimentation.
Using Copilot AI in OneNote
One of the core strengths of CoPilot in OneNote is its ability to understand and process your existing notes. Whether you’re looking to generate summaries of detailed meeting notes, create comprehensive to-do lists from your brainstorming sessions, or gain insights into the pros and cons of a project plan, CoPilot can handle these tasks effortlessly. The feature is adept at analyzing and rewriting notes for clarity, ensuring that your ideas are communicated effectively. To use these features, simply select CoPilot in the ribbon, enter your request in the compose box, and watch as CoPilot generates intelligent, context-aware content that can then be copied and pasted as needed.
Creating new content with CoPilot is equally intuitive. Whether drafting plans for upcoming events, brainstorming ideas for projects, or seeking inspiration for new content, CoPilot’s “Give me ideas” and “Draft a plan” functionalities are invaluable. Users can input prompts directly into the compose box or select from a menu of tested prompts for a more guided experience. This flexibility allows for a tailored approach to content creation, ensuring that CoPilot’s responses are as relevant and useful as possible. You might also be interested in our previous article which explains how to use templates in Microsoft OneNote.
Chatting with CoPilot opens up a new dimension of interaction within OneNote. Unlike traditional note-taking apps, CoPilot enables a dynamic conversation with your digital assistant, allowing you to ask questions, seek advice, or command specific actions related to your notes. This feature is particularly useful for finding information within your notes, getting tips on improving your content, or learning new facts to enrich your note-taking. It’s important to note, however, that chatting with CoPilot in OneNote currently only pulls information from your OneNote notes and does not integrate with other Microsoft 365 apps or data at this time.
To make the most out of CoPilot in OneNote, consider exploring a variety of prompts tailored to both your personal and professional life. From summarizing complex meeting notes to brainstorming creative ideas for personal projects, CoPilot is designed to accommodate a wide range of note-taking and content creation needs. The ability to organize notes, draft plans, and chat with CoPilot about your notes or research questions makes OneNote an even more powerful tool for managing information and boosting productivity.
Example Copilot OneNote prompts
Summarize Notes: “Summarize the key points from yesterday’s project meeting with a focus on action items and deadlines.”
Draft a To-Do List: “From the notes on the recent brainstorming session, draft a to-do list highlighting the next steps for the project launch.”
List Pros and Cons: “List the pros and cons of the proposed marketing strategies discussed in the last meeting.”
Rewrite for Clarity: “Rewrite these technical explanations into simpler terms for a non-technical audience.”
Event Plans: “Draft an outline for the annual company retreat, including key activities, dates, and logistics.”
Presentation Ideas: “Generate a list of engaging topics for the upcoming monthly team presentation.”
Ideation: “Give me ideas for blog topics related to renewable energy trends for the next quarter.”
Information Retrieval: “Which tasks from the project plan shared last week are still pending?”
Improvement Suggestions: “How can I make the summary of the client feedback session more impactful?”
Learning New Facts: “Provide insights on the latest digital marketing strategies that can be applied to our current project.”
Pros and Cons for Strategy: “Create a table comparing the pros and cons of remote work versus in-office work based on our team’s feedback.”
Event Planning Steps: “Break down the steps needed to organize the customer appreciation event next month.”
Prioritizing Goals: “Organize the project goals for the next six months in order of priority based on potential ROI.”
These prompts illustrate just a fraction of what CoPilot in OneNote is capable of and the best way to learn is by experimentation. Tailoring your prompts as you go to meet your specific needs.
Copilot is designed to understand both typed and spoken commands, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It’s particularly good at summarizing texts, helping with brainstorming for videos, and putting together detailed plans. It can also create tables to aid in decision-making and summarize large amounts of content, such as pulling together travel itineraries from various pages. hero just a few things you can accomplish using Copilot in OneNote :
Ensure Compatibility and Access
Confirm that you’re using OneNote for Microsoft 365 on a Windows machine, as CoPilot is currently not available on the web or Mac versions.
Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 (M365) subscription.
Be aware that Microsoft CoPilot is a paid addition to your M365 subscription. Consider the personal CoPilot Pro license, but evaluate what option best suits your needs.
Launching CoPilot in OneNote
Open OneNote for Microsoft 365 and navigate to your desired notebook.
Look for the CoPilot button on the right side of the Home tab and click it to open CoPilot.
Interacting with CoPilot
You can drag and move the CoPilot window across your page for better accessibility.
Utilize the prompt area at the bottom to input your requests or questions.
Explore the “View Prompts” notebook for guidance on starting prompts focused on creating, understanding, editing, and asking.
Utilizing CoPilot Features
Delve into CoPilot Labs for innovative features and save your favorite prompts for easy access.
Check different categories like catching up, creating, editing, etc., for tailored assistance.
Visit the general Microsoft CoPilot website for broader insights and select the OneNote section for specific tips and tutorials.
Creating Content with CoPilot
Use CoPilot to generate new pages, including tasks like creating a to-do list with video ideas for YouTube, complete with short descriptions.
Employ the microphone option for voice commands if you prefer speaking over typing.
Improving Workflow
Ask CoPilot to summarize information, create project plans, draft to-do lists, and even engage in rewriting and chatting.
For comprehensive tasks, like drafting a plan for YouTube channel growth, include marketing ideas, video suggestions, and a quarterly strategy outline in your prompt.
Summarization and Script Writing
Request CoPilot to summarize key points from specific pages or sections.
For content creation, like YouTube scripts, instruct CoPilot to generate scripts that are informative yet accessible, including synonyms and common phrases for clarity.
Advanced Prompting
When seeking detailed analyses, such as pros and cons of using search engines versus reasoning engines, prompt CoPilot to organize the information into tables for visual comprehension.
Leverage CoPilot to draft comprehensive plans, incorporating elements like marketing strategies and video ideas into actionable lists and tables.
Review and Feedback
Give feedback on CoPilot’s outputs with thumbs up or down, enhancing its learning and customization for your needs.
Engage in chat with CoPilot for a more interactive way of exploring features or clarifying questions.
Finalizing and Integrating Content
After generating content with CoPilot, incorporate it into your OneNote pages, adjusting formatting as necessary.
Utilize OneNote features, like adding tick boxes or bullet points, to finalize the layout of the generated content.
Microsoft Copilot in OneNote is a sophisticated tool that can significantly improve how you handle and create content. By tapping into its AI capabilities, you can take your productivity to new heights. For more information and helpful tips, you can visit the Microsoft Copilot website and check out their support resources. With Copilot, you’re equipped to navigate the future of productivity.
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