Smartphones, more than computers, have changed the way we live and interact, but they remain limited, especially when it comes to productivity. Smaller screens and one open application at a time are boundaries that mobile users have had to deal with for several years. However, thanks to the freedom of Android’s OS, many of these limitations can be overcome. Here are 5 apps that do just that.
Link Bubble
Released just yesterday, Link Bubble is the reason I decided to write this article. I downloaded it a couple of hours ago and I already don’t see myself using any Android phone or tablet without it installed from now on.
The app essentially intercepts any link you click and loads it for you in the background. You are no longer tied to a blank screen while waiting for pages to load or links to redirect, you can continue whatever you were doing and the page will open whenever it has finally loaded. Think of it as “Open in new tab” in your desktop browser, except it works everywhere. And there are gestures for sharing or unloading, and integration for links that redirect to other apps (YouTube, Instagram, and so on). It is so simple yet quite awesome.
Download: Link Bubble free (one link at a time, intercepted from one app) or Pro (unlimited).
Floating Apps
Android phones can multitask, but most of that occurs in the background. You can rarely do several things at the same time on one screen, unless you are running Samsung’s Multi Window or LG’s QSlide apps.
Like its name suggests, Floating Apps brings multiple windows to Android so you can open a calculator, YouTube, stopwatch, dialer, music player and much more (14 apps in the free version, 31 in the Pro) on top of your current application. You can even create floating windows from your favorite widgets or bookmarks. And all these windows can be resized, removed, minimized, like you are accustomed to on your desktop.
Download: Floating Apps Free or Pro.
Clipper – Clipboard Manager
One of the most used applications on my computer is a clipboard manager that stores my last 100 copied items and allows me to paste any of them at any time. If you use an LG G2 or other modern LG device, you might have this function built-in, but if you don’t, Clipper provides it for any Android phone.
Say you want to copy several text snippets from one webpage or app to another, you don’t have to jump back and forth several times between them to do it. Or you might have copied text earlier this morning and you need to paste it again without reopening the original app. Clipper solves this problem. It also lets you organize clippings and store some of them indefinitely. The paid version also adds search, dynamic values, cross-device synchronization and removes the 20 history item limit.
Download: Clipper or Clipper Plus with Sync.
Redirect File Organizer
Folder Actions is a MacOS (and Windows also, through a third-party app) function that automates certain file and folder tasks so you don’t have to worry about them. Redirect brings this option to Android. Use some of its built-in automations, or create your own, to automatically move video or gif files into one folder, organize your documents together, and more. The Pro version adds themes, a widget, and can remove empty folders when done.
Download: Redirect File Organizer free or Pro.
WordLookup
MacOS offers a nifty gesture for looking up any word on your screen in its built-in dictionary. Tap with three fingers on the trackpad and the definition shows up, no copying, no pasting, no browsers needed. I’ve always wanted a similar functionality on my phones, but it was limited to reading apps like Kindle or Play Books. Not anymore. WordLookup inserts itself in the Share intent on Android, so whenever you highlight any word, instead of copying it, you can simply Share it to WordLookup. A pop-up will appear with the definition. That’s simple and efficient.
Download: WordLookup
Have you found other Android applications that bridge the gap between mobile and desktop use, and overcome the limitations of current smartphones? Leave a comment to let us know!
