The art of working on your phone

There is no exaggeration in saying that since the world got introduced to smartphones, everything has changed. To suit diverse needs, we have resorted to owning a phone for ourselves. That leap of change came with a lot of options or possibilities. Thus, we rarely meet anyone without a smartphone nowadays. This is the norm now. The impact this transformation has on our lives can be determined by its sheer presence in our work and everyday life. Today, we dive deep to understand the dynamics of the art of working on our smartphones to contemplate the feasibility and ease these magical devices bring us.

Ease of using smartphones

Our phones now offer more than just making a call or sending messages. Smartphones have the potential of becoming your primary device for work and not just a temporary replacement when your primary work device is at the repair shop. The advantages of using phones for work shines through in terms of its budget-friendliness and flexibility, among everything else. If you are on a strict budget plan or are always on the move, the smartphone is, without a doubt, an excellent alternative to providing all the essential functionalities.

Smartphones come in all sorts of price tags and features. We have access to a vast range of smartphones - from mid-range to flagship ones - that work adequately well for work-related tasks. We have all these options targeting different needs of ours, and hence finding and choosing the right one designed especially for your work is the way to go. If your job is all about meeting deadlines, choose speed; but if it requires you to take good photos, go with the one that offers the best camera service in the market. You can jot down all the 'must-haves' to figure out which one you should go for and spend your money on.

Moreover, smartphones are easy to carry around. Smartphones, for their mobility, allow you to work almost anywhere. This flexibility is due to the small size and lightweight design -- something that is missing in bulky laptops. You can also consider getting two different models to mishmash your needs as there are numerous models you have to choose from. At least, in this case, two really is better than one. However, having two smartphones has its drawbacks too, as some people find it hard to keep them simultaneously synced and organised.

Limitations and how to adjust

On the other hand, similar to any other electronic device, smartphones come with certain limitations of their own. The small screen, inadequate support for the neck or spine's posture, and taking time to get used to the practice of using one for work stand out despite all its perks.

Illustration: Zarif Faiaz

The small screen can be detrimental to your eyesight if used for a long time. You can deal with this constraining factor by dividing your working hours. The blue light filter can be a good solution as well. You can find this option pre-installed in your phone, and if not, a trip to the digital store of your phone is always on the table. There, you can find apps for blue light filtration for your device.

Modern technological advancements are unfortunately often after our health. The problem we get for using desktops or laptops finds its way in using smartphones as well, where working at a stretch can harm our physical well-being. However, mobile phone stands, portable Bluetooth keyboards or doing various exercises in between work can help you retain a good body posture throughout and help your health in the long run.

Furthermore, one might find it hard to navigate their way through the new work set-up of smartphones, especially if they are used to working on some other device for work. We have a remedy for this too, as making your phone personalised can make the adaptability process smoother for you, which can ensure improved productivity without much hassle.

Personalising your phone

You can make your phone uniquely yours and get the most out of it by utilising certain tweaks and tricks. In order to get the most out of your smartphone, you need to know your phone well, and you can do so by learning about all the built-in features it offers, so you will not have to rely on installing external apps. You can effectively use your personalised smartphone by keeping its antivirus, app-locking and automated backup systems in check.

Meanwhile, taking your charger or power bank with you at all times can help you keep your phone juiced up, whereas well-maintenance of your files by properly labelling them will ensure you know which file is kept where. As such, you can go about your day without the worries of constant phone management.

You can operate your phone hands-free by turning on the voice-search or voice-command option it offers. It saves time, as every second of manual typing eventually adds up. You can also keep your working space separated from your personal one by using multiple accounts for each app.

Manage your apps

Apps are the most important tools you have on your phone without any other contender fighting for that position. The good news is, almost all the work-related apps -- be it communication apps, note-taking apps, scheduling apps, collaborative apps and more -- are available for free or for reasonable prices on your phone. You just have to make sure they are updated to the latest version from time to time so that you enjoy the best these apps have to offer.

Although the features or the layout of the apps vary from one version to another, the phone versions are packed with key features. Downloading the same apps your team uses can help with the workload. You can deal with the disruption that comes with using the phone for work by placing necessary widgets on the screen where you can easily see them. This tactic can help you immerse yourself fully in your work and get it done in time without succumbing to distractions.

One device offering the benefits of many devices is what we expect from our work phones. Smartphones can be your primary or secondary work device based on your preferences. What works for one might not work for another. Yet, since we have access to such options, thanks to technology, you can check out all the different options at your disposal to comprehend which method suits you the best.