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From the first unpacking and turning on the phone with the iOS operating system, especially newcomers, their jaws literally drop. Sophisticated native applications, top security and intuitive control will absorb you and you will not take your eyes off the screen of your new touch friend. But the first impressions of enthusiasm and fun gradually disappear and you start to wonder how to improve your smartphone and how it could make your work easier. There are more apps in the App Store than you'd like, but choosing the right one for your needs can be really difficult. In the paragraphs below, you will be introduced to those applications that in certain cases can be useful to everyone and, at least in the basic version, you will not even have to reach into your wallet for their functionality.

Microsoft Authenticator

By far the most used office package for creating documents, tables and presentations is Microsoft Office. To fully work with this package, you must subscribe to the Microsoft 365 service that is associated with your Microsoft account. But you certainly wouldn't want any stranger to get access to the files you created, and let's face it, constantly entering a password isn't exactly convenient. The free Microsoft Authenticator application serves exactly the purpose of fast but secure login, which sends a notification to your smartphone after entering your username. You click it and approve the login with your fingerprint, face or Apple Watch. But that is far from all that Authenticator can do. With it, it is possible to activate two-factor authentication for third-party services such as Facebook or Netflix, when after entering your login details you will be prompted to open the Authenticator and enter a one-time code that will be displayed in the application. Even if someone were to figure out your password, they would have almost no chance of logging into your account.

You can install Microsoft Authenticator for free here

Documents

iOS has been criticized for years for not having a proper file manager available. Time has moved on and developers from Cupertino have realized that in order to retain their users and attract new ones, they need to solve this problem, and that's what happened with the arrival of the Files app. However, not everyone needs to be satisfied with Files, but in such a situation, the excellent Documents application comes into play. It is not only used for file management, but also as a web browser through which you can easily download almost any files and import them anywhere. If you liked the application and would like something more from it, the developer offers a subscription. This unlocks the ability to compress folders into ZIP format, connect the program to cloud storages like Google Drive and Dropbox, and services like Netflix or HBO, and browse the internet securely using a VPN.

You can install the Documents application here

Google Keep

If you're looking for a simple notepad that allows you to collaborate with other colleagues, you might be happy with Google Keep. It doesn't allow much in terms of note-taking, but you can write text here, mark important things and even import photos or audio. If you are forgetful or just need to plan your day for peace of mind, nothing prevents you from creating a reminder in the application. Google Keep can remind you based on the time, and also when you arrive at a certain place - for example, if you have a meeting with a colleague at work, or you need to buy cosmetics for your wife in a store, a notification from your phone will notify you of this only after your arrival at destination. In addition, you can share all notes and comments with other users, which will greatly facilitate communication. The last, but no less important, reason to download the aforementioned application to your phone is the Apple Watch version. You can dictate notes on your wrist that sync with all your devices signed in with your Google account.

You can install Google Keep for free here

Photomath

The situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic in the Czech Republic is not simple, and the current political scene does not indicate that anything should change in the foreseeable future. One of the areas that has been affected really significantly is education - for almost a year, we have not been able to get in touch with our classmates and teachers. It is no secret that for many students it is not easy to understand mathematical examples, luckily there is Photomath app to explain them as well. You can either take a photo or manually enter a math problem into it and the software will show you the result along with a detailed solution procedure. They can deal with both basic arithmetic calculations and linear and quadratic equations, geometry or even factorials and integrals. Another benefit of the Photomath program is its functionality even without an internet connection. In addition to displaying the solution process in the application, you will also see animations that break down the given task quite well. If that's not enough for you, it's worth a try by paying a monthly or annual subscription to unlock an advanced guide compiled by teachers and mathematicians.

Install Photomath here

DuckDuckGo

Apple places the whole world at heart that its priority is privacy, and you can see this, among other things, when using the native Safari browser, which can take care of your anonymity on the Internet. However, if you feel that the protection is insufficient, or for some reason Safari does not quite suit you, there is an alternative on the scene in the form of DuckDuckGo. This application ensures absolute privacy on the Internet - it automatically blocks the tracking of your movements and with one click it is possible to delete the entire browsing history. For greater security, I recommend trying to secure DuckDuckGo with the help of Touch ID and Face ID, then nobody really gets access to the web browsing history. However, DuckDuckGo programmers have also implemented important functions to make the browser comfortable for you to use. You can add websites to favorites, create bookmarks or set light or dark mode.

You can install DuckDuckGo for free here

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