In this 21st century, everyone is looking for ways to do things easier, faster and more creatively. So, we have thought it wise to furnish you with some of the most amazing online tools that will help you personally, and career/business-wise. These tools are all free, and just about anyone can use them without breaking a sweat.
At the tail end of this article, you will get to see some tech hacks that you can immediately try out on your computer or phone (because you will definitely be in disbelief!). Let’s dive in!
Mockuper
As an individual, business or organization, you will need mockups to advertise your brand. To do this, graphics designers can charge you as much as hundreds of dollars, depending on the sophistication you need. But what if we told you that there’s a way to create mockups without engaging the services of a graphics designer?
Let’s introduce this amazing online mockup generator called Mockuper. It is a free online tool that allows just about anyone who can use the internet to create mockups for smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and PCs.
The big question on your mind will be: so, how does Mockuper work? Simply go to mockuper.com and select a preset or upload a custom template. Then adjust some of the settings to your taste, and take a screenshot. That’s all! In less than five minutes, you have generated a mockup for your product or service. Unlike most online graphics design tools, Mockuper does not mare your work with watermarks.
Zamzar Online File Conversion
Have you been looking for a place where you can convert to and from any file format? Well, look no further. Zamzar Online File Converter has over 1200 file formats – even the ones you never knew existed. As if that’s not enough, they are adding new formats regularly to meet the file conversion needs of users around the world. So, adventure a file format you are looking for is not available, you just need to contact them, and it will be added ASAP!
With Zamzar, you don’t need to download a software. Simply go online, select the file format you want to convert to, and within 5 minutes, you are good to go.
The categories of file formats available on Zamzar include:
- Document file formats
- Compressed file formats
- CAD file formats
- Image file formats
- Audio file formats
- e-Book file formats
- Video file formats
Awwboard
If you are an artist and are looking for a platform where you can both draw and share your works with a community of like minds, Awwboard is the perfect choice for you. Just like every other tool listed in this article, Awwboard is also free. It is an online whiteboard that’s easy-to-use, yet highly sophisticated to meet the drawing needs of beginners to professional artists. The interactive community is a place to hone your drawing skills until you are able to monetize it.
The online app allows for multiple users to draw simultaneously and changes will reflect in real-time. Since the Awwboard can be synchronized across all devices, it can be used in classrooms and conferences, if you need to represent your ideas and points graphically. Another great thing about this tool is that it automatically saves your work, so you don’t have to worry about losing your progress if you lose internet connection or your device abruptly goes off.
To use the Awwboard, simply go to awwapp.com, and click the “Start Drawing” icon. On the right-hand side of your screen, you can access a toolbar that allows you to select whatever you need for your drawings. But then, we must add that you need to use a stylus pen instead of your fingers if you want to get the best results.
Brainsparker
One challenge all creatives have in common is block. While there are many ways to overcome a creative block, we are sure you never knew an app is one of them. The app is designed to help creatives get their creative juices flowing again, thanks to over 250 creative prompt cards that are suitable for kids and adults. These prompt cards are made up of quotes, trigger words, performance cues, images and questions.
Writers, journalists, photographers, coaches, teachers, artists, graphic designers, and just about anyone looking for inspirational prompts can use it. And the best part is that it’s totally free. The Brainsparker app is an awesome tool for brainstorming, while having fun at the same time, whether individually or in groups. When next you are looking for a creative activity to spice up your webinars, workshops and classes, think of the Brainsparker app!
Instafamous
In this day and age, you already know the power of social media. Not only can social media platforms increase the visibility of a business or organization, but it can also increase the bottom line. Take Instagram, for example, while there are many websites that sell Instagram likes and followers, there is only one which offers all these for free – Instafamous.
This app allows users to exchange likes and followers with people, thereby growing your following organically. These are real Instagram accounts operated by real people and not bots.
Here’s how it works: simply like the photos and videos of other Instafamous users to earn points, which, when accrued, will be enough to get you Instagram likes, followers and analytics. Again, you won’t spend real money and it’s even ads free. Simply take your time in accruing as many points as you can. The app is very secure and straightforward to use.
Midomi
Have you ever listened to a song on the radio and unsuccessfully tried figuring out who sang it? If you have, then gone are those days, thanks to Midomi. It is the fastest and most exciting way to identify a song. You just have to take your phone close to the speaker or radio and allow Midomi to do its magic! It will tell you the title of the song in less than 5 seconds. You can even sing or hum some of the lyrics you can remember and leave the rest to Midomi!
Apart from identifying songs, this online tool (app also available) allows you to share, and buy songs. And if you want to get basic information about any artist, it will also come in handy. This way, you don’t have to start sieving search results from Google before you can identify the song or artist you are looking for.
With these mind-blowing features, it’s not surprising that Midomi has been praised by CNN, The New York Times and BBC World Radio.
Calligraphr
Today, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of fonts available. Would you believe if we told you that you could turn your handwriting or calligraphy into a font? Well, believe it or not, it’s true! With the Calligraphr online tool (app also available), you can create your own font in less than 5 minutes!
The best part of this tool is that it’s totally free and you don’t have to even register. From the testimonials, you will see that the tool is super addictive and easy-to-use. So head on to calligraphr.com to check it out.
Google Translate
If you have a lengthy write up that needs to be proofread, simply paste it into Google Translate and rather than reading it. The tool can spot minor typos that your eyes may not easily detect. But proofreading is not all there is to Google Translate. It helps translate over a hundred languages and can be integrated into Google app, Gboard, and Chrome.
That being said, we think the most important feature of the Google Translate app is its ability to translate conversations. This makes it a go-to option for persons who can’t speak or don’t understand a particular language. The instant visual translation is also enabled in the app, which allows users to hover the app’s integrated camera over a particular word on a book and the meaning will be displayed on your phone’s screen.
The last but certainly not the least exciting feature of this app is the offline translation mode. This mode allows you to download several language packs in advance to use them when you don’t have an internet connection. Awesome right?!
Tech Hacks You Never Knew Were Possible
Check out some of the most fantastic tech hacks that will make your tech life easier and more fun:
• If you have an online account that you are no longer interested in using, websites like AccountKiller.com, JustDelete.me or DeleteYourAccount.com will help you get rid of such accounts without breaking a sweat.
• You can open a new Google Doc just by typing ‘doc.new’ into your Chrome browser.
• If you save your PowerPoint presentations using the file extension “.PPS” instead of the widely known “.PPT”, the PowerPoint file will automatically go into slideshow mode when you open it.
• On the Windows search box on your computer, type “size:gigantic” and all files larger than 128 MB will be displayed. This will help you in cleaning up large files you no longer need to save space.
• When recording a video with your phone at a concert, simply put a finger over the microphone of your phone and it will produce clearer sound when you play the video.
• By typing “Google Gravity I’m Feeling Lucky” on Google search box, the whole page will lose its gravity and you can have fun with it.
• To rewind or fast forward a YouTube video, first pause it and then press J or L to rewind or fast track respectively.
• To put a YouTube video on repeat, so you don’t have to repeatedly press replay at the end of the video, simply add “repeat” before “.com” in the URL. Like this: www.youtube.repeat.com
• If you are suspicious about a website, simply do a Google search of “safebrowsing:(website)”. It will show you the malware attempts of the website on its visitors for the last 90 days (3 months).
• If you are looking for where to get relevant questions on a particular subject for an exam, simply Google “site:edu [subject] exam”.
Have you used any of these tools before? Are there some other tools we are missing that has made your life a lot easier? Share with us in the comment section!
