Microsoft Garage Introduces Productivity Apps for SMB Android Users

If you are looking to help your Android users with productivity on the job then Microsoft Garage has three apps you should take a look at.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

April 20, 2016

2 Min Read
Microsoft Garage Introduces Productivity Apps for SMB Android Users

Microsoft has a division called The Garage and they are constantly generating apps and other services that introduce new technology and methods for doing our everyday work.

The vast majority of the time, and much to the chagrin of Windows mobile users, they are usually built first for iOS and Android platforms.

This unique incubator was set up to help Microsoft employees launch experimental, consumer-focused apps faster and gain customer feedback on them. These apps, developed and released under the Garage brand, reiterate Microsoft’s continued commitment to innovation.

In the case of the three new productivity apps announced today by Microsoft India they are all for Android.

Each one brings a uniquely focused feature to the table for these devices - chat, content creation, and networking.

Here is a run down on the new apps that are available for download immediately.

Sprightly

Sprightly is an app for digital-content creation on phones that caters to an audience mainly focused on small-and mid-sized businesses. The app makes it easy to create professional-looking content on a mobile device to help businesses showcase and promote their products in a better manner.

  • Multiple collage types – Catalogues, Pricelists, E-cards, Flyers

  • Ability to share on multiple platforms including WhatsApp and Facebook

  • Collections for easy reuse of content

  • Option to export as a PDF and share on email

Connections

Connections helps users organize information about one’s friends, family members, and work acquaintances in an organized and chronological manner. Connections helps individuals and small businesses be prepared for every conversation by way of capturing, surfacing and sharing of context in the form of contact categories, notes and reminders.

  • Quickly capture notes & reminders for contacts during/after phone calls

  • Set reminders for each contact as a reminder to follow-up

  • Categorize contacts with tags to auto-organize and to broadcast SMS to groups of contacts

  • Add pictures from the phone gallery to have visual notes and reminders

  • Use SMS templates to quickly send important business & personal details to the contacts

Kaizala

Kaizala is a productive chat application that supports clutter – free team conversations and helps work get done. It enables task assignment, tracking and confirming availability in a team. The app has been specially designed to help users, who are always on the move, keep track of items and other team members.

Sprightly, Connections and Kaizala are currently available on Android platform. These apps will also be available on the iOS platform shortly.

  • Create groups for each project or have a standard personal chat as well

  • Share or request location updates, share photos with location information

  • Create & assign jobs as well as track status of jobs

  • Capture and share bill photos along with other information to manage on the move billing

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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