If you’ve got a long commute and a busy schedule, there are ways you can make the most of the journey…
Get a MiFi
If you must have Internet access on your daily commute, then consider getting a MiFi. It’s basically a super compact wireless router that fits in the palm of your hand, making it ideal for busy trains or buses. It can provide Internet access for around five other devices so it’s great if you’re travelling with other people as well – although you can lock it with a password so everyone around you isn’t slowing your connection down.
It’s also a god-send if your favourite pub or café doesn’t have wireless access and you want to camp out there and avoid the office.
In the UK you can get a MiFi on the mobile network three, for around £71.99 if you want to pay as you go or around £15.99 a month if you’d prefer a contract.
There’s good news for those of you who live in London, as many of the underground stations are set to be fitted with Wi-Fi access in preparation for the Olympics in 2012. Although you won’t be able to access the Internet on the trains, you will be able to on the platforms, so if you’re a Londoner and depend on the tube, maybe hold out to see if that works for you or not…
Catch up on news
The daily commute is a perfect time to read through the latest news from publications, blogs and podcasts. So, download an app like My Taptu, Flipboard or a simple feed aggregator and sync the content before you leave the house so you don’t have to depend on connectivity.
Playlists
It’s amazing how much an up-beat and motivational playlist can get you ready for the day, or how a calming one can make you feel so much more relaxed!
My personal favourite music app is Spotify. Although you need to pay for the premium version in order to listen to your playlists from your phone, it’s the only service I pay for regularly because as melodramatic as it sounds, I really couldn’t live without it.
But, if you’d rather not pay a premium then try new music application Soundcloud, which gives you access to more unusual tracks, lets you sync everything up with your online account and most importantly, it’s free!
Write emails and to-do lists
There are still a lot of things you can get done if you don’t have an Internet connection or, dare I say it, a technological device at your side. Even in a notepad you can write emails that you know you need to send during the day, or to-do lists for the week ahead. If you can get into the habit of doing all of these tasks on the way to work you’ll find you’re much more productive and organised throughout the day.
If you’re a serial list maker like me then invest in something lovely instead of just a standard spiral pad, like a jotter from Cath Kidston, a brightly coloured Moleskine or this lovely pink Filofax that helps raise funds for Breast Cancer Campaign.
This one is available from the Filofax website and is currently only £22, half the price this size usually is.
Read a book
Following the popularity of the Kindle reading device, many other brands have brought out their own answer to the e-book reader, such as the Sony pocket edition in silver available for around £120.
Tablet devices such as the sleek and shiny new iPad 2 which starts at £399 or the Dell Streak, available for around £398, are also ideal for reading e-books or online publications.
Becca Caddy is a BitchBuzz Tech columnist and freelance writer. She is also the UK editor of US-based tech blog Popgadget.net. You can follow her @beccacaddy or read her blog beccacaddy.com.
Images via Three, Apple Store and Filofax.