When inspiration runs dry, or you just need some peace and quiet, the best thing to do is go for a walk. Leave the house and breathe some fresh air to help get your creative juices flowing again. And, thanks to modern technology, your work can come along.
Many kinds of portable devices are perfect for creatives on the go. Here’s a breakdown of the types of technology you should look into, as well as what each can offer your projects, whether they involve text, audiovisuals, or anything else.
1. Smartphone
There’s no question that mobile technology is one of the most versatile tools out there. From its huge range of apps to its convenient size, a smartphone could be all the support you could possibly need.
These chances are even greater if you choose your device wisely. For example, make sure your next buy is able to support specific demands like the ones below.
Note-Taking Tools
Today, most smartphones have their own basic note-taking tools, eradicating the need for pen and paper. If you explore your app store, however, you’ll discover many more advanced options like Google Keep and Squid. Intuitive, user-friendly, and free note-taking apps could be a better fit.
You can type quick reminders or a whole block of text, which you can then easily transfer to your computer. Some apps even have speech-to-text features, letting them automatically type what you dictate.
Photo and Video Tools
Some projects, creative or not, have visual components. Whether you need nice photos for an advert, or spot something inspiring and want to study it further at home, you’ll appreciate a smartphone with a camera.
While a phone might not be as good as a proper camera in terms of taking quality footage, you can change that. For example, invest in a device with high resolution, shutter speed, and zoom features. Also, look into mobile apps that edit photos and videos.
Audio Recording Tools
The next best way to create reminders on the go is with a recording app. You can talk to your smartphone while outside, and then play it all back when you’re at your desk. It’s small but smart software that you can use to create individual audio files, organize them, and even transfer them to other devices.
And don’t think that you can only record yourself. A musician or filmmaker, for example, might find interesting sounds worth collecting. A decent mobile app can help you do that and more.
Cloud Storage
One key way to share information between devices is through cloud syncing technology. You can easily transfer whatever you save on your smartphone to your computer, from notes to audio files. If your phone doesn’t already have a cloud storage app like Microsoft OneDrive, you should install one.
You may also want to get extra online storage for when certain projects take up more room than you expected. Then you can access your documents from any device synced to the cloud. However, you should consider safety measures too, like ensuring you invest in a secure cloud storage service.
2. Tablet
On a tablet, you can get into the exact same activities as a smartphone, but the bigger screen and better resolution come in handy when it comes to visual demands. Apart from that, a reliable tablet gives you access to just as many tools for note-taking, photography, audio recording, and editing, if not more.
Dedicated Tablets
Then there are special tablets, designed for specific jobs. If you’re a creative writer or editor, for example, technology like the RoWrite Smart Writing Pad might interest you. It’s basically a digital notepad with a stylus, replacing scraps of paper with a multi-functional and eye-friendly gadget.
Book reviewers, graphic designers, and other professionals will find their own specialized tools. There isn’t a huge range to choose from yet, but developers strive to make each new product the best it can be. These dedicated tablets can be quite powerful and well-suited to working on the go.
3. Audio Recorder
If the whole point of going outside is to turn your phone off, an actual audio recorder is a good alternative. Their sizes and complexities vary, but you can find small, light, and hardy devices that can sit in your pocket and accompany you anywhere.
Wearable Recorders
Audio recorders come in even more convenient shapes and sizes, some of which you can even wear as a bracelet around your wrist. There are also earpieces, necklaces, and pens—in case you’re going for a James Bond style.
Compared to handheld devices and mobile apps, the features of wearable audio recorders are limited but no less powerful. Depending on your outdoor activities, they can be just the tool you need to continue working or brainstorming.
4. Digital Camera
Once again, if you don’t want to use your phone for everything, getting yourself a good camera is the best solution when it comes to taking pictures or videos. Apart from the quality of the footage being much better, it will focus your mind on the task at hand a lot more than a smartphone ever could.
Wi-Fi Cameras
For extra help in organizing your visual-based projects, some digital cameras now come with cloud syncing capabilities too. They can connect to the internet, for example, and automatically upload your pictures to an online folder as soon as you snap them.
From there, you can study and edit your footage from any device with access to the folder. So, if you invest in one of Canon’s Wi-Fi cameras and, say, a decent tablet, you could spend the whole day outside and get all kinds of work done.
Explore Portable Technologies for More Outdoor Creativity
Between smartphones, tablets, recorders, and cameras, there’s not much you can’t do on the go. That said, there are always factors that can get in the way of your productivity. Being away from power sockets or an internet connection, for example, often becomes a problem in the most inconvenient moments.
Before taking your work outside, make sure you have everything you need besides your creative tools. Think about power banks, portable mobile hotspots, and weather forecasting apps. The more you learn about such tech, the better your experiences will be.