Telecommuting and mobile apps have become married in a virtual dance of productivity enhancement, but you have to have the right apps to maximize that productivity. In an increasingly mobile-connected world, employees depend on their mobile devices for just about everything from finding a date to cashing a paycheck. Don't underestimate the power of a great app. If you're a telecommuter, do you have these top seven apps for productivity?

1. Work+

Work+ is a free Apple app that designed just for telecommuters who thrive in a varied environment. When you sign in, you'll get instant access to nearby locations which are friendly towards telecommuters whether it's a local coffee shop or a restaurant that welcomes campers. This is a must for the telecommuter who's also a frequent traveler or simply for the worker who gets bored with the same location day after day. Plus, it's a great way to force you to explore neighborhoods while still punching the clock.

2. Dropbox

Dropbox is the ultimate in cloud storage and a place where you can store and share everything from videos to documents. It's compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad and iPhone, Blackberry and Android and comes with a range of options ranging from free to just shy of $200 per year. It's the go-to storage choice for many employers and with good reason. It's secure, easy to use and since so many people are using it, there's a good chance those you're working with will be familiar with it.

3. GetPaid!

Another Apple gem, GetPaid! costs just $4.99 and provides an easy way to prep invoices and billing statements to keep track of your finances. It's a great tool for freelancers and sole proprietors and comes with a calculator, data backup and currency converter. As more people are embracing the freelance lifestyle and many of them are traveling to clients, such as eyelash technicians and yoga teachers, it's more important than ever to make it easy to pay and get paid.

4. Google Calendar

The freebie calendar from Google is obviously synced with your Gmail and works on a variety of platforms including Android, Nokia, Windows Mobile, the iPhone and Blackberry. You can instantly share it with colleagues, friends and family, check out their scheduled to sync up, and lets you personalize invitations and reminders. It helps you be where you need to be and with those helpful email reminders, you don't need to be scanning both a calendar and email at the same time to set up an appointment. For the vast majority of telecommuters, this is the only calendar you need.

5. ClickMeeting

ClickMeeting allows you to host and participate in online meetings from anywhere, using a mobile device or a desktop/laptop. It integrates with a number of other online aps, and includes full audio and video conferencing capabilities, along with a host of features such as moderated and private chat, the ability to host webinars, and share your screen for demo purposes.

6. PayPal

Love it or hate it, PayPal is still one of the easiest ways to pay and get paid, and for $30 a month you can have the PayPal app right on your mobile device. Remote workers depend on it for everything from invoicing to syncing up business credit cards. Plus, customers know and trust PayPal, so having it on the business website for sole proprietors is a great way to ensure fast and secure payments. Until something better comes along, it's best to embrace PayPal.

7. HootSuite

Customize how you control your social media platforms with this app that ranges from free to just under $10 per month. Stop going from site to site to post, comment, and share. This app is the ultimate social media manager and lets you simultaneously post on the biggies as well as lesser known platforms. Choose from Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn but don't forget Foursquare, MySpace (it's still staging a comeback), Ping.fm and even Mixi.

The best apps are the ones that work for you and your telecommuting lifestyle. Is there one you can't live without?

Original Source: technorati.com