The new features let users do things like quickly generate fully formatted first drafts, slides, and sheets based on information from their Gmail, Chat, and Drive. The tools are designed to make the apps more personal and capable of helping users get things done faster, right within the platforms themselves, instead of needing to switch to a separate tool or chatbot.
Google is embedding its Gemini AI assistant even more deeply within its Workspace apps. The changes, which are rolling out to Google Workspace and AI plan subscribers, include a new Gemini chat window inside Google Docs, a way to generate entire spreadsheets with AI, and a new Gemini-powered search feature in Drive.
Writing something down by hand, right when it occurs to you, is still the fastest way to keep an idea from slipping away. Digital apps, meanwhile, have the opposite problem: the moment you unlock your phone to jot something down, you're one notification away from forgetting why you opened it.
This lifetime license gives you permanent access to eight Microsoft Office essentials. Tackle document creation with Word, build spreadsheets with Excel, manage your emails with Outlook, and design presentations with PowerPoint. You'll also receive some of Microsoft Office's newer favorites - Teams to stay connected with others, OneNote to upgrade your note-taking, Publisher to design professional marketing materials, and Access to manage large databases easily.
Digital paper tablets are getting more and more attention with brands like Kindle and ReMarkable, and there's even research to back up why. According to a 2025 study, participants who worked on digital paper tablets had 35% lower stress levels while completing their tasks, as well as a 30% reduction in cognitive load, compared to those who worked on computers.
The average office worker spends approximately 50% of their time managing documents rather than creating value for their business, research from Adobe says. If you're running a company that handles contracts, proposals, or client documentation, eliminate document conversion headaches with a lifetime PDF tool that processes files in seconds while preserving original formatting. PDF Converter & Editor is currently available to new users for just $29.99.
If you're staying here for a quite a bit already, you can see my favorite things to write: Ultimate list, curated list, lists of lists and it's not that obvious that I love curating and saving things that I found it useful and share this to you. Read on and discover the old and new bookmarking tools and apps for 2024, so far.
Sometimes, the best tech features are the ones you don't even actively think about - they're just there when you need 'em, quietly working on your behalf, without any fanfare or intensive effort required. Sometimes, though, those same sorts of scintillating slivers can have the unintended effect of being so seamlessly integrated into an app or process that you completely forget they're there and never get into the habit of actually using 'em. Or, worse yet, maybe you never even notice their arrival at all.
A rotating timer since it just might help you be more productive during the day. You can set it for a specific amount of time, so you stay on track with time management OR use it to remind yourself to take a break (which can also boost productivity). You can set the timer for 5-, 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-minute blocks by rotating it to the time you want. Then it will start the countdown.
Breakthroughs. Policy changes. New tools that promise to "10x your productivity." Most of it is either too technical, too abstract, or just plain filler. You don't need another wall of text, you need the signal. Luckily, there are a handful of AI newsletters that consistently deliver real value without taking up half your morning. (My editor wanted to make sure you knew about Fast Company's own such newsletter, by senior reporter Mark Sullivan: AI Decoded. You can sign up for it here.)
Working from home has its perks, but staying organized takes some effort. For me, the biggest challenge isn't distractions-it's keeping track of everything I need to do across different projects and deadlines. I'm not naturally the most organized person, so I rely on a handful of tools to keep things running smoothly. Over time, I've settled on five productivity tools that work well together without overwhelming my workflow. They range from note-taking apps to a simple physical timer that helps me focus.
It's not the coolest phrase in the world to utter, but here goes: I love Windows. Maybe you do too. Maybe you don't, but you're forced to use it for work. Whatever the case, for all its positives, Microsoft Windows also bundles in a handful of tools that are either bafflingly archaic or simply underpowered for the demands of the modern user.
The rise of generative AI in recent years has caused a massive strategic reorientation across the tech industry, as companies have scrambled to launch their own AI-powered products and services. Perhaps most memorably, Meta -- which three years ago changed its name from Facebook to signal its shift toward the metaverse (remember that thing?) -- announced that 2023 would be its "year of productivity," focused in large part on a pivot toward AI.
Clear daily structure with modular blocks: Uses consistent headings for Day 1 through Day 75, toggle sections for each checklist item, and ample whitespace for different logs Customizable habit tracking that's flexible: Includes checkboxes or progress bars for each task, like water intake, two workouts, reading, and picture, allowing you to adapt tracking on the fly Embedded progress visualization: Integrates visual elements such as calendars or progress streak counters (e.g., 10/75 days done) so you can quickly assess consistency
You know the right Slack apps could seriously improve your team's performance, but who has time to test them one by one? We're here to make it easier. We've done the heavy lifting and handpicked popular Slack apps that actually make your workflows smoother, communication faster, and your team a lot more intentional at work. From Slack project management to polls, and automation, this list has it all.
From something as simple as choosing what to wear for work to as complex as what business strategy to implement to achieve a competitive advantage, making decisions is an integral part of our everyday lives. The human brain is wired in such a way that we make many of these choices subconsciously, without even being aware of it! 🧠 However, not all decisions are (or should be) made subconsciously-sometimes, they result from proper thought, analysis, and planning.
Google's AI Mode is good at finding answers, but what happens when you need to do something with those answers? The thing is, different AI tools excel at different things. Some are built for seamless app integration, others crush data analysis, and a few specialize in understanding your industry context. If you're looking for Google AI Mode alternatives that can handle the heavy lifting in your daily work, these options bring something unique to the table. 🎯
