App reviews: Inkflow, 30/30

Inkflow: Doodle all you want, no paper required

There are plenty of apps out there meant to replace your handy pen and paper, and Inkflow is one of the better ones. A treat for visual thinkers, this app will read your finger or a stylus for smooth, responsive drawings. Ideal for quick idea sketches and thought maps, the app even lets you select, move and resize anything you write or draw with ease. You can share drawings by email or through Twitter as well. One drawback to the app is that the free version doesn’t include colored ink, so it’s less-than-ideal for real drawing. It also doesn’t have handwriting recognition, so jotted notes aren’t searchable. But if you are looking to replace your pocket pad of paper, Inkflow is well worth a download. Free, for iOS devices.

30/30: For staying on task, timing is everything

Sometimes when you get down to serious business, it helps to have your day scheduled down to the minute. 30/30, which works on the iPhone and iPad, is an update of the good old-fashioned kitchen timer. The timed sessions of the day aren’t tied to the clock, but in minute chunks that you can customize in order to get things done. With this intuitive and attractive app, users are able to visualize their workflow easily. The app is particularly good for folks who like to build in short breaks throughout the day, but works just as well for keeping track of cooking or laundry times. And, if you do get sidetracked, the app lets you pause, add minutes, reorder tasks or start over as well. Free, for iOS devices.