20 best apps and gadgets for replacing your assistant (that aren't named Siri)

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  • Tile Bluetooth tracker

    Tile Bluetooth tracker

    You know that Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant can make your professional life easier. Here are the apps and devices that perhaps you don't know about.

    Misplaced your keys, laptop or even passport? Just give the lost object a ring via the Tile Mate or Tile Slim you've attached to it. When paired with a Tile device, your phone will ring even if it's on silent.

    Available directly via Tile. Prices vary. (Please note that all prices listed in this gallery were current as of publication.)

    Photo by: Tile via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • ParkWhiz

    ParkWhiz

    This online service has handled Super Bowl parking; it can handle your quest to nab a space at the airport or near the downtown restaurant. Find and book guaranteed parking via your device.

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • iMCO Watch

    iMCO Watch

    This wearable is billed as the first to put the power of Alexa on your wrist. The iMCO is IFTTT-friendly, and it works as a fitness tracker, too. Three styles are available; prices start at $229.

    Photo by: iMCO Watch via YouTube

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Behmor Connected coffee maker

    Behmor Connected coffee maker

    Per CNET, this 8-cup smart brewer makes "excellent pots of drip" with the help of the Behmor app, which lets you control everything from pre-soak time to temperature.

    Pair it with Alexa to order it around like a real assistant: "Alexa, ask Behmor to start brewing my favorite coffee." Get it at Amazon.com for $154.75.

    Photo by: Behmor via Amazon.com

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Joan

    Joan

    Joan is an electronic sign that works as a meeting-room scheduler. It supports office-calendar programs, such as iCalendar, Office 365 and Google Suite, and allows scheduling via computer and mobile devices.

    With the touchscreen version you can also reserve a room directly. Prices vary by model.

    Photo by: Joan via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • ZUtA portable robotic printer

    ZUtA portable robotic printer

    This compact black-ink printer, listed as weighing fewer than 13 ounces, connects to your device via Wi-Fi. Set it down on a standard-sized piece of paper, and watch it pump out an estimated 100 pages per cartridge.

    Pre-orders are being taken for $299 per machine; the printers are expected to ship in early 2018.

    Photo by: ZUtA Labs via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • AwardWallet

    AwardWallet

    The New York Times called this free reward-points app "a game changer" and an "uncomplicated" way of monitoring your frequent-flier miles at a glance on your Android or iOS device.

    Photo by: AwardWallet via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Travelmate suitcase

    Travelmate suitcase

    Billed as "the first true robot companion and fully autonomous suitcase," the smartphone-controlled Travelmate will motor alongside you at speeds up to 6.75 mph, and use its built-in sensors to avoid collisions.

    The fully funded Indiegogo project is expected to ship its suitcases in September; prices start at $499.

    Photo by: Travelmate Robotics

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Mobile Passport

    Mobile Passport

    This free app from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency allows U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors to speed through customs at 21 U.S.-based international airports and one seaport (Florida's Port Everglades). After a brief setup, entry can be as quick as holding your smartphone over a scanner.

    Photo by: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Florida via Twitter

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Livescribe 3 smartpen

    Livescribe 3 smartpen

    This gadget digitizes your handwritten notes (as jotted down on the company's proprietary dot paper), and syncs them to your Android or iOS device. So-called pencasts let you record audio and your writing at the same time. Available via Livescribe; prices start at $149.95.

    Photo by: Livescribe via Amazon.com

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Expensify

    Expensify

    This "all-around finance tracking business app," as CBS Small Business Pulse put it, works for the on-the-go employee who's filing expense reports -- or the time-crunched exec who's approving them.

    Receipts can be captured with SmartScan, and reports completed with "one tap"; on the admin end, select expenses can be approved automatically. Free to monthly-fee plans available via Expensify.

    Photo by: Expensify via Twitter

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Mymanu CLIK earbuds

    Mymanu CLIK earbuds

    When connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone, the wireless earbuds can translate any one of 37 different languages in real time. You can pre-order a pair via the UK-based Mymanu for £219.00 (roughly $289). Shipping is expected this summer.

    Photo by: Mymanu via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Evernote

    Evernote

    This "cloud-based productivity tool" allows you to "capture, organize, and share notes," even handwritten ones. Free and annual-fee plans available via Evernote.

    Photo by: Screenshot by Patrick Holland/CNET

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Tokk

    Tokk

    This Bluetooth-enabled, hands-free smart speaker attaches magnetically to "any" garment, the California-based Tokk says, and lets you make calls or confer with your smartphone's AI with just a click or two. Get it in white, black or red for $49.99 via Tokk.

    Photo by: Tokk via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Tefori tea infuser

    Tefori tea infuser

    This tea infuser is "ideal in an office setting," the Washington Post said. You can literally scan your tea to maximize flavor (provided you use the Teforia-branded teas that have been packaged in RFID-tagged containers).

    The Teforia Leaf infuser sells for $399; the Teforia Classic, which can infuse non-Teforia teas, too, goes for $999.

    Photo by: Teforia via Facebook

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • TripIt

    TripIt

    Hailed as "arguably the best app for organizing all your travel plans," TripIt Pro delivers real-time flight alerts, tracks reward points and lets you know when a better airline seat has become available. It costs $49 a year.

    A free, basic version, known simply as TripIt, sticks to organizing.

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Microsoft Bookings

    Microsoft Bookings

    Available to users with an Office 365 Business Premium subscription, this app allows your clients to schedule appointments online. It sends out reminders, and makes it easy for the business owner to keep track of everything.

    Photo by: Microsoft

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Conference Manager

    Conference Manager

    This "must-have," Vonage-built Alexa skill takes the dialing out of dialing into a conference call. Simply tell Alexa to "start my call." Because Conference Manager connects to your Google calendar, it'll know which call you're talking about.

    It supports WebEx, GoToMeeting, BlueJeans and Vonage Business.

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Mastermind

    Mastermind

    This Alexa skill ups Alexa's virtual-assistant game. With it, you can place phone calls, send texts, launch apps, get calendar updates, and more. New skill-enablers are being wait-listed (due to demand, its developer, Convessa says); $15 will buy your way out of the line.

    Photo by: Mastermind Bot via YouTube

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

  • Dictate

    Dictate

    This Microsoft Garage project, a plug-in for Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint, types what you say, and, when commanded, includes punctuation. More than 20 languages are supported for dictation. Available for free download from Microsoft.

    Photo by: Microsoft via YouTube

    Caption by: Joal Ryan

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Park easier, travel easier, make office coffee easier -- and better.

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Tile Bluetooth tracker

You know that Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant can make your professional life easier. Here are the apps and devices that perhaps you don't know about.

Misplaced your keys, laptop or even passport? Just give the lost object a ring via the Tile Mate or Tile Slim you've attached to it. When paired with a Tile device, your phone will ring even if it's on silent.

Available directly via Tile. Prices vary. (Please note that all prices listed in this gallery were current as of publication.)

Caption by: Joal Ryan

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