The best time-saving gadgets and apps of 2017

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  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8

    Samsung Galaxy Note 8

    The just-unveiled phablet is earning raves not just as the best smartphone for business, but as a true productivity device. Much of the praise has gone to the smarter S Pen, which offers real-time text translation and allows the user to handwrite and animate messages.

    Preorders are now being taken; the unlocked 64GB Note 8 in Midnight Black lists for $929.99 at Samsung. CNET has a breakdown on the best deals.

    Photo by: Photo by: Andrew Hoyle/CNET

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Token

    Token

    Slip on biometric-identity ring and move toward a key-less, card-less, password-free life. The Token promises to handle the authentication for you.

    Prices start at $249, but if you didn't buy in during the (now-sold-out) preorder phase, you'll have to wait until production ramps up in spring 2018. Reservations are being taken at Token's site.

    Photo by: Token via Facebook

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • ZEI°

    ZEI°

    This Bluetooth-equipped, eight-sided device from Timeular aims to save you time by letting you track your time efficiently. Assign a task to each side -- literally write "meeting" or "email" on it, if you wish -- and then flip the polygon to the appropriate side as you move from task to task.

    Available via Timeular for $129.

    Photo by: Timeular

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Mu Tag

    Mu Tag

    This one's a twist on the help-you-find-your-missing-keys gadget: The attachable Mu Tag with Bluetooth-beacon technology promises to keep you from losing them in the first place.

    The developer says it pulls off this trick with an app that sends alerts to your smart device. Preorders are being taken via Indiegogo; shipping is expected in December. Prices start at $25.

    Photo by: informu via Indiegogo

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Here One

    Here One

    The "special sauce" in these wireless, "smarter than the AirPods" ear buds are customizable noise filters that allow you to tune out the outside world. Available for $299.99 from Here One.

    Photo by: Here One via Facebook,

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Amazon Dash Wand

    Amazon Dash Wand

    This Wi-Fi-enabled, Alexa-powered gadget is amazing. With a voice command or barcode scan, "it will add anything ... to your cart, as long its available on Amazon," CNET noted.

    That should make ordering office supplies easier. Buy the Dash Wand at Amazon for $20 -- and get $20 off your next eligible purchase on the registered device.

    Photo by: CNET

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Life Bot

    Life Bot

    This Alexa skill is a jack-of-all-trades voice bot that can send reminders and to-do lists to your phone. When you've misplaced your phone, it'll give it a ring. And when you ask it for a meditation time-out, it'll play soothing music. Enable Life Bot for free at Amazon.com.

    Photo by: AskLifeBot.com

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • DeX Station

    DeX Station

    This is another time-saver, if not game-changer from Samsung. The DeX docking station essentially converts your Galaxy S8, S8+ and now the Galaxy Note 8 into a desktop computer. We liked it when it was introduced. Available via Samsung for $123.99.

    Photo by: Samsung

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Focus

    Focus

    This Mac app is a distracting-website blocker that's much more. It blocks distracting apps, too. Focus also serves up inspirational quotes, and allows you to schedule breaks so that you can peek at Facebook or email at lunch.

    Download a free trial at HeyFocus.com; prices start at $19.99 for a single license for a single Mac.

    Photo by: HeyFocus.com

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Luxafor Flag

    Luxafor Flag

    Manage -- or prevent -- workplace interruptions by attaching this LED light to your laptop, then downloading the Luxafor software, and setting the indicator to glow red (for busy, if you wish), green (you're free), or other colors and patterns.

    The Luxafor Flag can also be used as a timer or time-management device. From $28 at Luxafor.com.

    Photo by: Luxafor via Facebook

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Missive

    Missive

    Named one of Time's best apps for 2017, Missive bills itself as "team email that works." It works with Gmail and Google Apps and allows you and your team to compose group emails and chat within email threads.

    Available for Android, iOS, Mac and, as of this year, Windows. A free version is offered; the price goes up to $10 a month per user for unlimited chat history.

    Photo by: Missive

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Razer Atheris mouse

    Razer Atheris mouse

    Pitched to gamers for its "lag-free" performance, this wireless productivity mouse deploys a 7200 DPI optical sensor for accuracy and speed and boasts long-lasting battery performance (up to 350 hours, it says, from a pair of AAs). Get it from Razer for $49.99.

    Photo by: PRNewsfoto/Razer

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Eufy Genie

    Eufy Genie

    Alexa skills can make you more productive; the new Alexa-enabled Eufy Genie can make you more productive for roughly $15 cheaper than the cheapest Amazon Echo device.

    As a bonus, ZDNet found the Genie's speaker "feels warmer and a little bassier" than the Echo Dot's. Get it for $34.99 at Amazon. (And, no, Amazon won't mind.)

    Photo by: Eufy via Amazon.com

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Pup smart scanner

    Pup smart scanner

    This wireless, compact, connected pocket scanner allows you to capture document images with the press of a button and sit back while they're transferred to your favorite clouds. Preorders are being taken at Indiegogo; prices start at $199. December shipping is estimated.

    Photo by: Pup Scan via Facebook

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Packr

    Packr

    This iOS app not only helps you create a packing checklist based on your destination and length of stay, but it also intuits from your last business trip what you'll need to bring on your next one. Packr's free and premium versions ($1.99 for a download) are available via the Apple App Store.

    Photo by: Packr via iTunes

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Tile Style and Tile Sport

    Tile Style and Tile Sport

    With its new Pro Series, the popular Bluetooth-tracker brand adds the Tile Sport and Tile Style. "They feel sturdy and look more premium" than the previous models, CNET found.

    When prompted by the app, Tile says they emit a louder ring than the Mate or Slim -- the better to help you locate your passport, luggage, or whatever else you've tagged with the gadgets. Prices for the Style and Sport start at $35 each, via Tile.

    Photo by: Tile via Facebook

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Microsoft Planner

    Microsoft Planner

    Upon its launch last year, Microsoft Planner was seen as a potentially "very useful tool" for streamlining project management. It's since added versatility with its new mobile app for Android and iOS. The mobile app is free; Planner requires an eligible Office 365 work or school subscription.

    Photo by: Microsoft

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • ReachNow

    ReachNow

    This BMW-backed, car-sharing service takes the hassle out renting a car. Sign up for the service (now available in Seattle, Portland, and Brooklyn), locate a ReachNow car near you, unlock it via your smartphone or ReachNow card, and take off.

    Rent by the minute, hour, or day. Drop-off is said to be as easy as leaving the car in any legal, street-parking spot within the service area. Get the free-to-download ReachNow app via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

    Photo by: ReachNow via Facebook

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Workflow

    Workflow

    The versatile Workflow worked so well as a task-automation iOS app that Apple bought it in March and eliminated its $2.99 price tag. Download it for free via the Apple App Store.

    Photo by: Workflow

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

  • Welltory

    Welltory

    This stress-and-energy-management app is, as TechCrunch put it, "Google Analytics for humans."

    Chief among its features is its capability to synthesize your data from Google Fit, Fitbit, and any other number of apps and gadgets, and show you in a chart how your lifestyle is affecting your productivity. Available for free download for iOS and Android; paid add-ons available.

    Photo by: Welltory

    Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

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Mu Tag

This one's a twist on the help-you-find-your-missing-keys gadget: The attachable Mu Tag with Bluetooth-beacon technology promises to keep you from losing them in the first place.

The developer says it pulls off this trick with an app that sends alerts to your smart device. Preorders are being taken via Indiegogo; shipping is expected in December. Prices start at $25.

Caption by: Leslie Gornstein

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