6 Desktop Companion Apps
Here at Apartment Therapy we try to find ways to blend appealing design into our lives, including those available via smartphone. With a dock or a budget stand that blank screen, much like a blank canvas has a lot of potential. Here are 6 desktop companion apps to add a little flair to your workspace.
iOS
Uniqlo Calendar
From the Japanese fashion design company comes a beautiful app that is also informative. Pop this app on while your iPhone is docked and it will display local weather, calendar, videography of several areas of Japan while playing music in the background (which can be turned off). It has the ability to sync with iCal and Google Calendar should you wish it to be more than eye candy. Every bit of detail from this app pleases the eyes making it a highly recommendable addition to any workspace. Free
Android
3D Digital Weather Clock
One of the more appealing features of Android are the flexibility in the overall interface. 3D Digital Weather Clock is an app that enhances the user experience by adding a home screen widget that displays time and weather alongside your apps. This is just one of the many options that developer Factory Widgets has. Their range of clock widgets range from cute and simple to quirky. An ideal addition to any desktop. Free
Windows Phone 7
MyStocks Portfolio is as its name suggests, a very effective monitor that tracks the markets. Not only does it stay on top of information as it happens accurately and efficiently, the interface is gorgeous displaying everything without clutter. MyStocks Portfolio integrates with Yahoo/Google/MSN Finance and can import or export using csv format for easy data backup. If that hasn't caught your fancy then the live tile feature will be sure to seal the deal. $2 for the Ad-free version
NoteLocker
The tiles on Windows Phones remind me of post it notes. In an increasingly paperless world, small little reminders are shorter than tweets so why not jot down small tidbits on your phone? NoteLocker offers just that by creating tiles that look like post it notes with a myriad of colors. Notes can be organized into categories and even pinned to the start screen. It's true apps like Evernote or Simple Note can do all that and more but the beauty of NoteLocker is keeping it as minimal as possible making it the perfect desktop companion that moves with you. Free
(Photograph: Android Academy Shop)