Android tablets are a favorite among gadget users because
they’re powerful, portable, and customizable. Some people may look down on
them, regarding them as devices simply made for entertainment purposes; they
may even argue that a laptop or desktop PC would be a more worthwhile
investment. However, it’s hard to match the versatility and simplicity of
tablets — and with the right tools and knowledge, you can make it do so much
more than just run games or movies. 

The best thing about Android tablets is that you don’t need
to rewire them or add hardware to make them more useful. All you have to do is check if they run properly, install helpful apps, and put up
proper security measures. Here are three ways to turn your tablet into an
optimized productivity-boosting tool.

1.  Install useful apps

One way to optimize your tablet is to turn it into a powerful
communication device. A good app for this would be HeyTell, which lets you
record a voice message that you can send over Wi-Fi or 3G data. It basically
allows your tablet to function just like a walkie-talkie. The popular PC-to-PC
voice call app Skype is also compatible with tablets. You can have it running
in the background to notify you of incoming calls. You can even use it to share
photos or chat with contacts in real time.

For note-taking purposes, you can download Flick Note for
your Android tablet, which comes in both free and paid versions (the paid
version, called Flick Notes Key, costs $5.01 USD, but it has extra widgets and no advertisements). Another option is Evernote, an app that
lets you synchronize your notes to a password-protected private account. You
can then read or modify your notes from any device, provided that it can access
your account.

Another essential app for your tablet is Dropbox, which
serves as both a storage locker and a method of syncing your important files
across all your devices. This is very useful for times when you need to pull up
an important reference file but don’t have it on your Android. The Kindle app,
on the other hand, enables you to read important e-books using your device.

Lastly, stay updated on important events with the CNN app,
and never be caught off-guard by unexpected weather again by tuning in to the
Weather Channel app.

2.  Make your work essentials more
accessible

The ability to add bookmarks or shortcuts to your Android
device is quite useful, especially if the work you do deals mostly with online
resources. You can even create shortcuts for practical things like driving
instructions or weather reports on your home page. Just tap and hold any empty
area of your screen, and a menu will pop up to let you choose which app to
create a shortcut for.

It also helps to organize the icons on your home screen to
make it easier to distinguish your work-related apps from your other apps. You
can drag the icons across your screen and arrange them according to either
category or frequency of use.

3.  Increase speed by cleaning it up

A well-maintained tablet is a fast tablet.
Installing a lot of apps on your Android device will definitely take a toll on its
speed and performance. Avoid lag or loading issues by keeping only the apps you
need (or use frequently) and uninstalling the rest. This will help
your device run faster, plus it will get rid of potential distractions that hinder you from being productive.

You can also use an app killer for unnecessary apps that are
running in the background. The Advanced Task Killer comes with options to
automatically kill an app with a single click or place it on an Ignore list.

Just follow these tips, and your Android tablet can be just
as efficient, useful, and important as your business phone and laptop are to
your work.

Michelle Simpson is a full-time professional editor that focuses on
online writing services, specializing in the field of technology like RingCentral PBX, business, and current trends in the industry.