It’s no secret that remote work is commonplace in 2024. Whether sparked by the pandemic or a natural trend because of our technological means, we’re in a situation where around a third of British and American employees work at least part-time from home, and this doesn’t include the many freelancers.
So, more and more we are having to rethink how we work, and how to better improve our workstations at home. This article looks at five tools that can have an immediate impact to boost comfort and productivity.
WiFi Heatmaps for Optimal Connectivity
Off the bat, a stable internet connection is the prerequisite when working from home. The issue is, though, that routers aren’t properly fit to reach all corners of our homes.
WiFi heatmap software has emerged as an essential tool here, because it creates a visual representation of wireless signal strength in our home. This helps identify dead zones and interference, meaning that users can strategically place routers better (or extenders) for maximum coverage. Perhaps you have two spaces you work from – the kitchen table and the dining room desk – and would like the best router position that covers both.
By walking through each room with a connected device, these heatmap applications generate colour-coded maps highlighting signal strength variations. Interpreting these results allows for informed decisions on router placement and potential upgrades.
Programmable Keyboards and Macro Pads
Programmable keyboards and macro pads can really help our workflow efficiency, but many workers do not know it. The perception is that these customised key functions used to automate repetitive tasks are just for video editors and the like. But no, they’re useful for almost anybody.
Popular programmable keyboards let users assign complex commands to single keys and create custom shortcuts. They even program entire sequences of actions. A crude example is to record a sequence of your opening a new tab, typing in “gmail.com” and selecting your work account. In this example, you shave off a few seconds when checking work mail. If you check it 30 times a day, this might be a few minutes saved. Then, there are other tasks you can automate, like inserting an email signature, entering code, or opening applications.
Separate macro pads provide additional programmable buttons without replacing the main keyboard. These can get very detailed, and you can begin to learn exactly what each button does from a range of 9-15 keys.
Setting up macros is surprisingly straightforward. Just keep an eye out for a few days for any repetitive things you do; any short sequences that you do a few times per day.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Focus
Noise-cancelling headphones have become another gadget to really help with focus, particularly in noisy environments. Bose, Apple and Sony are the three best brands for noise-cancelling technology. They use multiple microphones and sophisticated algorithms to analyse and counteract ambient sounds. The silence is stunning, with it even being possible to work on a plane in peace and quiet.
These are useful for working in a loud home, perhaps with other family members around or construction next door. For quick pass-through, there’s usually a dedicated button that halts your sound, turns off NC, and lets you communicate with those in your physical space. Then, it’s back on, and back to work!
Modern headphones can often connect to multiple devices too. It’s possible to be working on the laptop, then for your mobile phone to ring, and you take the call with the headphones seamlessly switching playback to the phone.
Smart Lighting Systems for Optimal Illumination
Smart lighting systems have also had an impact on home and office environments, giving workers greater control over illumination. Leading brands like Philips Hue and Nanoleaf provide comprehensive ecosystems that allow users to customise their lighting. Which, believe it or not, is very important to our mood, eye health, preventing migraines, and much more!
These systems typically use energy-efficient LED bulbs, so they save you money too. They’re controlled via smartphone apps or voice assistants, but the real feature is in their automation. It’s possible to schedule them to turn on/off when you begin/end work, but it’s also possible to fade them over time to reduce eye straight and mimic the sun setting.
Softer, less blue light can be used in the evening to aid sleep and align your circadian rhythm. You can also schedule the light to change colour as a prompt to you. For example, administrative work in the morning may be done with a bright white light in the morning, but 11 pm the colour changes to yellow, where you’re now reminded it’s study time and this is your reading light. Or, a different colour for a different client, almost acting as a pseudo-Pomodoro timer.
iPads and Tablets as Versatile Tools
iPads and tablets have evolved. Many of us own one, but we rarely extract everything we can from them. The latest models, such as the iPad Pro with the M2 chip, rival many laptops in performance while maintaining the advantages of a touch interface and stylus support. So, it can double as a work device (perhaps for cafes), and generally will have a better battery life than your laptop.
But where they go underused is their use as a secondary display, something that is very useful for workers. Extending screen real estate is proven to improve productivity, as we spend less time switching and minimising windows, but all without the need for bulky external monitors. Apps like Sidecar for iPads and Samsung’s Second Screen feature for Galaxy tablets allow seamless integration with primary computers. For cross-platform use, third-party apps like Duet Display offer similar functionality.
A second-hand tablet can be well under $100 and work well as a secondary monitor. They’re quick to put away and set up, and double as personal use in the evening, unlike a dedicated monitor. Of course, they excel in note-taking and brainstorming tasks, meaning you can use them as your second brain. Just make sure to use cloud apps so that your notes and work are accessible from your work laptop.
These five tools are cheap and easy ways to turbocharge your productivity and make your office a little more office-like. Or, not office-like, if that’s what you prefer.
