Some days, running a business can feel like playing the arcade game Whac-A-Mole. Get one thing done and BAM, the next one appears. For this reason, it’s nice to have technology that works together; technology that allows you to go seamlessly between whatever tasks the day brings. Apple is renowned for creating products that do just that, specifically the iPhone and every desktop or laptop the company manufactures.

But some app developers think Apple doesn’t go far enough. So they continuously create apps that enable you to start a sentence on your laptop and finish it on your iPhone. This may sound like overkill–and sometimes it is–but these apps can often make things you didn’t even know you could do — even easier to do. Like magic. And, depending on your situation, something that may sound quirky initially, may quickly turn into your favorite app. So before you pass judgement, check out this small sampling of apps that help your iPhone/iPad work together with your Mac computer…like magic.

iPhone hands free calling through your Mac

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App: Dialogue (link): Their video on YouTube sums it up best: Say you are working on a project on your Mac and Mila Kunis calls you. You could miss it because your phone is on vibrate, or you might not feel like holding the phone to your ear. But fear not: Thanks to Dialogue, you can now answer calls from your desktop. We do, however, suggest using headphones with a built-in microphone, as the sound quality can be spotty without them. It also keeps people from getting jealous over your steamy celebrity relationship.

Have iPhone notifications also appear on your computer’s desktop

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App: Notifyr (link): This one’s simple: an easy way to receive notifications from your phone on your desktop. It’s similar to the feature that certain cable and telephone providers have that allows caller ID information to be displayed on your television screen. You can also select which apps you want notifications from, so you can get the score of a World Cup match while keeping it hidden that you’ve just been matched with your boss’ daughter on Tinder.

Tap your iPhone to unlock your computer’s screen

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App: Knock (link):

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Canoe. Canoe who? Canoe stop knocking on your pants pocket every time you sit down at your computer? Macs have an optional security feature that, when activated, requires a password to access a screen after it goes to sleep. It’s a great feature for many reasons, but can be a hassle if you’re constantly having to re-enter it to wake up your screen. Enter The Knock app, which stores your computer’s wake-up password in a way that can be activated by tap (the work “knock” is branding) on your iPhone. (We’re still scratching our heads over what inspired the app’s creator to come up with this stroke, or, knock, of genius.)

Copy a web address on your iPhone and open it with your Mac (without using email)

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App: Command-C (link): Ever copy a link on a iPhone and want to open it on your desktop without having to email it? This app allows users to do just that, plus an array of other nerdy delights that comes with being able to share clipboards.

Use a full-size bluetooth keyboard to operate your iPhone

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App: Type2Phone (link): Situations where one might need  a full-size keyboard to operate a small electronic device have inspired products since the days of Palm Pilots and the era when everyone knew PDA actually stood for “personal digital assistant.” For texting, or writing a 140-character tweet, you probably won’t need this. But for writing a novel — or even an email — you may want another option besides thumb typing. Apple bluetooth keyboards are slim, trim and lots cooler than the ones they used to have for Palm Pilots–meaning, what are you waiting for?

Do you have any short-cut apps that connect your Mac and iPhone/iPad? Share them in the comments below.

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