So, I’m a little late to the party. But I’m willing to bet than I’m not the only one.
In the world of technology arriving late doesn’t always matter, anyway. The important thing is that you get there in the end. However, for those of you yet to embrace Pokki with open arms, the clock is ticking.
You see, Pokki is essentially a Windows alternative to the proposed Mac OS AppStore, allowing you to install a bundle of useful applications (known as ‘Pokkies’) straight to your desktop, where they will reside next to the start icon. It’s essentially a bridge between a desktop application and a web app, and although this concept isn’t ‘fresh’ enough to fill you to bursting point with uncontrollable excitement, it’ll only take you a few hours of using Pokki before you begin to understand quite how it’ll re-jig your definition of productivity for the better.
The AppStore is small at the minute, granted, but there are already enough applications to provide access to your Twitter, Facebook, Email and RSS feeds, directly from the desktop. Although the majority of tech-savvy individuals will already have desktop variations for these essential social tools, having them all in one place, akin to Pokki, is far more appealing than running multiple applications in the background. Pokki also supports push notifications as default, which will help you to stay in the loop 24/7.
It’s not just the functionality provided by this application suite that’s appealing, though. There’s also something to be said for the remarkable ease of use. Applications can be installed or removed with a single click, and finding new apps to play with is never a problem, thanks to the in-built catalogue, with new applications added all the time. Pokki is rather intelligent, too, and your chosen desktop clients will automatically update themselves – presenting a push notification with the update details upon completion.
Regarding push notifications, Pokki also utilises a number system, so that you can easily tell, at a glance, how many emails, tweets or feeds you have yet to read and respond to. And again, as all of these tools are available in one single location, next to your start menu, Pokki provides considerable ease of use when compared to running a separate desktop client for Twitter, Email and Facebook.
The interface is incredibly responsive, and rather attractive, with all applications built using HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. Maximising and minimising applications is a quick, easy affair and there’s minimal delay, even of the oldest of computer hardware. Evidently, the use of Pokki requires a persistent internet connection, not only to download new applications from the internet, but also to receive push notifications for incoming messages, which could certainly be seen as the only, albeit rather small, flaw.
With Twitter, Facebook and Email tied to your desktop, in a slick and efficient manner, there’s no doubt that you’ll increase in productivity where managing these websites is concerned. The majority of tasks can be performed within the mini web-apps themselves, but should you encounter a situation that requires access to the full-blown website, such as viewing a Facebook group, then Pokki will automatically launch the required page in your default browser. Simples.
Amongst communication tools, Pokki also provides access to shopping portals such as Living Social, music services through GrooveShark and even small games to help you relax during your downtime, in the shape of Infinite Mario.
At present, Pokki looks well on the way to becoming a fully fledged essential desktop service. And with a constant stream of new applications launching frequently, it won’t be long until Pokki improves upon the already extensive list of tools to help improve productivity and communication tenfold.
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