Uses This
(Last updated: 30 April 2024)
Inspired by Uses This, the tools, services, and techniques I’m using to get things done.
Hardware
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MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2021): Work computer provided by Go-Jek.
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MacBook Air M1 (13-inch, 2020): My personal computer.
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iPhone 13 Pro: Primary phone.
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ESR Armorite Screen Protector Guard: Screen protector for my iPhone.
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ESR Cloud Soft Case: iPhone 13 Pro Case with MagSafe.
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OnePlus 5: The best bang for the buck phone out there.
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Spigen Rugged Armor Cover Case: Spigen has the best covers.
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Sony WH-1000XM3: Best noise cancelling headphones out there in 20-30K INR price range.
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AirPods Pro: pairs with my iPhone and Mac.
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Apple Watch 7: To track my fitness.
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Apple Watch cover: Because I don’t want scratches on my watch.
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Sounce Case for AirPods : Protective case.
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Keyboard Cover for MacBook Air: Protective skin keyboard cover.
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OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z: Pairs with my OnePlus 5.
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Kindle Paperwhite (Wi-fi model): I bought my first Kindle in 2015. Got another Kindle Paperwhite as part of my onboarding at Directi. I use both Kindles: one for reading non fiction (and take notes) and another for fiction (mostly light reading).
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Cuzor CZ-01A-12 Power Backup for Router: Enjoy uninterrupted power supply to your router.
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Apple iPad (Wi-Fi, 32GB): I spent months agonising over whether to buy it or not. It has turned out to be money well spent. Helpful for creating quick mocks. My wife uses it to draw.
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Apple Pencil: Bought it along with with my iPad. It has been a life changer. Super helpful to create handwritten notes & also draw on Procreate (when you are in the mood for it).
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Proffisy Laptop Stand: Good build quality; I got 2 of these.
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Gizga Cable Organiser Manager: Organizing and concealing all types of cables.
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Sony PS4 Slim: Countless games played on this bad boy.
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Featherlite Helix Office Chair: Newly acquired.
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Mi Smart Band 4: I took a lot of time deciding between this and a Fitbit. TBH I am quite happy with this one.
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SwooK Case Cover Shell: Cover for my M1.
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Cable Hunter® Thunderbolt 3 to USB: Far cheaper than getting a USB hub.
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Mi Smart Bedside Lamp 2: I went ahead with this instead Hue because it was cheaper. It has been a good buy. I turn it on half an hour before I sleep.
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Deco M5: There is some signal and speed loss, but I am overall happy with this buy.
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TP-Link Archer C6: My main router.
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LG C2 65 TV: Splurged on it after I bought the PS5. Very expensive, but worth it.
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Study desk: I use a dining table as my study desk; cheaper, solid wood and far more space than a traditional desk.
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Fuji X-E4: My travel camera. Use the 27mm F2.8 lens with it.
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Sony PS5: Should have upgraded to this much earlier.
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OnePlus Nord Buds: Had to get a completely wireless earphones for my OnePlus.
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Omron body composition monitor: My team gifted this one to me.
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Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Printer: For photo printouts.
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Anker 537 Power Bank, 24,000mAh: Power bank for laptop.
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Anker 20000 mAh PD Power Bank, PowerCore (Series 3): Power bank for phone.
Software
On Laptop
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Sketch: Got a license thanks to Go-Jek. Fulfils all my prototyping needs (also when I need to make memes).
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Atom: Typing this on Atom. I like Sublime Editor too.
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Google Chrome: My primary browser.
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AdblockPlus: To stop the annoying Youtube ads.
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Microsoft Office Suite: Can’t live without Excel as a Product Manager.
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Slack: For Office Communication.
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Zoom: Best Video Conferencing tool out there. Go-Jek runs on Zoom.
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Deep L Write Pro: I edit my posts using this.
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ChatGPT Plus: My assistant.
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Claude AI: My other assistant.
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Affinity design suite: One time purchase because I can’t pay Adobe every month.
On iPad
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iBooks: To read epubs on my iPad when I am bored of reading on my Phone.
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Notes: To take handwritten notes using my Apple Pencil during meetings.
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Procreate: The only software I did not feel bad paying for.
On Phone
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Google Podcasts: To listen to podcasts during my commute.
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InkPad Notepad: Primary note taking app on my Phone. I live my live through it.
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Lithium: Have read dozens of ebooks on my phone thanks to this app.
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Insight Timer - Free Meditation App: I prefer this free app over paying for Headspace now.
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Splitwise: To share expenses with friends and family.
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Youtube Music: Started listening to music on this app after paying for Youtube Premium.
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Waking Up: Guided Meditation: I paid for a year of Waking up. Then did not renew because I started relying on Insight Timer for my meditations.
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Headspace: Meditation & Sleep: Another app I use. I pay for this too.
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TickTick: ToDo List Planner, Reminder & Calendar: Track my tasks usint this app.
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INDmoney: To invest in the US markets.
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Binance: Store my cryptos mostly here.
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Stretch Club: I do the posture reset exercise everyday.
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Lightroom: Use it to edit my photos. Have it on my iPhone as well as iPad.
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Streaks: My habit tracking app.
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Lose it: To track my daily calories.
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Nike Run Club: To track my runs.
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Nike Training: Best free training app.
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Pretty Progress: Progress bar and countdown widgets.
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Things: Personal tasks manager.
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Waterllama: Water tracker app.
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Quartr: To listen to earnings calls of companies I track.
Health
Home gym
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Squat Half Rack: Daemon half rack from Siege Fitness. I have the rack and all the extensions.
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Bench: Gym Weight Bench 900 Black from Decathlon.
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Barbell: Chieftain Barbell from Siege Fitness.
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Weight training equipments: curl rod, dumbbell rods, plain rods + around 100 kgs weight: Got the cheapest equipments because I did not want to overcommit and then have weights occupying space.
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AMAZE Multipurpose Exercise Flat Bench: Extremely fuddu bench but I needed something to do chest workouts. Can’t wait to get a better bench. Most Amazon gym equipments are low quality. My plan is to use these for 6 months and then spend more and get better stuff from local retailers.
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USI Universal Power Lifting Belt PLH: For deadlifts.
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Kettlebells - AmazonBasics cast-iron 6kg and 12 kgs: Kettlebells are amazing; I mostly use them for swings and presses.
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AmazonBasics Puzzle Exercise Mat with EVA Foam Interlocking Tiles: Protects the floor.
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Dolphy Exercise Spinning Bike: Not using this as much as I would have liked.
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Fitlastics Resistance Loop Bands: These are very good for warming up. You can even use them as replacement for weights. I have all the bands from Fitlastic.
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Wrist Wrap Gloves: Highly recommend this one.
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Push-up Bars: Like my bike, this is something which is mostly lying unused. Should not have bought them.
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Wooden Indian Mugdar: Trying to use this and my kettlebells more.
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Squat Wedge: Professional Squat Ramp for Weightlifting and Fitness by Yokefit.
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Ankle Strap: Ankle Strap for Cable Machine by Sportneer.
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Aerobics Stepper: Fitness Stepper by Lifelong.
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Barbell Pad for Weight Lifting: Extra Cushion Squat Pad for Gym.
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Boldfit Fabric Resistance Band: Resistance Band for leg/glute workouts.
Wellness
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Gloria Green by Springwel: Best mattress I have slept on.
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Allin Exporters Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Useful purchase.
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Ekam Fragrance Candles: Candles have been a pretty good addition to my life.
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Steam inhaler: Have been using it everyday before I sleep.
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Nykaa sheet masks: Put on a sheet mask, light a nice candle, play some podcast in the background. This is how I treat myself after a hard week at work.
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Plants: Plants are a good happiness hack.
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Reusable Cool Gel Eye Mask: Something to relax the eyes after a day of staring at screens.
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Silk Eye Mask: Very high quality.
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Casinokart Chip Pack: My poker set. Yes, this comes under wellness.
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Poker set: Casinoite Billion 500 with Denomination Bricks Chip Set.
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Solar lamp for Home: For the cosy vibe in your veranda.
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Dr Physio USA Shiatsu Kneading Pillow Cushion Full Body Neck Massager: For massaging my legs and back before I sleep.
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Caresmith CHARGE Cordless Massage Gun: To relax my muscles after football.
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Shower filter for hard water: Need this to survive in Bangalore.
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Airfryer: Philips Digital Air Fryer HD9252/90.