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Category Archives: Hardware

Review of BrydgeAir iPad Keyboard Case

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Jonathan Lounsberry Posted in Hardware, iPad, Product Reviews 2 Comments
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Brydge Air 1I am always in search for the “ideal” keyboard/case for my iPad. Since its debut, I used my iPad as an extension of my computer (more on that in an upcoming post), rather than a media consumer. So for the past few months, I have been testing different keyboard/cases and look forward to testing a few others (and welcome any suggestions). Below is my review of the BrydgeAir iPad keyboard case.

Why a keyboard/case?

Before we dive into the review of the BrydgeAir, consider that my review comes from the stand-point stated above: I use my iPad as an extension of my computer, rather than a media consumer.

I know others feel differently; and, sure, there are things that an iPad cannot do as well as a computer. But, for what I do (e.g., word-processing; creating and presenting Keynote presentation; answering and drafting email; reviewing and annotating PDFs; and as a tool for litigation) the iPad is an ideal a computer replacement; nonetheless, I will admit there are times when a computer is the better tool.

For example, my iPad always goes with me to Court as both a case file and note-taking tool. This allows me to have access to all the documents in my file; my research and preferred research service; the internet; and a word processor for note taking. As so as I leave the courtroom, my notes are sent to the case file, while I begin drafting an Order or other necessary document through the built-in dictation. There is no other tool that offers this kind of productivity (yes, you could use your smartphone, but given its size that does not seem a practical alternative).

If you work requires more “heavy-lifting,” then the iPad may not provide the same utility. But, I think if your iPad is properly set-up and you do not expect it to function exactly like your computer the possibilities are exponential, especially considering the features of iOS 9 (see Ben’s post about the new features here). More on this later; for now, let us turn our attention to the BrydgeAir.

The BrydgeAir

Having taken the BrydgeAir with me to the courthouse a few times, used it to draft several documents (including this blog post), conduct research, and other various activities, I am very pleased with its performance. Overall, I rate the BrydgeAir a 4 out of 5. “As-is” it is a top-notch choice that I will likely continue to use; but with a few adjustments I believe the BrydgeAir could be an outstanding keyboard case.

Pros:

Easy pairing: Pairing the keyboard with your iPad is very easy (the keyboard uses a series of “beeps” to let you know the two devices are paired). The keyboard also works quite well; but I think a few adjustments (as illustrated below) it could be made better.

Aluminum body: The BrydgeAir is made from a single-piece of high grade aluminum. This feature alone makes it stand above other keyboard/cases I have tested so far. Once the iPad is placed in the hinges, there is no question of it falling out. Also from a cosmetic stand-point, it compliments the iPad quite nicely.

Backlight keys: Although, most of the places I use my iPad are well-light, I am sure this feature will be handy at the right time.

Built-in Speakers: The BrydgeAir also incorporates a set of bluetooth speakers, which have great sound quality (just like with the pairing of the keyboard, there is a series of “beeps” letting you know the devices are paired); which is a very useful feature.

Exceptional battery life.

Cons:

Cost: The $169.00 price is at the higher-end for keyboard/cases.

180 Degree Hinge: While the BrydgeAir allows for you to fold it “flat,” it would be outstanding if the hinges allowed the keyboard completely fold over (like a book). Additionally, when the hinges are laid out 180 degrees, the iPad does not sit flush.

Lack of a “fn” Key: In the place of the “fn” key is a key to activate Siri, which has led my muscle memory to create some awkward Siri outbursts. I would prefer to have the “fn” key in its normal location and for the key to activate Siri on the top key row (above the number keys).

Lack of a iOS Multitasking Key: The way I use my iPad, the iOS multitasking key is an important feature, as it allows me to access. Like the hinge, if the BrydgeAir keyboard case incorporated this feature, there is no question it would be keyboard of choice.

The keys could be a little more responsive and require a little less travel.

Removing the iPad: The same safety and security that comes from the hinges also makes it difficult to remove the iPad. Since the hinges only fold so far and prevent the iPad from sitting flush, it would be great if removal of the iPad were not such a hassle.

Noise: The keyboard can be a little noisy (or it could just be my typing style), but I have yet to receive any complaints from a Judge or Court Reporter (thankfully).

Which Mac Should You Buy?

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware, Mac vs. PC, Online Resources, Switching to Macs Leave a comment
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which mac should you buy

If you’re in the market for buying a Mac, whether to make the switch from PCs or to upgrade an existing one, you may be wondering which Mac should you buy? Fear not, as Macworld recently published an article to help you choose the right Mac for you. This guide provides an overview of all the models currently available, what each model is best suited for, and a full in-depth review of each for those who want to know more.

The Buying Guide features information on the following models:

  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook
  • MacBook Pro with Retina display
  • MacBook Pro
  • Mac mini
  • iMac
  • iMac with Retina display
  • Mac Pro

Those looking for a one stop shop with everything you need to help decide which Mac you should buy should definitely check out this guide.

Source: “Which Mac should you buy?” by Roman Loyola, published at Macworld.com.

Legal Experts’ Predictions for 2015

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware, Technology 1 Comment
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legal expertsAt the end of each year, experts from all fields make their predictions for the upcoming year. So, what do legal professionals predict for 2015 in the areas of legal technology, law firm business development, and the state of the legal industry?

Frank Strong has published his second annual list of predictions, that includes such legal experts and thought leaders as Lee Rosen, Sam Glover, Heidi Alexander, Rick Georges, and Erik Mazzone. Frank was kind enough to ask me to contribute as well.

So, what did I predict? What do the others think? In general, everyone was much more optimistic than last year. You can read all of the predictions here, including mine:

I believe that 2015 will see attorneys and law firms continue to adopt and utilize web-based software and services at an ever-increasing rate. While the legal industry has historically been slow to adopt new technology, firms that conduct the cost-benefit analysis of these services conclude that it’s almost a “no brainer”.

Source: “25-Plus Predictions for the Legal Industry in 2015” by Frank Strong, published at the LexisNexis | Business of Law Blog.

When Is the Best Time to Buy an Apple Product?

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware Leave a comment
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Do you ever find yourself torn? You love Apple devices, but you also love finding a deal. Have you ever wondered when is the best time to buy an Apple product? Well, you’re in luck, because the bargain-hunters at DealNews analyzed the deal lifecycle of four landmark Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPad mini, and MacBook Air) to see when retailers offer their best discounts, and their findings are contained in the following infographic:


when you buy your favorite Apple device

Source: “When to Buy a Mac or Apple Device: Save Money With Careful Timing” by Louis Ramirez, published at DealNews.

Review of the Transcend Jet Drive Lite

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Guest Posts, Hardware, Product Reviews, Technology Leave a comment
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Transcend Jet Drive LiteOne of the few deficiencies associated with solid state drive equipped Macs is the comparatively small size of internal storage. In an era where 500 GB is the norm and even 1 TB is common, a 256 GB drive is small.

When I bought my 15 inch Mac Book Pro with Retina Display, I rationalized that with iCloud and other cloud storage options the loss of half of my hard drive would be find compensation in the increased speed and reliability of a SSD. To some extent those assumptions were correct. Nonetheless I often found myself managing drive utilization trying to keep at least 10% of the total storage space open.

Transcend provides a solution. For slightly less than $80 and a Jet Drive Lite 350, I have increased my drive space by fifty percent. The Transcend Jet Drive Lite is essentially a High Capacity SD card which installs into one of the existing SD ports on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. 

There are four different model cards, and you should carefully consider the chart before ordering. Each card is tailored for specific machines and is designed to be inserted into the port and lie more of less flush against the case, not sticking out like a normal SD card. The normal card can be spring ejected. This is not so with the Jet Drive Lite. It is very difficult to remove, and since it is in effect a secondary SSD that permanency is a virtue. I have inadvertently “ejected” the card in the Finder only to discover it simply disconnects. The simplest recovery mode is to log out and then log back in and the drive is automatically recognized.

The card comes in a box, with warranty information, and nothing else. The limited lifetime warranty, if you can read it without an electron microscope, is quite good. You should make sure however that your card data on it is being backed up regularly. I use Time Capsule and the setting on  installation excluded the Jet Drive Lite. I think the reason for this is that the drive  appears to your Mac to be no more than a temporary SD card and SD cards are not backed up unless you change your settings.

So having a card and an open port I pressed it in. Since the card doesn’t eject, there is no “click” associated with my effort. However an icon appeared immediately on my desktop, and I knew my MBP was reading the drive.

My first thought was that I would move all my photos and videos to the Transcend Jet Drive Lite 350. Immediately I received a message- “The destination disk is not properly formatted.” Indeed it was not, and that is peculiar. We are looking at a product designed exclusively for newer Apple laptops, and the card was FAT formatted. It takes less than a minute to reformat the card to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Once the disk was reformatted I moved my entire Aperture Library to the Jet Drive Lite . I am a lawyer, not a technician, but it seemed to me that the transfer speed was quite fast, at least as fast as my USB 3.0 flash drive and possibly as fast as a Thunderbolt device. All in all, the Transcend Jet Drive Lite meets a lot of my needs. The price and the huge capacity should justify you giving it a try.

About the Author: G. Ware Cornell, Jr. is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer in Weston, Florida. Ware graduated from Emory University and the University of Georgia School of Law. He served as a federal law clerk in the Southern District of Florida. Ware is AV®-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, a 2014 Super Lawyer in the field of Employment and Labor Law, and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. His interest in computers began in 1984 when he saw a commercial during the Super Bowl. He immediately bought the original 128kb Macintosh. He has reviewed computers, software, and gadgets of all kinds in addition to books as an Amazon top reviewer.

2013 MacBook Air Now Available at Historically Low Prices

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware Leave a comment
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macbook airLast week, Apple updated its current MacBook Air models, which now feature a new processor and better energy efficiency. Even more surprising is the fact that Apple cut the prices of their Airs by $100 across the board, with the 11″ now starting at $899 and the 13″ at $999.

Equally significant is the impact this refresh and price reduction have on the 2013 models, which are still available. DealNews predicts that the previous-generation 11″ MacBook Air will drop to a new all-time low of $750 – and that’s for new, not refurbished units. Seeing as how this model is only 3% slower than the new model, savvy shoppers ought to consider snapping up this bargain.

Source: “Apple MacBook Air Refresh Will Yield Historically Low Prices for the 2013 Model” by Louis Ramirez, published at DealNews.

Apple Launches “Responsible” Recycling Program

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware, Special Offers Leave a comment
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Apple RecyclingBeginning today, Apple will offer “free, responsible recycling” of any of its products at any Apple Store. This initiative is part of Tim Cook’s ambition to “leave the world better than we found it.”

Sure, it’s good for the Earth to reuse and recycle computer components whenever possible, but what’s in it for you? Well, if the product you recycle is found to be reusable, Apple will give you a store gift card for use against new purchases at Apple online and physical stores. If the product can’t be reused, Apple will recycle it at no cost to the user. That’s a pretty good deal all the way around.

Apple also announced that it plans to hold special recycling events where they will accept other companies’ products, though no other details have been released at this point. You can learn more about Apple’s recycling program and its stance on environmental responsibility here.

Source: “Apple Now Recycles Any Product You Give Back (and Gives You Credit)” by Jamie Condliffe, published at Gizmodo.

The Attorney’s Resource for Tech Terms and Acronyms

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Did You Know?, Hardware Leave a comment
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dictionary

Attorneys are generally not most tech-savvy professionals, though we are improving year by year. One obstacle that many lawyers encounter, whether they want to admit it or not, is the huge and ever-increasing number of tech terms and acronyms.

For instance, do you know USB vs. Firewire vs. Lightening vs. Thunderbolt? How about VGA vs. DVI vs. HDMI – and what do all those acronyms mean anyway? Do you plan to network via Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth vs. Bonjour? How does a modem differ from a router or a switch?

Never fear, 20 Computer Terms Every Mac User Should Know by Christopher Breen (part of Macworld’s excellent Mac 101 series) addresses all of these issues and more. It is a great resource for those pesky questions that you just don’t want to ask someone else.

ChargeCard, the Pocket Sized Charging Solution

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware, iPad, iPhone, Product Reviews, Technology 1 Comment
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ChargeCard

There are a few constants in life. If you use mobile devices (iPhones/iPads), you crave more power. The easier and more accessible it is, the better. What if you had a charger that you could carry around in your wallet? Well, now you can.

ChargeCard is a wallet-sized lightning cable that’s the thickness of just two credit cards. As you’d expect, it works just like any “normal” cable for charging/syncing your iPhone or iPad and plugs into any USB port.

I have given the ChargeCard a good workout. Because of it’s compact size and unique design, it takes a little getting used to, but I’m pleased to report that it works as advertised. The ChargeCard is made by Nomad, and retails for $25.00, with free shipping worldwide. It’s guaranteed for life and comes with a 100% money back guarantee. If you’re interested, click here to buy one (or barter for one, seriously).

Macworld’s Best Products of 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Ben Stevens Posted in Hardware, Product Reviews, Software Leave a comment
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EddysThe end of the year means numerous “best of” lists. One of the more prestigious awards is the Macworld Editors’ Choice Award, or Eddy. You can access the entire list here, but these are some selections worth checking out:

  • Adonit Jot Script ($75) is the hottest new stylus on the market. It features a 1.9mm plastic nib with Pixelpoint technology for extra-precise writing. It’s an incredibly impressive pen for writing on your iPad or iPad mini, particularly in Evernote’s Penultimate app.
  • Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 ($495) is simply the best scanner on the market, period. While it may look similar to its predecessors, this version has a faster and more reliable paper-feed mechanism (up to 25 double-sided pages per minute), and its built-in Wi-Fi converts the scans to JPEG or PDF to allow scanning directly to your iPhone or iPad.
  • Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard K811 ($100) pairs with up to three OS X and/or iOS devices simultaneously and lets you switch your active Bluetooth connection between them with a simple key press. It’s smaller and lighter than Apple’s Wireless Keyboard, recharges by USB, and even has motion-activated backlighting for typing in dimly lit environments.
  • Agile Bits 1Password is available in both OS X Mavericks ($50) and iOS ($18) versions. This app offers a great combination of convenience and security. You can easily access or create passwords, either through the app itself, through the Mac menu bar, or in a browser with the 1Password extension, and then sync your data via Dropbox, iCloud, or Wi-Fi – all while savely encrypted.
  • Surtees Studios Bartender ($15) helps you organize the application icons in your menu bar. It places its own icon there, which when clicked gives you a submenu bar filled with the icons you’ve chosen to hide. It is simple to use and does its job without muss or fuss.

Source: Macworld Editors’ Choice Awards: The Best Products of 2013.

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