Category Archives: iPad

5 Great iOS Apps for Lawyers

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mobile appsAll professionals these days are trying to make work life easier on themselves with the help of technology, attorneys included. The rise of mobile devices and various productivity applications that are available for smartphones and tablets has definitely made some parts of the job easier and more convenient.

Every lawyer who wants to stay ahead of the curve needs to embrace technology and use such tools such as these iOS apps for lawyers to his or her benefit. If you own an iPad or iPhone, you should consider:

Fastcase

The is a must-have for any lawyer. Fastcase gives attorneys access to a huge legal library and research system, right on their mobile device. Its search functions are very fast and accurate and you’ll be able to gain full access to just about any state and federal case through the app. This is great for when you need to look up a case on the fly outside of the office. You can even use it in the court room to get a quick glance at various legal information you might need at any time.

TrialPad

Now this is an application that is specifically made with the working lawyer in mind. It is a tool that helps you to effortlessly organize your case presentations for the courtroom and have them with you at all times. Using TrialPad, you can annotate your case files, create presentations, highlight text, and much more. And best of all, it all fits on your mobile device, allowing you to leave all of the bulky case folders at home. It’s an app that no law firm should be without.

iJuror 

Here is an app that lets you analyze and evaluate your jury in a very in-depth way. It allows you to rank jurors, keep tabs on their responses when being interviewed and produce reports on your findings while interviewing the jury during the selection process. The interface is very user-friendly and allows you to color code information related to various jurors so that you can keep tabs on them very easily.

Dragon Dictation 

If you like to take notes verbally, then this is the perfect app for you. It’s absolutely one of the best dictation apps available that is able for accurate and quick translations of your words into written notes. You will have to spend some time working with the app in order to get it to work as well as possible, because it needs to recognize your speech and get familiar with the way you talk in order to perform at its best. It’s very easy to use and can save you a lot of time when you want to make clear and accurate note of your thoughts in a hurry.

Circus Ponies Notebook

When it comes to note-taking apps for the courtroom, this is probably the most complete one available for iOS users. This app allows you to replace all of your file folders, litigation transcripts and any other cumbersome paperwork with your iPad. It allows you to keep all of your pertinent data organized well and the great search function lets you pull up anything you might need to reference in a matter of seconds.

About the Author: This guest post comes from Archie Ward a recent MBA grad and legal marketer. She has been working lately with the team at Carter Capner on some marketing strategies, as well as discussing some of the best apps for law firms.

iOS Security Flaw Discovered

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ios securityLast Friday, Apple announced a major security flaw in iOS which left iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches vulnerable to a “man in the middle attack.”

As I understand it, this means that if you were using an insecure WiFi connection (at a coffeehouse, hotel, airport, etc.), a hacker could have possibly accessed information that was supposed to be encrypted and which you thought was secure, like credit card numbers.

Apple has issued a patch to fix this iOS security flaw, and if you haven’t already done so, stop what you’re doing right now and download it. To do so, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install.

How to Clean Your (Disgusting) Cell Phones and Tablets

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cleaningWe have all come to rely on our various cell phones and tablets for everything from staying in touch with those we love to giving us directions and keeping track of our grocery lists, not to mention the occasional games we play. Therefore, it’s no wonder that recent studies have shown our devices are well… disgusting!

One study found that at least 23% of viruses are transferred between tablet devices and our hands while another found that one in six cell phones carried traces of – wait for it – fecal matter. Maybe ‘disgusting’ isn’t a strong enough word. So, for all of our fellow germophobes, here are some quick tips for cleaning all of your tablets and smartphones:

Tablets:

  • Do NOT use regular glass cleaner, as it will destroy the protective coating necessary to keep your tablet working properly.
  • Also (and equally important), regular glass cleaner does not disinfect the screen to get rid of the germs.
  • Instead, clean thoroughly on a weekly basis with a specialized screen cleaner, such as the new AM Mist or the Sanus Elements Screen Care Kit.

Cell Phones:

  • The first rule for keeping your cell phone free of germs is STOP using your phone in the bathroom. Studies have shown that every time a toilet is flushed, it sends thousands of polluted droplets into the air. If your phone is exposed during this process, guess where they land – yes, on your phone, which then goes right next to your face when you take that next call.
  • Second, due to the special coatings on the various smartphone screens, you need to be extra careful about using cleaning solutions which will damage the phone and its components. Most manufacturers, including Apple, recommend using a soft, slightly damp (with only water), lint-free cloth to wipe down the entire device.
  • For the true germophobe, you may consider using a UV sanitizer such as one made by VioLight. While a little pricier than cleaning wipes or sprays, it will eliminate the liquid element which is most likely to cause damage to your device. It can also be used on accessories like earbuds and fitness bracelets.
  • Clean your cell phone every 2 to 3 days for best results.

Review of STM’s new Studio Case for iPad Mini

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Studio for iPad miniIf you’re looking for a slim yet super secure and protective design for your new tablet, STM’s Studio case for iPad Mini is definitely the case for you. It’s wrap-around design literally hugs your iPad and with the magnetic closure, you’ll never worry about it opening unexpectedly. It’s also very lightweight considering the all-around protection it offers, and the smooth, slim design makes it easy to slip in your briefcase, purse, or backpack.

All of the device ports, control buttons, and camera are easily accessed, and the magnetic cover folds back to lock into two modes for viewing and for typing. The only downside we could find over the last few weeks of testing this product was if you are a “heavy typer” and put too much pressure on the iPad screen when in the typing position, the magnet sometimes failed and caused the iPad to slide to flat. This movement caused no damage to the iPad or to the case, however.

Currently this sleek looking case only comes in purple and black (we tested the purple and loved the color) and costs $39.99. You can get more information about the Studio or purchase one here.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini

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ultrathin keyboard miniIf you prefer to have your keyboard built into your cover, you should consider the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini from Logitech. It performs double duty, providing a fully functioning wireless Bluetooth keyboard and simultaneously protecting your iPad mini.

Its built-in recessed groove holds the iPad mini at the perfect angle for typing and using the touch screen.  Users with large hands may find the keyboard a bit small, but it should be sufficient for most users.

The form factor of the Ultrathin Cover matches the iPad mini perfectly, and it’s extremely light, weighing less than one-third the weight of the device. It connects securely with magnetic clips, and it wakes the iPad mini when you open the cover and puts it to sleep when you close it – helping to conserve the batter life of both. The keyboard is rechargeable with the included USB cable, and it advertises up to six months of battery life on a full charge.

How to Work With Microsoft Word Files on an iPad

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ms word on ipadLots of attorneys want to be able to work with Microsoft Word (*.doc) files on an iPad, but they don’t know what is available to allow them to do so. There are a number of programs for the iPad that are essentially the equivalent of a mobile version of Microsoft Office.

Randy Singer, one of the deans of Mac legal technology, compiled the following list that he graciously agreed for me to share with my readers. Each of these programs can read, edit, and create MS Office documents on your iPad.

Check them out, and please feel free to leave a comment below to let us know which is your favorite:

Adonit Jot Script – The Mac Lawyer’s Favorite Stylus

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Adonit Jot ScriptAdonit released its Jot Script stylus in late 2012, and it quickly became one of the dominant players in the market, receiving very favorable reviews from famed tech illuminati including Macworld, Engadget, and TUAW.

What makes this stylus truly unique is its utilization of Pixelpoint™ technology to reduce the tip to a mere 1.9 mm, which is 70% smaller than its nearest competitor.

This fine point places the ink point directly under the tip, and its material mimics the drag of a pen on paper, giving you more control and better expression in every stroke. The result is that handwriting feels more natural and you are able to write more precisely. For attorneys, this can mean the difference between your signature looking like it was signed by an adult with pen or a by a child with a crayon.

The Jot Script is made of aluminum and it takes a AAA battery, so it feels like much more like you are you are writing with a “normal” ballpoint pen than using a stylus. It has also been optimized to work with Evernote‘s Penultimate notetaking app (as well as other popular apps) to offer the best note taking experience possible.

If you (like me) have ever been turned off by fat tipped styli, then give the Jot Script a try, and it may change your mind. The Jot Script is my go-to stylus, and I really like it. It’s also worth mentioning that Adonit makes a Jot Tote case, which snaps onto the back of your iPad mini and features a rubber-lined slide grip drawer that securely locks your Jot Script in place when you’re on the go.

Snugg Executive Case Offers Rugged (Yet Professional) Protection for the iPad Mini

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Snugg Executive CaseThese days it seems that if you’ve seen one tablet case, you’ve seen them all. For our Mac-loving family, we tend to push our cases and other accessories to the limits. Our busy travel schedules and six children (who are not always as careful with our electronics as we’d like them to be) quickly take their toll. When Snugg provided us with their latest Executive Case & Flip Stand for the iPad Mini Retina, we were happy to give it a workout.

One of the best things about this case is the super easy installation of the iPad. Some require you to “snap” your device into them, only to then wonder if you’ll ever be able to extract it again. This cover offers an easy “slide in/slide out” option with a surprisingly secure velcro tab underneath, which prevents sliding or much movement at all once wrapped around under the device. This, along with the durable, yet very soft leather, virtually eliminates any concern about inadvertent scratching or scuffing on the device glass or back cover.

The integrated stylus loop is perfectly sized for the typical stylus, and it’s designed to keep your stylus handy at all time, but out of the way. The inside cover is designed for the busy professional, with a soft, but durable hand strap for holding the iPad during meetings or presentations. It also features several small pockets for keeping your notes or extra business cards handy.

The only ‘con’ we could find was the stand holder on the back of the case. It is made of the same leather as the case and is supposed to hold the case in two angled positions – one for typing and the other for watching videos or conducting FaceTime calls, etc. We found that it took a while to break it in so that it would hold the case in the right position without popping out but once it was fully broken in, it seemed to work okay. However, since it is made entirely of leather, it’s not quite as sturdy as some of the other stands we have tested. This case retails for $39.99 and is available in an amazing array of 14 colors, so there’s one to please everyone. You can learn more or order one by clicking here.

ChargeCard, the Pocket Sized Charging Solution

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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).

iOS 7 Allows Super Fast Redemption of iTunes Gift Cards

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itunes gift cardsIt’s a pretty safe bet that lots of gift cards were given yesterday – especially iTunes cards. They are the perfect gift for children, for adults, for readers, for music lovers, for the gamer or the movie buff. And now Apple iOS 7 offers the easiest way to redeem all your iTunes gift cards in less than a second.

 

Simply scratch or peel off the foil to reveal your card number. Go to the iTunes Store App on your iOS7 device, scroll to the very bottom, and click “Redeem”. Then, simply point your camera at the code on the card, and presto!, your iTunes account is instantly updated to reflect the card balance. It’s that easy.