Start Page: Use Focus modes to focus on what’s most important
Here’s how to set up Apple Focus modes that can help avoid that situation.
Seth Wilson
Articles
Start Page: This year’s Apple iPhone and iPad updates
Apple recently released its newest mobile hardware (iPhones and iPads) and software (iOS 15 and iPadOS). iPhones are at version 13 in both base and Pro models. The “new” iPads include a new base model and mini model. There’s also a new Apple Watch.
Wilson: Do you like to share your network? Amazon and Apple do
Everything electronic now seems to need an internet connection to operate appropriately. This begs the question: What are the manufacturers and service providers doing with all of those connected devices and information?
Start Page: Digital evidence pilot program clears preflight checklist
The Hamilton County courts have been piloting, in select family law cases, a program for the online submission of trial exhibits through a website called CaseLines, part of Thomson Reuters. Attorneys and their teams can log in to a website, upload their digital exhibits for a hearing and the participants have access to those files for the hearing. The website is one place where the exhibits are stored and all participants can access at the hearing.
Start Page: Reduce cost of smartphone ownership: Limit interruptions
Over the next few articles, I will share some thoughts on setting your devices up for a “palm practice” (practicing law from the palm of your hand). Most lawyers now have smartphones or devices with us every day. But, with great power comes great responsibility. While these tools are helpful, they can also increase the sense that we should always be working on something.
Start Page: Apple M1 plus Big Sur equal big changes for computers
Apple recently updated its operating systems for Mac and iOS (iPhone and iPad). Apple also announced a new line of computers built with its own processors. While this development is largely under the hood, these new chips represent some new potential for computing.
Start Page: IPad OS update gives you permission to Scribble
For a long time, I’ve wanted a legal pad app for my iPad that could reliably turn my handwriting into text. The iPad and Apple Pencil should do this well, but there was too much friction in getting the text to be recognized and usable. That’s all changed with the latest iPad OS update. Apple gives users Scribble — the ability to hand-write in any field on the iPad and the iPad will turn handwriting into text, almost instantly. This is a serious tool.
Start Page: Using Microsoft Teams for mediation
Personal and work lives have changed drastically in 2020, and we are only halfway through the year! If nothing else, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how flexible and resilient we need to and can be. It has also reminded us of how “essential” legal services are. What do you do when you are deemed “essential” during a global pandemic? You get creative.
Start Page: What happens when we get a virus instead of our computers?
It’s become known as the virus. With all of the precautions, shutdowns, quarantines, etc., it would be a wise move to have a contingency plan in place if your work or life becomes affected by the virus. Here are some ideas to consider if you will need to be away from the office for an extended period of time.
Start Page: Want a fresh perspective in 2020? Try changing your Outlook
Many lawyers are already familiar with Outlook on their desktop computer and have it set up to help them manage their emails. The problem is that emails come in at all times of the day (and night), and having a device that is connected outside of the office means you are constantly connected to email. There are times when that is a good and necessary thing, but there are other times when it interferes with what you are trying to get done. So, what do you do to keep email under control? Change your perspective by using a different version of Outlook.
Start Page: Take a hands-off approach: Control iPhone with your voice
Recently, Apple released the latest version of its iPhone operating system, iOS 13 (iPad software is coming soon). Each year, the software gets better when it comes to entering text, which is the key to getting stuff done on your phone. Apple does not disappoint with iOS 13, offering two features that have been around for a while, but continue to get better: Voice Control and swipe keyboard (QuickPath).
Start Page: Carry your files; I’ll carry my iPad, Apple Pencil
This article will focus on using the iPad to manage, review and annotate PDF files using your iPad and Apple Pencil.
Start Page: Living the iPad lifestyle — Trade in legal pad, pen
Recent iPad software developments represent an opportunity for doing “real” work on the iPad, making it an integral part of a lawyer’s workflow.
Start Page: Using Screen Time to harness, control the power of your iPhone
Who among us has not opened our favorite social media application, only to find that 20 (or more) minutes later, we are wondering where the time went? There’s an app for that.
Start Page: Text expanded — typing less but getting more
Text expansion tools can help with speed and accuracy of text entry, especially in those moments when you don’t want to or can’t voice dictate.
Start Page: Untangle your many logins with a password manager
Christmas is just around the corner. You finally have a couple of days off to binge watch that Netflix show you’ve been hearing about, only to be asked to enter your password. You fiddle with the remote to type in the password in vain. So much for goodwill toward men. Thankfully, there’s a solution to this challenge: a software-based password manager.
Start Page: Use automation to harness benefits of modern technology
Why is there so much talk about automation in the practice of law these days? Almost every legal technology source extols the benefits of automation. There must be a reason, right? Yes. Automation of routine tasks can benefit your practice in multiple ways.
Start Page: A deeper dive into using tech tools to turn talk into text
If you have ever tried talking to your computer, it feels a little strange (and may get you a few strange looks from colleagues).
Start Page: Tech tools to turn talk into transcribed text
You can use a voice recorder or iPhone to capture your thoughts and plan future actions. Over the next few articles, I want to share some thoughts on modern dictation — turning your thoughts into text using technology.
Start Page: How I pre-bill my time to get the right things done each week
In the book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey talks about the principle of beginning with the end of your life in mind. I suggest a smaller version of the concept. Ask yourself each week, “what do I want/need to accomplish this week?” Write down the items. As you look at the list, think of how you would bill your client for accomplishing that task.