Futurelawyer

Fragmentation? What Fragmentation?

Google updating Android without updating Android is the biggest news out of I/O 2013 | Android and Me. The biggest announcements at Google I/O this year were not really announcements at all. A host of changes to the Android operating system for phones and tablets and hybrid devices were designed to improve the user experience, and to make all mobile Android devices' core services work the same for everyone. The best way to get the flavor of the changes is to read this article, and to work with the OS on your own device. Android just keeps getting better and better. Google Now has become a much more full featured intelligent friend that anticipates what information you will need. It has fully leveraged Google's vast superiority in search engine technology. 

No Delete Key? No Problem

The lack of a delete key makes the Chromebook a disappointment | Techi.com. As computer buyers are finding out, a Chromebook can be a very useful tool for the computing lawyer or professional. While the author berates the Chrome Pixel for the lack of a delete key (please), I am typing this post on a $199 Chromebook by Acer that has a 320 Gigabyte hard drive, and on which I have installed, and am using Chrubuntu, which is all I need when traveling. If I want to run Windows software, which I need to do often for document creation and processing, I just power up TeamViewer, and I am running my notebook machine from the web. I thought about installing WINE, and running Windows natively; but, then I asked myself, WHY? If I am carrying the little 3 pound netbook around, I just leave my notebook connected at home or the office. Click, click, and I am looking at a miniature version of my Windows desktop. And, the Acer Chromebook has a Delete key. 

HTC One - Coming To Verizon?

Verizon HTC One: 5 Things to Know. The HTC One is a beautiful phone. It has two front facing speakers and Beats audio, and it has a one piece thin, light, all aluminum body. And, it is coming to Verizon later this month. The screen is smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, at 4.7 inches; but, it is a brighter, ultra pixel screen that will compete with the new Samsung Galaxy S4. I am still staying with the Note 2, however, because HTC has the worst upgrade record of any phone manufacturer, and, when combined with Verizon, which has the worst upgrade record of any carrier, you have the perfect storm of unhappy user experience over the next couple of years. These days, a new and better phone experience comes around every couple of years, so you will be living with the device you choose for a while. The HTC Thunderbolt was groundbreaking when it came out, being one of the first 4G LTE phones; but, it didn't get upgraded until two years after most users had moved on to other phones. I never forgot, HTC, and I will never trust you again. I hope HTC has changed its ways. They now have a super phone. Let's see what they do with it.

Ubuntu For The Law Office? Sorry, I'm A PC

Highly Recommended: Ubuntu for business. This small business man challenged himself to use Ubuntu in his business for a week, and found that he could duplicate his business functions very well. Unfortunately, many legal specific applications that I use every day are Windows only, so this wouldn't work for me. I do use Ubuntu on my ChromeBook for all the things I do on the web, which is about 80% of what I need to practice law. However, there are some important document assembly, data access, scanning, and other applications that are Windows only, and which I have been using for years. I have the same result when it is suggested that I am uncool because I don't switch to Apple's Mac OS. Please. I am going to replace and retrain on dozens of applications that work just fine, so that I can be a cool Mac user? I don't think so. I hate to revisit the PC versus Mac debate; but, guys and gals, it is all about the applications and software. And please don't tell me I can run the Windows software in a partition or dual boot. That adds unnecessary complication to a simple process. So, sorry, Ubuntu and Apple, I am a PC.

Do You Know What WebP Is?

Google cuts network usage by terabytes by switching to WebP | Webware - CNET. Of course you don't. However, every PNG image you upload to Google + and some other websites is now being converted to a compressed WebP file, which you don't notice, but which saves Terabytes of network storage space, and saves everyone money. Now that we are paying for mobile data on a metered basis, the size of our uploads becomes a dollars and cents issue. Even Facebook is looking at the new standard. Expect more image software to include the WebP option in the future. Now, get back to clogging the Internet with photos of your children and food.

You Won't Carry This In Your Briefcase.

This new Lenovo tablet is 27 inches and costs $1700. Ouch. Gives new meaning to mobile computing.

So Many Apps - So Little Time

Fresh Meat: 10 new Android apps worth checking out | Android and Me. Here are 10 new Android apps to check out. The most interesting to me is Contactive, which promises to be Caller ID on Steroids. And, after seeing the new Star Trek movie last night, I might check out the Episode Guide. Also, the WeatherSignal app threatens to make your smart phone into a full blown weather station. There really isn't time to try them all, is there?

Google Is Making Search For The Future

Google has 'lapped Siri' with sci-fi-like search - Computerworld. Google has always been the king of search. Now, the biggest announcement yesterday may be what is to come. How about a futuristic conversation with your phone or computer, and a real thinking computer talking to you about your questions? Google Now is already better than anything else out there, and I already talk to it about my day. It either answers me immediately with relevant information, or points me to websites with the answers I need. It even anticipates my questions. I wanted to go to Castillo De San Marcos in St. Augustine this afternoon, and, before I could even ask, Google Now gave me a list of nearby destinations in St. Augustine. How Google Now knew that I was interested is a matter of keeping up with my location, searching, and travel. Amazing.

Google Play Books - Store Your Stuff In The Google Cloud

Google Play Books enables user uploads of e-books, documents | Internet & Media - CNET News. One of the things I love about Google Music is that I can upload my music to the Cloud, and access it from any device. Yesterday, Google announced the upgrade of Google Play Books to do the same thing with up to 1,000 books and documents. Now, my classics don't have to be loaded on to each device. They will be available wherever I am. The future is in the cloud.

Will You Pay $9.99 A Month For Google Streaming Music?

UPDATE 4-Google launches streaming music service ahead of Apple | Reuters. I didn't think so. When Pandora has 700 million users, and charges only $3.99 a month, why pay Google? Of course, Google gives away most of its services; but, they have to pay the performers, so some charge is necessary. However, Pandora is king of this hill, and they aren't going away. Sorry, Google, I will have to pass. I love Pandora, and it is playing at my office all day long.