Futurelawyer

I Have Seen The Future And It Wraps Around My Wrist

We tried out a flexible LCD bracelet, and it was the geekiest thing ever. This prototype bracelet shows the flexibility of the coming flexible screens. This technology will revolutionize the wearable and mobile tech market, and fixed screens will become a thing of the past. These screens can be adapted to any environment, and operate by touch just like hard screens of today. Geeky looking now; but, in the future, these things will be standard wear. Get over it.

Artificial Intelligence - Different Than The Real Thing?

Cognitive technologies in the technology sector | Deloitte University Press. I don't like the term "AI". It implies that cognitive technologies can ever match what goes on in a human brain. Even the term "cognitive technologies" misses something. It should be "cognitive assistance technologies".  Of course, as we learn more about brain function, it is possible to mimic human data analysis and decision making. However, many professions, including law, require decisions based in emotion, empathy, and other human attributes that can never be duplicated. So, let's banish AI from our vocabularies, and adopt cognitive technologies for the use of computers and tech to mimic data analysis. Then, let's let human beings analyze the analysis and make the decisions. Let lawyers be lawyers, and robots be computers. Cognitive technologies should serve human beings and not the other way around. Now, go make some decisions.

I Love Happy Endings

Never get a massage from a StarWars fan:

'Would you like a happy ending?' she asked, rubbing the hot oil deep into his skin.

'Oh yes!' he replied.

'OK,' she said. 'Han Solo lives.'

Don't Let Your Battery Drain And Ruin Your Day

Tips and Myths About Extending Smartphone Battery Life - The New York Times. Now that the phone manufacturers have opted to deny me a removable battery, I have joined the great unwashed who worry about losing battery capacity during a long day. Usually I carried a spare battery with me when I planned to be out all day and all night without charger access. Now, I have to carry an external power pack, which is heavier. But, it gets the job done, and I can plug it in while having dinner at whatever venue I find myself while out and about. However, there are ways to extend battery life by adjusting how we use our devices. This article is a pretty good summary of them. 

Robot's Revenge - What Happens When We Arm The Robots?

There are already groups and organizations mobilizing against using robots in warfare. However, like all human progress before it, trying to stop the advance of thinking machines is a fool's errand. Far better to exercise control over their development. We lawyers tend to concentrate on how AI can enhance human intelligence and make our decisions better. However, the military cares more about using robots in situations that are dangerous, or using them to take out opposing armies. Boston Dynamics is teaching its robots to resist humans who abuse them. What happens when weapons systems are placed in indestructible machines? It is unlikely that Terminator will come to fruition in our lifetimes. However, it would be foolish not to consider what will happen in the distant future. Development of robotics is inevitable. Get over it.

Samsung Gear S2 Classic - Classic Looks With A Phone Chip

Samsung Gear S2 Classic will be available for preorder Feb. 23. I pre-ordered the new Classic 3G watch this morning, and am looking forward to choosing my own bands for it. It has the look of a classic watch; but, can make and take phone calls as well as get email, texts, and so forth. For those who have asked me why I need a watch phone, I dropped my phone in the rain this morning at the tire store, and was half way back to the office when the store called me to tell me. It saved my a half hour of driving to get the forwarded call on my watch. Unfortunately, the phone was broken, so I will be using my Note 5. I will miss the Nexus 6; but, the Note 5 is a great phone. Now, I am anxious to get the new watch in March. I will review it for you when it arrives.

Too Busy To Blog? Then, Don't!

Psst ... wanna buy some blog content?. The lawyers who buy content for their blogs have bigger problems than the ethical question of passing someone else's work off as their own. This reminds me of my early days of practice when I was told that I shouldn't be typing. You are too busy to type. Get dictation equipment and let someone else do the typing. So, I spent a lot of money talking to a machine that sent my words to a dictation station and my secretary spent her days trying to transcribe my words. Then, I spent hours editing and reviewing her work, and sending back corrections, after which she did it all over again. When computers made the process digital, I wasted no time cutting out the middle man, and started creating my own content. This saved much secretary time, that she spent doing more productive work. If you are too busy to blog, you shouldn't be doing it. If you think that you can create relationships with someone else's words, you are sadly mistaken. Your content must by yours. It must show your passion. It must expose your soul. Otherwise, you are lying to yourself and to your readers. 

Have You Backed Up Your Files Today?

It is time again for some preaching. Back up your files. Do it now. Do it today. If you don't have backup media, go to Amazon and buy a Crucial 480 GB SSD drive and a USB connector. This one cost $129.95 and the connecting cable was $14.95. It is permanently plugged in to a USB port in my office setup and I have another one plugged in at home. Every day, sometime during the day, I run Acronis TrueImage software ($29.95), and back up my entire drive. From USB 3.0 to SSD it takes about 15 minutes, and works in the background. Then, sometimes, at home, I do the same with my other Crucial SSD. You no longer have an excuse not to back up. To my family and friends, whose computers are regularly given to me to fix when you get spyware and viruses. Not even the FutureLawyer can save your files from a drive crash or other disaster. You might find a data company that can save some of it for thousands of dollars. So, save yourself and the FutureLawyer some grief and BACK UP. Do it now. Do it today.

FutureLawyer Gets A New Smartwatch/Phone

Finally, there is a full featured Smartwatch that is also a phone. Here is a photo. I know, it looks a little geeky; but, it has a 6 inch screen, a fast processor, makes and takes phone calls, and runs Android Marshmallow. And, you don't have to pay extra; except for the case and arm strap from Supcase. Okay, I fibbed. This is just my Nexus 6 in a Supcase arm strap and case. It is designed for walkers and runners. Don't want to carry your phone on your belt or in a pocket? Want it to be available all the time? Supcase has one designed for your phone.

Why I Am A Solo - I Get To Keep Working

For many lawyers, retirement plan is to keep working. A dip in the stock market is not a reason for lawyers to keep working past retirement age. There are plenty of reasons why this may be a good idea. First, some of us have invested our money in other people, and not in the market. Second, the best way to live longer is to keep the brain active. Third, while there are days when I hate going to work, they are greatly outnumbered by the days when I am happy about it. Finally, as a solo, nobody is going to tell me I am too old to practice. When the clients stop needing me, I will probably still go to the office. I can always spend more time playing with the birds.