Futurelawyer

Do You Feel Lucky, Punk?

Google has officially retired Instant Search. Apologies to Clint Eastwood. But, when Google debuted Instant Search seven years ago, it was touted as the do you feel lucky search. If you used instant search the results would default to the first result Google found, and you didn't have to click on the result. It turns out that nobody used the tool, because Google search is almost instantaneous anyway, and we like to choose our result. Often, the best result is down the list, and we learn by reading all the other results. So, lucky or not, you will have to spend a few seconds choosing your search results, since Instant Search is going away. Poor baby. You will have to work a little harder. 

Ads That Will Never Run Again.

Google Saves Screenshots Of Your Android Searches

Google app takes screenshot of your searches on Android - gHacks Tech News. Call me paranoid; but, I don't like the fact that Google saves screen shots of all my search results. I am a curious soul, and I search for all sorts of things. Privacy may be dead; but, I don't particularly want my search results saved for posterity. Sure, going back to a recent search result can save some time, if you were looking for an address or phone number and need it later; but, on balance, I have turned off the feature. Creepy. Read this article to find out how. 

Google Photoscan - Why Aren't You Using It?

This image of my family around 1955 was laminated onto a wood base by my sister some years ago, and has been sitting on the shelf in my home office for a long time. In about 45 seconds, I used Google Photo Scan to scan and enhance the image, and the result appears below. If you have old, fading images you want to preserve, it only takes a little time and effort, and they will be preserved forever. In case you are wondering, I am the good looking kid in the photo.

PhotoScan - Google Digital Image Scanner

PhotoScan %u2013 scanner by Google Photos. There are plenty of document scanning apps available for the modern Smartphone that have edge correction, enhancement algorithms, and which create usable, searchable pdfs. However, Google has a free photo scanner app that will do the same thing for your vintage photos. Old images come to life, and you don't have to pay for the results. The perfect complement to Google Photos, this little app needs to be used by everyone. Now, pull out the shoeboxes of old photos, and get scanning. 

Google Glass Returns And It Isn't A Toy Anymore

Google Glass returns with its sights set on enterprise customers. When Google Glass first launched, it was intended to be a way for consumers to walk around with a computer on their head, with a camera to record what the user saw. Creepy, yes. Compelling, no. They immediately met with "not in my backyard" rules from everyone from your neighbor to your local bar. Glass is back, however, and it is for business and the enterprise now. How about an application that permits Doctors to take notes and get information while talking to patients? Or, used by DHL employees to know immediately where a package needs to be. Or, in just about any industrial or retail environment? The possible increases in productivity are endless. Meet Google Glass, Enterprise Edition, and it is a safe bet that applications will be built for many industries. Welcome to the future. 

Security Awareness Tip - Is Your Mobile Phone Secure?

Security Awareness Tip of The Day: Secure Your Mobile Device %u2013 PRI. The Florida Bar Practice Resource Institute is a must have benefit for Florida Bar members. It should be reviewed by Florida lawyers on a daily basis. (Along with FutureLawyer, of course :-)). Today's tip deals with the weak link in lawyer data security, the mobile phone. Easy to steal, mobile and portable, every lawyer should take every precaution available to secure the data. Be careful out there.

Hololens 2 - Mixed Reality And Artificial Intelligence In A Headset

Microsoft%u2019s second-generation HoloLens will include a dedicated AI coprocessor | TechCrunch. On board intelligence will make the next generation Hololens more autonomous, and will be the next step in an Augumented Reality future. Faster processing, independence from a WiFi connection to the Internet, and greater mobility (look ma, no wires!) means that intelligent mixed reality devices are in your future. Bringing augmented reality to a real view of the world and your surroundings is much more useful than transporting yourself into a Virtual Reality that bears no resemblance to the real life you are living. And, you can do real work with AR, rather than merely escape from your reality. The Stoic in me thinks it is far more philosophical to work with the reality we have, than to try to create a false reality. What do you think?

Wisconsin Company Offers Employees Implantable Microchips

A Wisconsin company will let employees use microchip implants to buy snacks and open doors - The Verge. We are your employer, and we want to implant a microchip in your hand. Does this sound like we are from your Government, and we are here to help you? I used to think that I wanted a microchip computer in my head; but, I am rethinking. Even though this experiment is "optional", are employees who want to keep their jobs really capable of making a truly voluntary choice? Even though the NFC chips are to be used to open doors, security checks, and buying snacks at the company canteen, can they be modified to do other things? Sounds like a slippery slope to me. Of course, many people would accept these chips if they sped up the lines at the airport. How about chips that identified lawyers, staff, and court personnel at courthouses? 

WhatsApp, Signal, & Telegram - You Need Encrypted Messaging

WhatsApp, Signal, & Telegram Encrypted Apps - Which Is Better?. Lawyers who have confidential client data on their phones should be using a secure messaging system. I use Signal, which works both as a normal messaging app and a secure app for connections who also use signal. If you are texting clients, and discussing legal matters with them, you should encourage them to use Signal. I am not as familiar with the other secure apps, so your results may vary. What do you use for secure communications?