Futurelawyer

FUZE Card - Your Whole Wallet On One Card

FUZE Card. Call it an electronic credit card. But, this one card can store the electronic data of all your cards, both credit and membership cards. While it can be difficult to figure out how to load all your cards; once you learn, it is easy. And, if, like me, you have 10 or so loyalty and member cards, and a dozen or more credit cards, you know how bulky and heavy they can all be in one wallet. The card is six digit code protected, and can't be turned on without the code. It recharges through a dongle that comes with the device, and I can't wait to try it out. Just turn on and cycle through to the card you want. Then, use it as you would the original card. I feel lighter already.

It's Official - Samsung Has Lost Its Collective Mind

Samsung introduces dual-screen flip phone | Android and Me. Samsung is bringing back the flip phone; but, with a twist. This one has two screens, one inside and one outside, and it costs almost Three Thousand Dollars. In addition to requiring the user to flip open the cover, it is thick, and only has 4.2 inch screens. I submit this phone as Exhibit A to the competency hearing for Samsung execs that is sure to follow. Jeez.

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Google Maps Improvement Day

Google Maps testing crash and speed trap reporting | Android and Me. The acquisition of crowd sourced Waze, known for its realtime reporting by users of speed traps, traffic slowdowns, and accidents, has started to be integrated into Google Maps, making the app much more useful. Now, users are reporting the addition of a small button which allows them to report real time traffic issues. The button, when it appears, occurs during navigation mode, when most of us are following a disembodied computer voice to our destination. Google never stops improving its products. 

A Foldable Phone Display For $1,765? Not.

This is how much the Samsung foldable smartphone might cost. I am all for new tech and gadgets. I buy a lot of them. Some make the cut for daily or occasional use. Some sit in a drawer for years. But, I draw the line at paying almost $2,000 for a 7.3 inch tablet computer that folds down to a 4.3 inch phone. What? Analysts say the final cost for the devices will be around $1,765. If that is true, you can pass on by, Samsung. I have a perfectly functional 6.4 inch screen on my OnePlus 6T, which, after trade in, cost $259. Anybody out there in the market for one of these?

Go Dark - Get Google Dark Mode

Google Dark Mode app roundup: Everything available so far - 9to5Google. If you use a lot of mobile apps, chances are you use traditional white screen with black text pages. It is what we all learned to read on, mimicking white paper with black text. However, on a mobile phone, a white screen uses energy that, over time, can drain a battery faster; so, some developers and users have asked for dark screens with white text. It saves batteries, and Google is now providing "dark mode" options on many of its mobile apps. I find it somewhat disconcerting, however. I have always preferred the look of real print on the page. But, to each his or her own. 

What's In A Name? It's Still About File Management On Android

Files Go becomes Files by Google | Pocketnow. Android has always had a File Manager program for Android devices. However, the application has made many improvements and changes over the years. Changing the name seems to be a pretty common way for developers, including Google, to attempt to differentiate their apps and products; but, it really doesn't matter what you call it, does it? Files By Google, which is what the Android file manager will now be called, is a great way to keep track of, and monitor what is going on in your phone. Deleting and disabling files that clutter up the system memory and the storage is the most important. What's in your phone?

Never Settle -

I love OnePlus' motto: "Never Settle". It goes well with my favorite movie line: "Never Give Up. Never Surrender." I get asked occasionally what my phone home screen looks like. It is the one place where I like to have my options available, so I violate the rule about too many icons on one page. Here is what it looks like today. Since one of my favorite pastimes is changing icons and screen looks often, it may not look like this tomorrow. Of course, at least I have options. iPhone users, you can't do this.

Galaxy X: We Don't Need A Folding Phone; But, We Want One

Galaxy X: Everything we know about the price, specs, release date for Samsung's foldable phone - CNET. It took me a while to write about the new Samsung foldable phone that we won't see until next year. First, I wanted to digest whether I really needed another phone form factor. The gadget geek in me wants one, of course. But, is it an innovation that changes the game? After thinking about it, probably not. First, unfolded the screen is only 7 1/2 inches or so. That isn't enough of an increase to call it a real tablet. Second, when folded, the screen is only 4 1/2 inches which is 2 inches less than my OnePlus 6T. Third, it will be bulky when folded, and I have gotten used to slim and light. What do you think? Do you want a foldable phone?

OnePlus 6T Gets InScreen Fingerprint Scanner - Don't Use It

OnePlus 6T Gets 'Screen Unlock' Improvements With OxygenOS 9.0.5 | Android Headlines. My brand new OnePlus 6T smartphone is the coolest phone on the block. It has the very first in screen fingerprint scanner. It is nice to have new tech that nobody else has; but, caveat, I will never use it. I don't ever plan to be arrested; but, anything can happen. Also, I am a fierce privacy advocate, and I don't believe that anyone or any government has the right to rummage around in my phone data. So, I protect access to it with a pattern or code that only I have in my brain. No Court can order me to testify against myself, and something in my brain is clearly testimonial in nature. My physical attributes, like my eyes or my fingerprints, however, can certainly be compelled. So, if you value your privacy, don't set up fingerprint or facial recognition unlock on your phone. 

Readwise - Making Reading Books Better

Readwise. My friend, Tom Kirkendall, sent me a message about this app for my new Kindle PaperWhite. It will enable me to highlight and save passages from the Ebooks I read, showing one more way that having your entire library in a computing device is the future of reading. This should also be a good way to keep the best passages from legal reading as well. Some legal research apps will allow downloading to the Kindle. Thanks, Tom. Readers, any other Kindle tips? Will you be upgrading to the new waterproof version?