Futurelawyer

Samsung Is A New Kind Of Crazy.

Reserve a Galaxy Fold 3 Before The August 11th reveal. The Headline screams that Samsung must be crazy to require a pre reveal reservation system for the upcoming Galaxy Fold 3. When I read that, it occurred to me that the headline didn't go far enough. It should have read that Samsung must be crazy if they think we are going to pay over $2,000 for a Smartphone just because it folds up. In fact, this is a new kind of crazy. And you all thought the FutureLawyer was crazy because of all the gadgets I buy. There's a new Sheriff in town. Jeez.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Can Manage My Life And My Finances For $35.99 A Year.

Quicken Starter For Windows. When I am traveling, one of the most valuable pieces of software on my computer is Quicken. I can keep daily track of every bank account, and each is updated with the bank's computers, allowing me to see and manage my finances and law practice anytime anywhere. Coupled with modern credit card updates, which send me a text or email with every purchase, I can keep track of everything on a mobile phone or tablet or computer. The data is backed up daily, and I have used it for many years now. Recently, I needed to find a disbursement from my trust account for a closing that I did in 2011. A simple click, click on my Quicken app, and the transaction was recovered. I realize that larger firms require a more complicated system of financial controls; but, Quicken is perfect for the solo. What's in your computer?

Boox Note Air - It's An Eink Pad, It's A Tablet Computer, It's An Android Tablet, It's An EReader.

Onyx Boox Note Air Review. I have had my Note Air for a few days now, and it is a replacement for my Samsung tablet, my Remarkable Eink tablet, my paper calendars, and my Kindle Ereader. I passed on my Remarkable RM2 to Diane, who loves to make lists, and draw. Like the RM2, the Note Air's software is difficult to use, but learnable. It is an Android 6 tablet, so it is slow to respond, and it has an Eink monochrome screen. But, it does a little bit of everything, and is a good replacement for the RM2. It is easy to transfer PDF and Ebook files, and it has a great backlight which makes for a bright reading screen. I will be carrying it around with me and putting the Samsung tablet, the Kindle, and the RM2 elsewhere. Work from home is so passe. Work Form Anywhere (WFA) is the new normal.

It's A Tablet. It's An EInk Device. It's Both!

I love my Samsung Galaxy Tab S5a. It has been a constant companion for several years. There are newer versions; but, I can browse the web, read the newspaper, view videos, and everything I can do on my Smartphone, but on a larger screen. I also love my Remarkable 2, which is what I take notes with all day every day. The RM2 also is a great Ereader, and I can view PDFs, and other text files, and mark them up with the Eink pen. But, if I am willing to settle for a black and white Eink display, the Boox Note Air promises to put both functions in one package. While I don't have to combine the functions of the two devices, I am the FutureLawyer, and, while it's an expensive job, someone has to do it. So, this week I will be taking delivery of the Note Air, and I will report back on how it works in my law practice. I anticipate using it all day in the office to take notes, and when I am out and about to check email, texts, and browse the web, as well as read books and documents, and the newspaper. In the future, every human being will be connected to all of human knowledge all the time. The only differences will be the tech we use to connect. I am having fun on the journey; and, if you aren't having fun in this short life, you shouldn't be doing it. 

#WhyIAmASolo - There Are No Senior Partners To Invade My Space.

Hellish. Execupundit quotes a senior partner who laments that todays' associate spends her time in a bubble, complete with computer, headphones and various tech. He apparently believes that associates should be tech free, like the old days, and available for conversation. Execupundit titles the post: "Hellish", which we must assume that he also believes that the art of conversation with associate attorneys is a dead issue. However, both of them fail to realize that communication with others hasn't gone away; it is just moved to another plane of existence. In and Internet world, conversation is much broader in scope, and occurs via text messaging, email, video conferencing, chat software, and blog posts. I may be old; but, I have been one of these associates in my way of practice for a long time. Our connections are broader than the next office over. They are limitless in their potential. And, they are far more productive. We still take off the headphones and walk down the hall to the water cooler. But, if you want to engage us, put on your headphones, fire up the notebook computer, and start talking.

And Then The Lawyers Spoil It All By Saying Something Stupid Like "Parts May Vary".

Samsung Tried To Get Customers Excited. The new Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is the thinnest, lightest, notebook computer I have ever seen. At 2 pounds, it is as easy as a piece of cardboard to handle with one hand, and has a big, bright 15 inch screen. It is reasonable priced; but, as the author of this article points out, it is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get. Will the Korean company be sending the good stuff to the U.S.? Stay tuned. I have opted in to the Samsung Universe; especially, the new Smart Things ecosystem, which collects all of your Samsung devices in the home or office in one place, and you can control them from your Samsung Smartphone. I recently bought a new TV for the pool deck, and, as soon as I powered it up, my Smartphone came to life, and asked if I wanted to set it up from the phone. Very cool. Check out this short commercial to get a feel for the new Book Pro. I will be buying one, if I can figure out what parts the Samsung lawyers will allow to come to the U.S.

 

Surface Book 3, Or Stay With Surface Book 2?

Microsoft Surface Book 3 Price, Design, Features This review of the latest line of Microsoft 2 in 1 computers, calls the Surface Book design "dated". Excuse me? I have used my Book 2 as my main computer for 3 years now. It is the best computer I have ever owned. It is only "dated" in that the chips, and graphics cards have been updated in the new version. For general business use, this computer (the Book 2) is perfectly capable and should be for some time. As for the design, calling it "dated" is like calling an SUV design "dated". SUVs have been getting lower and sleeker over the years; but, the design (roomy, spacious and efficient) has remained the same. My 2013 SUV is "boxy" looking, compared to newer models; but, I love it, and it is just as efficient as any SUV made in the past few years. We are all of us "dated" when compared to modern versions, and I love the Book series computer design. With the Core i7 chip, a fast SSD, plenty of ports, and long battery life, it goes with me every day, wherever I go. I may upgrade to a Book 3 in a year or two; but, $2,000 is a lot to pay for a new computer when the Book 2 is still going strong. What's in your briefcase?

#WhyIAmASolo - Millennial Lawyers Think Like I Do.

Millennial Lawyers Are Forsaking BigLaw And Going Solo. I read this article with interest, since I have been practicing solo for many years, and for the same reasons millennials are now doing it. A desire to practice law how I want, and according to my personal values. The freedom to practice when and how I want. Technology and its adoption by the young has also made it easier for solos to have a successful law practice. Regardless of your age, however, ask yourself whether your law practice is meeting your personal and philosophical needs, as well as giving you the freedom to live a fulfilled life.

You Can't Practice Law Remotely Without Being Able To Do Legal Research.

How To Set Up A Mobile Hotspot On Android. I have written a lot about mobile computing and being able to practice law away from a fixed location, like an office. I have been doing it for over thirty years. I started out for fun, as it was a way to use my fascination with computing and gadgets for a practical purpose. When the Internet blossomed, I was always looking for a way to connect on the road; in the early days, with connection to a phone line, and, later, with portable modems. When mobile hotspots became available, I carried them with me, and used them for a shared WiFi connection. Public WiFi, as you know, is notoriously insecure, and anyone with basic knowledge can intercept anything you are sending and receiving over the network. Using a dedicated connection is better, and piping through a VPN is the best. But, these days, you don't need to carry a mobile hotspot. You already have one in your SmartPhone. I have additional Smartphone lines for several uses; one of them I carry as an emergency spare. But, TMobile provides unlimited data on its phones, and I can set one up in the RV, or a hotel room, or pretty much anywhere with cell service, and share that data with my notebook computer. Email, legal research, web browsing, and all of the other things we do with computers, I can now do anywhere. We've come a long way, baby.

#ParrotSunday - Never Teach A Cockatoo To Say Fart Around An Amazon Echo.

The combination of Alexa and Cockatoos is a dangerous thing.