Futurelawyer

Samsung Tab S5e 4G LTE - Sometimes, The Old Tech Is Better Than The New Tech.

Tab S5e - The Lightest And Thinnest Tablet Ever. I am known, if for anything, as being an early adopter of tech. I own just about every tech gadget that has been introduced in the last 30 years of the computer and Internet revolution. I have purchased, and used, if only for a little while, over 40 Smartwatches, dozens of Smartphones, and many tablets and notebook computers. So, when I say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, with 4G LTE connectivity, has been in my bag or carried on my person for two years, I must like it a lot. At 400 grams (.88 pounds), it is thin and light, and I bring it out whenever we travel, or go to a restaurant, or a Doctor's office, or anywhere that a notebook computer (even a 3 pound ultralight) would be too much. Believe it or not, while you really will see a difference in the performance of the new 5G phones, and a 5G Hotspot has enough speed for several computers for the family when you travel, a tablet used for browsing the web, perusing social media, reading EBooks and newspapers, and Email and other stuff, works just fine at 4G LTE. The newer tablets, right on up to the current crop of 5G Tab S7s, weigh 1.3 pounds, and are bulkier. Half a pound makes a big difference when you are carrying a tablet around. The world renowned Samsung screens on the older tablets like the S5e are brilliant and the color pops. You can still buy the S5e, for less than $400 in some places. The new, heavier, tablets start at $700 and up. As much tech as I have purchased in the past 30 years, lighter and thinner is always better. Your tablet or other computer can't be too thin or too light. The best part is that, unlike body weight, you can shave the pounds off of your tech instantaneously. Just buy smart.

Rick's Newsletter - Law, Technology, Poetry, Computers, And Fun.

Upgrading to Generation 2 Bose Smartglasses.

Bose Tenor Smartglasses. While I still wear my Bose Alto Wayfarer style smartglasses every day, I am ordering a pair of Tenor glasses. They have 2d generation Bose tech, and provide more wireless functionality as well as splash water resistance. For less than a pair of designer glasses at the local optician, (around $400), I will get the lighter, more classic rectangular style Tenor glasses, and still have the far superior Bose sound. Now, I will have options; but, for daily use, I will likely wear the Tenors every day. Are you still putting earbuds inside your ear canal? Isn't that annoying?

Galaxy Note 10+ 5G - After Two Years, It Is Still The Best Smartphone I Have Ever Used.

You all know me. So, you know how unusual it is for the FutureLawyer to be using a piece of tech for over two years, without longing for the new version. Today, I must tell you that my Galaxy Note 10+ is still my constant companion, and I will likely use it for another two years. This is a strange feeling for me, as I am usually lusting after a new phone about 20 minutes after I set up my current phone. You can buy one for around $400 right now, refurbished, and you should really consider it. This July review takes a look at the phone, and should explain why I am still holding on to mine. In fact, I have two of them, as I upgraded to the 5G version shortly after I bought mine. 

Legal Research - Thinking, And Searching, Outside The Box.

Ernie Svenson's Law Firm Autopilot is a great resource for lawyers who want to improve the function of their law office. Ernie is always thinking about solutions to making the law office better. This little video is an example of "out of the box" thinking that can make our lives, and lawyers, easier and more efficient. Legal research is not just about searching for cases and statutes. It is about the whole panoply of human knowledge, and searching for people and ways that others have already dealt with a current problem; whether it be office management, software, or hardware related. In this case, Ernie talks about going beyond the default "search in Google" strategy. What about other media where millions of people connect? I would go even further, and suggest checking MeWe, Twitter, and other social media sites. Where are you going for your next problem? 

#TBT - Tech Evolving Into Smaller And Smaller Devices.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Need Data Analytics To Run My Practice.

I see a lot of legal tech software developers and entrepreneurs touting data analytics software to help decision making in the practice of law. Collecting this data and then using it to make decisions about your law practice seems to have accelerated with cloud computing. In the words of the late Carl Sagan, there are "billions and billions" of data out there begging to be collated, organized, collected and simplified into usable chunks, and easier to apply to the practice of law. However, as a solo, I have no need for all this data. I make decisions in a far simpler, and, in my view, more intelligent way. I live in the present, and make decisions based upon the data in front of me. If a decision turns out to be wrong or ill advised, I am in a unique position to pivot, and change things. Why? Because I make all the decisions. Who runs your practice?

Rolex Users...What's On Your Wrist?

Best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Apps. I don't want to beat a dead horse; but, other than impressing me with how much money you are willing to spend to tell other people how much money you are willing to spend on a wrist ornament, why would anyone pay thousands of dollars for a brain dead appliance that only tells the time and date? Educate me please. Then, take a look at the very nice looking wrist computer called the Galaxy Watch 4. Then, take a look at the applications that can be downloaded and used on the Watch 4. My faves, other than the extensive collection of medical apps that rival anything the tricorder could do on StarTrek, are the information apps: Google maps on your wrist. Google Keep, which has all sorts of essential information that I need to get through the day. My calendar, alarms, music, calculator, weather, news, and much more. Oh, and it can make and receive phone calls, email, texts, and post on Facebook. Cost? Around $400 plus $10 a month for the phone service. It operates separately from your phone, if you want, and gently vibrates on your wrist when something deserves your attention. I don't wear it to bed; but, if I needed to track my sleep patterns for a medical reason, I could. I do wear it in the Gulf of Mexico, the backyard pool, and just rinse it off when I am done. What's on your wrist?

Malwarebytes - One Back To School Sale Not To Be Missed.

Back To School Cyberprotection. Protection of kids going back to school from the Pandemic is on the minds of all Americans this month. However, protection against viruses isn't only biological. The computers on which our society rely are subject to attack from real evildoers, and viruses, ransomware attacks, and other assaults on our privacy. IMHO, the best of the best protection comes from putting Malwarebytes between your computer and the Internet. I never connect to the Internet without my computer having a copy of Malwarebytes installed and running. It is the best $40 I spend on my computer each year. I also install it on Diane's computer, and it greatly reduces the time I have to spend fixing problems. There are many other strategies available for computer safety, including, but not limited to, using VPNs (virtual private networks) and two factor authentication when visiting websites; but, the first, and foremost protection you can give your system, is a competent anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-ransomware, and anti-web intrusion software application. Malwarebytes is on sale for $23.99 for the first year now, and, if you want the best, I recommend it highly. They don't pay me to say that. Be careful out there.

FutureLawyer Breathes A Sigh Of Relief As He Reviews One UI Watch.

Galaxy Watch 4 One UI Watch. I admit that I was a little worried about the coming Galaxy Watch 4. I have grown to love the Galaxy watch line, and the Tizen OS. It is intuitive, easy to use, and very efficient. I am happy that Samsung has kept the Tizen OS look and feel on top of adding Wear OS to its watches. In fact, Galaxy Wear isn't even visible, as the Tizen icons and commands are virtually identical to the Watch 3. Thanks, Samsung and Google, for recognizing that the Tizen interface was superior to the original Wear OS.