Futurelawyer

Yes, Virginia, There Is A New Version Of Android Coming...Android 14.

Samsung Galaxy Android 14 - Install Or Not. It seems like yesterday that the highlight of my week was a new version of my mobile phone software. I remember Android 3, 4, 5 etc. They all had cute candy names like "Ice Cream". Every new version expanded the speed, smoothness, and feature set. Lately, however, I have eschewed the early adopter label, and am keeping my phones for a couple of years. Currently, I still use, as my daily driver, the Samsung Galaxy S21, which is everything I need in a Smartphone. So, I am not as concerned that my older phone doesn't get the new OS versions until later in the cycle. I suppose that is my maturity talking; but, it is more likely that the whole personal computing device industry is maturing. Advances these days are incremental, and, unless you spend 23 out of every 24 hours playing with your phone (you know, like have a job), you really don't need the latest and greatest. In the market? Get a 2 year old phone, save 50% on the original retail price, and geek out.

 

AudioPen - This Is Not Your Father's Dictation System.

AudioPen. As soon as Chat GPT hit the streets late last year, I, and a few million of my friends, were excited to see where Generative AI could take us as professionals, with an emphasis on my profession of law. While others worried about AI research supplanting humans, I saw immediately that any new computer tool could be used to "enhance", and not to replace, humans in any given job. As AI matures, it is interesting to see how my fellow humans, and lawyers in particular, are going to be using the power of machines that are smarter, in some ways, than humans. They are certainly magnitudes faster than humans. Recently, I discovered a new application, AudioPen, that applies AI to random notes and dictation spoken by a human into a microphone, analyzes it, and turns it into readable, publishable text. At least, that is the plan. 

Well, I just spent a couple of minutes dictating random thoughts into the AudioPen app, and, in less than a minute, the application came up with this:

"Today, I'm trying out a new app called AudioPen. It uses smart AI to help write notes. You can use it with Chrome or on its own. This app is special because it can turn spoken words into clear written text. Generative AI has even been used to write books! AudioPen goes that one better.

AudioPen takes what you say and turns it into something you can share with others. This saves time because you don't have to edit your words as much. I used to pay $15 a month for another app, but I didn't use it much because the text needed lots of editing.

Now, I've talked for 2 and a half minutes about AudioPen. I'll let the app check my words and see what happens."

Pretty amazing. In the old days, I can remember driving home from a deposition, and speaking random notes into a portable tape recorder. When I got back to the office, I would give the microcassette to my secretary, and she would transcribe my notes into a paper transcript, which I would use to refresh my memory later. We all thought that was just the best thing ever. Now, I can see using AudioPen to draft memoranda, pleadings, correspondence, and just about anything a lawyer might need to get through the day. Generative AI will not replace lawyers. It just might, however, make us faster and better at what we do.

Google Search? You Don't Know Google Search.

You Don't Know Google Search. With all the talk of AI and generative AI supplanting the traditional search engines, you would think that Google search, long the best in the business, was getting ready to fall by the wayside. Not so fast, Lone Ranger. Google's engineers are as busy as ever, and you can bet that they are preparing to supercharge the Google search engine with AI abilities. Remember, Google was the first to demo a conversational bot that could make restaurant reservations, and other cool stuff. But, until the Apocalypse is proven to be over hyped, try some of the cooler Google search abilities that you don't know about. You can hum a tune, and Google will recognize it. You can test out some of the secret Easter eggs in the engine. You can combine text and image searches and more. Use your existing tools before you abandon the baby for the bath water. Google on.

#TBT - In 1993 WordPerfect Was The Only Word Processor Worth Using...But, It Took 13 Floppies To Install.

O Ye Of Little Faith - The Kindle Scribe Is Already Getting Updates.

I got an email this morning from Amazon, highlighting the first updates to the Kindle Scribe. Naysayers have been complaining that the note taking features were not as robust as the other EInk pads out there; but, the combination of basic note taking with the Kindle library made me and others buy it. Well, Amazon is already upgrading the note functions, and the first update is available already. The email this morning said the following:

Your Kindle Scribe is getting new brush types and new notebook subfolder capabilities

New features are ready starting today.

What's new?

Different writing tools for your different writing needs are ready to go. Try the new fountain pen for beautiful calligraphy, switch to marker to emphasize your notes, or use the new pencil for sketching. Also, keep your notes organized with new subfolder capabilities.

The updates will automatically download and install on your Kindle Scribe when connected wirelessly. 

For my more impatient friends, the updates can be downloaded manually now.

In the coming months, Kindle Scribe will add lasso copy/paste tools, improved notebook organization and navigation, and the ability to send documents to Kindle Scribe directly from within Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 subscription required).

I am loving my Scribe even more.

Stardock Start 11 - Control Your Windows 11 Interface.

Stardock Start 11. One of the first programs I install when I get a new computer is Start 11 from Stardock. I hate the tiled interface, and I bought this little $5 program when Windows 7's efficient lower left interface went away some years ago. It is still only $5.99, and it transforms the way I interact with the computer. Microsoft ruined the beautiful, simple lower left menu buttons when it went with the ugly tiles. Of course, interfaces are a highly personal thing, and Stardock recognizes that, giving you the option to pick and choose how your menu system looks and works. For six bucks, your regain control over your computer use. Thanks, Stardock.

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT?

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT? The latest Legal Rebels podcast, linked to here, considers the meteoric rise of interest in AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, which is a conversational chatbot that seems to be able to provide cogent answers to just about any question, and which some are saying could revolutionize many industries. Of course, in my day, we had Cliff Notes, which summarized books in bite sized pieces that savvy students could use in studying, and writing papers. Chatbots, however, can sound like graduate theses, and are much tougher to identify. For lawyers, what if a client could get their legal answers from a chatbot, and bypass the lawyers? Scary thought, if you're a grunt lawyer. Of course, human lawyers and advocates will always be needed, if only to put a human face on a client's problem. I think these things will be more of a tool for lawyers to do efficient legal research, which can then be used to enhance our ability to represent clients. I have always considered the advances in AI to be an enhancement, and not a replacement. But, the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, these questions must be asked and answered, and the progress of AI must be closely watched. Enhanced humans might evolve into something we don't want to be.

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT?

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT? The latest Legal Rebels podcast, linked to here, considers the meteoric rise of interest in AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, which is a conversational chatbot that seems to be able to provide cogent answers to just about any question, and which some are saying could revolutionize many industries. Of course, in my day, we had Cliff Notes, which summarized books in bite sized pieces that savvy students could use in studying, and writing papers. Chatbots, however, can sound like graduate theses, and are much tougher to identify. For lawyers, what if a client could get their legal answers from a chatbot, and bypass the lawyers? Scary thought, if you're a grunt lawyer. Of course, human lawyers and advocates will always be needed, if only to put a human face on a client's problem. I think these things will be more of a tool for lawyers to do efficient legal research, which can then be used to enhance our ability to represent clients. I have always considered the advances in AI to be an enhancement, and not a replacement. But, the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, these questions must be asked and answered, and the progress of AI must be closely watched. Enhanced humans might evolve into something we don't want to be.

Have You Upgraded Your Law Office Systems Lately?

I am pretty anal about keeping my computer systems current. I upgrade the software regularly, and keep backups of backups. I am religious about always using current software, and act immediately when notified that a new version is available. It is the best way to protect against malware and scams. But, I am a technology writer and analyst. What's your excuse? Being the software and computer guru for family and friends is a thankless tasks. "My computer stopped working, can you fix it" usually means a couple of hours of work. I understand your frustration. Computers and tech can be complicated and error prone. But, these days, you won't get much work done without them. So, don't angrily throw your systems on the floor. Figure out how to keep them working yourself. You'll be glad you did. And, I will get a little peace and quiet.

You Can Prevent Facebook And Other App Hacking Attacks.

More than one Facebook friend has had their account hacked, and dummy accounts set up that message all their friends. This is one of the easiest hacks to prevent, and only requires the use of two factor authentication for entry to your Facebook account. While in Facebook, click the down arrow in the upper right of the screen. Click Settings and Privacy. Click Security Settings. Click Two Factor Authentication. Enter your cell phone number. Then, before a hacker can ever get into your account again, they will have to have your cell phone as well as your password. You have to get a code on your phone before you sign in to Facebook; but, you can leave Facebook connected if you have control over the physical computer you use. Sure, it is annoying to have to check your phone for a text message and code to get back in to Facebook after you log out. But, it is more annoying to find out some jerk has hacked your account because it was only secured with a password. If you aren't using two factor authentication with every site that has it available, you are like a homeowner leaving the front door to your house unlocked, who is surprised when a criminal walks in and steals something. Be safe out there.