Top 5 Essential iPad Apps for Lawyers
Good news law techies. I've got five must-have iPad apps for lawyers, and they're all free. Don't say I never did anything for you. Or do, it's fine either way really.
So here are the Apps all iPad-wielding attorneys should download:
1) Evernote - One of my favorite programs, available on your computer, iPhone/iTouch and iPad. Evernote sets up an easy to use organizational system that can store documents, notes, reminders and any other kind of idea. Each document can be tagged and organized by folder for easy access. Then everything is synchronized and can be shared across all of your platforms. Evernote is one of the best apps for lawyers. I don't know how I got along without it.
2) DropBox - Another excellent program. DropBox has recently had some competition but is still my go-to program for file storage and management. Like Evernote, DropBox allows you to save and share files online across multiple platforms. Unlike Evernote, DropBox is not an organizational system onto itself, but you can easily organize your documents through the use of folders. Best of all, a free DropBox account includes 2GB of hard drive space, which can expand to up to 5GB if you get friends and colleagues to sign up.
3) Dragon Dictation - There was a time when people talked about dictation software in terms of "maybe someday." Well, someday has arrived and who would have guessed that you could use Dragon Dictation on your iPad for free? Once you get the hang of it, you'll be dictating e-mail, memos and who knows what else? Grocery lists, perhaps?
4) Read It Later - I use Read It Later almost every day. It's simple, just add the app to your web browser, iPad and smartphone. Then whenever you come across something that you want to read, but not right now, click Read It Later. It will sync across your other applications. I frequently find myself saving articles to Read It Later from my iPhone and then reading them on my iPad at my leisure.
5) Google Mobile App - How could we leave out Google? It might seem obvious, but their iPad app is loaded with so many functions it would be wrong not to include it on any list. Through the Google Mobile App, you can access Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Reader, Google Translate and Google Talk. That should keep you busy for a while.
So there you have it. Of course this list isn't exhaustive, but if you're loading up your iPad, this is a great place to start and you don't even have to open your wallet.
Related Resources:
- Is Going Paperless Your Goal? Fujitsu ScanSnap Scanner Does Trick (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Apple to Update iPad Software: Good for Law Practice? (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Storage Wars: Competing Cloud Sites Offer Free Storage (FindLaw's Technologist)