Using the i pad in legal practice

Using the iPad in legal practice
Contents
Contents...............................................................................................................................1
Introduction.........................................................................................................................5
1. Setting up ........................................................................................................................5
1.1 WiFi + cellular, or just WiFi?..........................................................................................5
1.2 Which mobile network?................................................................................................5
1.3 Storage capacity...........................................................................................................6
1.4 Online storage..............................................................................................................6
Benefits ..........................................................................................................................6
Concerns? ......................................................................................................................7
DropBox .........................................................................................................................7
Box.................................................................................................................................7
SugarSync.......................................................................................................................8
iCloud.............................................................................................................................8
SpiderOak.......................................................................................................................8
OneDrive ........................................................................................................................8
Wuala.............................................................................................................................8
1.5 Adobe Acrobat.............................................................................................................9
1.6 Scanners.......................................................................................................................9
1.7 File structure and naming convention..........................................................................10
1.8 Fax service..................................................................................................................11
2. Applications for the iPad ..............................................................................................11
2.1 File viewers, viewers and annotators ...........................................................................11
GoodReader .................................................................................................................11
iAnnotate PDF...............................................................................................................15
Documents ...................................................................................................................16
PDF Expert 5 .................................................................................................................16
Adobe Reader...............................................................................................................16
....................................................................................................................................16
2.2 Microsoft Office .........................................................................................................16
Word for iPad ...............................................................................................................16
....................................................................................................................................16
Excel.............................................................................................................................19
PowerPoint ...................................................................................................................19
....................................................................................................................................19

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Kyle McDonald Last updated 7 April 2014
Barrister
QuickEdit......................................................................................................................19
Documents To Go Premium ..........................................................................................19
Pages............................................................................................................................19
Keynote........................................................................................................................20
2.3 Note taking ................................................................................................................21
NoteTaker HD...............................................................................................................21
Noteshelf......................................................................................................................23
Notes Plus.....................................................................................................................24
7notesHD Premium.......................................................................................................24
WritePad.......................................................................................................................24
AudioNote....................................................................................................................24
Livescribe+....................................................................................................................25
Evernote .......................................................................................................................25
Dragon Dictate .............................................................................................................25
2.4 Legal research & reference..........................................................................................25
AustLII ..........................................................................................................................25
Australian Legal Dictionary............................................................................................26
The Daily List.................................................................................................................26
ProView........................................................................................................................26
BlueFire Reader.............................................................................................................26
2.5 News..........................................................................................................................26
PressReader ..................................................................................................................27
2.6 Presentations..............................................................................................................27
AirPlay ..........................................................................................................................27
Prezi .............................................................................................................................27
Haiku Deck ...................................................................................................................27
....................................................................................................................................27
Reflector.......................................................................................................................28
AirServer.......................................................................................................................28
AirDisplay .....................................................................................................................28
2.7 Video .........................................................................................................................28
Video............................................................................................................................28
AVPlayerHD ..................................................................................................................28
VLC ..............................................................................................................................29
2.8 Off-line and RSS readers .............................................................................................29
Pocket ..........................................................................................................................29
Readability....................................................................................................................29
Instapaper.....................................................................................................................29

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Last updated 7 April 2014 Kyle McDonald
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Mr Reader.....................................................................................................................30
Feedly...........................................................................................................................30
....................................................................................................................................30
2.9 VNC & VPN ................................................................................................................30
TeamViewer..................................................................................................................30
iTeleport .......................................................................................................................30
2.10 Password managers..................................................................................................31
1Password ....................................................................................................................31
LastPass ........................................................................................................................31
3. Getting information on & off the iPad ........................................................................31
3.1 iTunes ........................................................................................................................31
3.2 Third-party programs..................................................................................................32
DiskAid.........................................................................................................................33
PhoneView ...................................................................................................................33
3.3 Cloud storage.............................................................................................................33
3.4 Printing ......................................................................................................................33
AirPrint .........................................................................................................................33
FingerPrint ....................................................................................................................34
Printopia.......................................................................................................................34
Print n Share Pro...........................................................................................................34
3.5 Video conversion ........................................................................................................34
DVD Fab .......................................................................................................................34
Handbrake....................................................................................................................35
4. Accessories .....................................................................................................................35
4.1 Cases & covers ...........................................................................................................35
4.2 Stylus .........................................................................................................................35
4.3 Keyboards ..................................................................................................................36
4.4 Miscellaneous.............................................................................................................36

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Introduction
The iPad is a great tool for lawyers. It lets us connect to our colleagues, the courts, clients, and
the world. It lets us carry large amounts of documents. It lets us reduce the paper we need to
carry, and to do more work remotely and in the courtroom.
There is no one “right way” to use the iPad. This is outline is based largely on my setup, and
suits my workflow. You might choose a different setup because of your practice, or to fit in
with network requirements at your work.
Even if you use it for nothing other than to carry a suitcase’s equivalent of documents, it will
change your practice.
This handout is best used electronically. Tapping on app-icons and blue hyperlinks will take
you the relevant webpage, to save you needing to search for it.
Kyle McDonald
Patterson’s List
Victorian Bar
1. Setting up
1.1 WiFi + cellular, or just WiFi?
The iPad comes with a WiFi connection to wirelessly access the internet. WiFi uses a receiver
that connects to any wireless access point (WAP) broadcasting an internet connection. Most
WAPs have a range of around 20 metres indoors, and 60 metres outdoors
Celluar refers to a mobile phone network with the ability to provide high-speed data over the
mobile phone network. Using cellular, the iPad can connect to the internet anywhere there is a
mobile phone signal. To do this, you need a SIM card from a mobile network and a data plan.
1.2 Which mobile network?
There are three mobile phone networks to choose from: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Other
providers re-sell access to these three.
I’ve tried Vodafone, 3 and Telstra. Now that Telstra’s prices are more competitive, I use a
Telstra 3GB-per-month pre-paid service, and find that’s heaps of data for me. (1GB would be a
bit tight, and I just want to use my iPad without worrying about how much data is left.) If I

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kept mainly to the city or big population areas, I’d probably use Vodafone, but it is only good
if you stay in the capital cities, and in my experience, its network is a bit patchy in areas. Optus
has good prices, but I don’t know if it still suffers network congestion because it’s so popular.
YMMV. (Your mileage may vary.) Also, consider pre-paid data plans. For example, a 4GB plan
with Telstra costs $35 per month on contract, but $30 per month for 3GB on pre-paid. Use 1
GB excess data on that contract plan, and you’ll pay $100 for it. But on prepaid, buy 1 GB
more for $20.
1.3 Storage capacity
The iPad uses solid-state storage — also called a flash drive — instead of a spinning magnetic
hard-disk drive. It comes in four sizes: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128 GB.
Just like you can’t be too rich and too good looking, when it comes to computer devices you
can’t have too much storage and too much speed. I have the 64GB model, so I never have to
worry about how much space is available for my documents.
1.4 Online storage
I can access my documents on my iPad when I’m away from the computer using online or
‘cloud’ storage.
‘Cloud’ is a metaphor for the internet, as data is loaded ‘up’ to and ‘down’ from the ‘cloud’.
All my documents are stored on my computer, and synchronised with a cloud-service. I have
more than 64GB of data on my computer, so I only load onto the iPad those documents I
anticipate needing. But if I need something else, I use my iPad’s data connection to access my
documents stored in the cloud. I can even download them onto my iPad.
Benefits
Two good reasons to use cloud storage are:
• Files are synchronised across linked devices. I change a document on my laptop at
home, and the changes are replicated on my desktop computer in chambers, and vice
versa. And I can access different change versions.
• Files are securely backed up. In case of fire, flood or theft, all my files are still backed
up and accessible in the cloud. Remember Hurricane Katrina? Apparently many New

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Orleans lawyers lost all their files, and even now struggle with cases more than 5 years
old. What will you do if your only copy of your paper file is lost, destroyed or stolen?
Concerns?
Security might be a concern. Most cloud company’s servers are based in the USA, and
potentially subject to its laws about access to otherwise confidential information.
Some of the USA State Bars recently noted the potential for breach of client privilege or the
ethical obligation of confidentiality, but cautiously approved lawyers using cloud computing.
See:
• New York State Bar Association ethical opinion 842
• California State Bar formal opinion 2010-179
• Alabama State Bar ethics opinion 2010-02
There are many services, but I’ll mention the main ones I’m familiar with.
DropBox Free
DropBox is almost indispensable. You need it. You want it. Just get it. Get a
free 2GB account; try it for yourself.
It set the standard for cloud-synchronisation, and is so popular that many
other iPad apps integrate with a DropBox account.
It backs-up and synchronises everything inside a folder named ‘DropBox’. I
put all my folders in there, rather than under ‘My Documents’. I have two
accounts: a 100GB personal account, and a 50GB work account. DropBox
uses 128-bit encryption (as used by the banks for online banking), so it’s
pretty secure.
DropBox allows me to set up share folders. I grant access to specified
people to that share folder, and we can all see and access the files. No
email size limits, and no problems with version control of our documents!
DropBox also has public share folders (any documents in that are available
to the world) and now has a groups version intended for corporate users.
In my view, the DropBox app is a pretty ordinary way to access any of your
files stored in your dropbox. It only lets you view them, or open them in
another app. DropBox’s real benefit lies in its integration with other apps,
such as GoodReader.
Box Free
Similar to DropBox, but with a heavier emphasis on sharing documents
amongst groups. A free Box account gives you 5 GB of online storage. I also
have a BoxNet account.

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SugarSync Free
Similar to DropBox, but allows you to select any folder on your computer to
backup. It doesn’t link quite as easily to some of the iPad applications I’ll
discuss in later posts, which is probably the only reason why I prefer
DropBox over this great service. Yup, I have a SugarSync account too.
iCloud Free
iCloud does much the same as MobileMe before it. It only synchronises
documents if an app supports it. At the moment, that is largely confined to
Apple’s own products: Keynote, Pages and numbers.
SpiderOak Free
Another sync service similar to DropBox. This one is much more secure. It
encrypts your files as it uploads them to the Cloud. You keep the only ‘key’,
or password, on your devices, guaranteeing that no one else can access
your files in the Cloud. But neither can you if you lose your key!
OneDrive Free
OneDrive is a sync app made by Microsoft. It offers 7 GB of online storage.
Right now it’s the only cloud storage that directly integrates with Microsoft
Office on the iPad.
Wuala Free
Wuala is another sync service with an emphasis on security. A free account
offers 5GB of storage
Of these, the first three are the easiest to use on the iPad because they integrate with other
apps.

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1.5 Adobe Acrobat
Aside from using iTunes to activate the iPad when you first get it, you don‘t need other
software on your computer to use the iPad.
But if you want to get the most use with your documents on it, having Adobe Acrobat helps.
A lot. There are cheaper programs that do some of what Acrobat does, but not everything. If
you want to do everything that Microsoft Office can do, you have to spend the cash buying
MS Office. So too if you want to do everything Acrobat can do, you need to buy Acrobat. Oh,
and I don’t mean Acrobat Reader: I’m talking about the full version of Adobe Acrobat
Professional.
With Acrobat I can convert Word documents and webpages to PDF; combine files; add
bookmarks, sticky notes and highlights to documents; insert annotations; perform OCR
(optical character recognition) documents scanned as images, and virtual faxes, and turn them
into searchable documents; and add security restrictions to documents.
If you want to know more about using Acrobat in legal practice, check out:
• PDF for lawyers
• Acrobat for legal professionals
1.6 Scanners
I have two scanners to turn all the paper I get into electronic documents. That way I can store
my briefs in the Cloud, and only carry on my iPad those that I need. If for some reason I need
access to a brief not on my iPad, I get it instantly through DropBox.
The Fujitsu ScanSnaps are highly recommended.
I have two.
The iX500 desktop is a sheet-feed scanner that scans both
sides of a document in one pass. It holds up to 50 sheets.
The S1300i portable scanner unfolds to take up to 10 A4
sheets at a time, and also
scans both sides of a
document in a single pass. It
can run off USB or AC power.
I do take it to court
occasionally. Once, when briefed at court, I used it to scan parts
of the only copy of a police brief (with permission) at a
courthouse with no copying facilities. Once it was converted to
PDF I put the brief together electronically with Acrobat on my
laptop, bookmarked it, and transferred it to my iPad! Instant
disclosure!
There’s an ultra-portable version, the S1100, but it’s slow enough to be only useful for a few
pages, and has no sheet feeder.
If you shop around, you can buy both scanners from online retailers cheaper than the RRP.

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And if you have a scanner, with software like Paperless or Neat Receipts you can digitise all
your receipts and get rid of that shoebox!
If you do use a scanner, buy a stamp that reads “scanned”. Scan paper as it comes in, and if
you need to keep it rather than return it or shred it (ideal), stamp it as scanned so the next
time you see it you know it’s done.
1.7 File structure and naming convention
It’s important your file structure and naming convention helps you locate files quickly and
easily. If you use a commercial document management system, then that system will name
and file your files for you.
Otherwise, it’s up to you how to name and arrange your files.
Two common conventions for naming files are:
• Starting with a date e.g. [document date] [description]
• Starting with the type of document e.g. [Document Type][Receiving
Party][Subject][Original Document Date] or some similar format
I use the first naming style, using the appearance date I’m briefed for e.g. yyyy_mm_dd
FAMILYNAME Given name — [brief type].pdf.
Here’s a screenshot of my DropBox, showing my folder structure, and some of my briefs.

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These file names automatically sort in date order. If I do forget where a file is, I can search for
it by file name or — because the files are OCR’d — by a word or phrase in the file.
Getting the structure right and choosing a naming system that works for you is important. I
spent more time deciding on this than any other aspect of setting up my computer and iPad. A
few resources you might find helpful are:
• How to organize paperless client files — Lawyerist
• Sign up to DocumentSnap for a download document on paperless document
management
• Digital Workflow CLE
• The Document Naming System in Our Paperless Office — ABA Law Practice Today
• Are there any recognized “best” practices for file naming conventions? —
Compujurist
1.8 Fax service
Last, not strictly something just for the iPad but useful nonetheless, a virtual fax service allows
me to send and receive faxes by email as PDFs. No fax machine or paper required. Great for
getting faxes at court without the fees some of them charge!
I use Ozefax, but only because I get so few faxes. Consider Fax2Mail, which is better value if
you send and receive a lot of faxes.
2. Applications for the iPad
2.1 File viewers, viewers and annotators
I mentioned above how great the iPad is for carrying around many documents. The iPad
doesn't access it storage memory the way a computer does: there's no file manager or
explorer program.
We need an app (application) to store and view our files. These are the big guns for legal
work. (Apart from SugarSync’s own app, none of them link directly with the SugarSync cloud
service I mentioned here.)
GoodReader $6.49
GoodReader is my file viewer of choice.
The screen shot below shows its default opening page. I added the folders
you see at the top left. You can transfer files into it through iTunes by USB
cable; via DropBox over the internet; or using a third-party file transfer
program.

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Can you see the Word document in the file list? GoodReader can view Word, txt, html,
pictures, video and PDF.
GoodReader allows me to connect to a variety of cloud storage services, including multiple
DropBox accounts. It's very fast — faster than using the DropBox app.

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I can annotate files on the iPad, and save to the original file or create a copy, and sync the
latest version to the Cloud. GoodReader can view annotations created using Adobe Acrobat.

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iAnnotate
PDF
$12.99
If you only want to work with and mark up PDFs all the time, this app is
probably the pick of the bunch. It uses customisable toolbars on the sides
of the screen to provide quick access to editing tools. It can access many
of the same cloud services as GoodReader or ReaddleDocs. This is what it
looks like, with a few example annotations on the document.

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Documents Free
Documents views a wide range of files and stores them on the iPad.
Similar to GoodReader, this can access an even larger number of cloud
services. Integrates closely with other apps produced by the same
company, Readdle: PDF Expert; Scanner Pro, Printer Pro; and PDF
Converter.
A good file manager for the iPad.
PDF Expert 5 $12.99
Made by Readdle, this works easily with Documents, and allow for PDF
form completion. It’s other claim to fame is it allows for easy signature
addition to PDFs on the iPad.
Adobe
Reader
Free
Given Adobe invented the PDF (portable document format), you’d expect
this to be good, and it is. It too allows you to complete PDF forms, and
has an excellent ability to allow signatures on PDFs.
2.2 Microsoft Office
Word for iPad Free for viewing; requires Office 365 subscription to edit and save docs
After years of rumours, on 27 March 2014 Microsoft finally released its
suite of Microsoft Office for iPad. And, the apps are very good.
Word for iPad allows for many of the functions lawyers need such as
paragraph numbering, track-changes and footnotes. You can’t modify
styles in it; it will only render system fonts; and in a glaring omission that is
sure to be fixed in later releases, you can’t print from it.
As a reference, here’s a screenshot of submissions authored in Microsoft Word. The first is the
document in Word on a Mac; the second is on the iPad.

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Figure 1 — submissions on computer

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Figure 2 — same submissions in Word for iPad

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Excel Free for viewing; requires Office 365 subscription to edit and save docs
PowerPoint Free for viewing; requires Office 365 subscription to edit and save docs
QuickEdit Free
A good Office alternative, offering simple editing for Word, Excel and
Powerpoint with track-changes.
Documents
To Go
Premium
$21.99
A strong competitor to Microsoft’s suite, this all-in-one works on iPad and
iPhone, allows editing of Word, Powerpoint, and Excel files, and integrates
with multiple cloud services.
Pages $12.99
This is Apple’s iPad version of its word processor. It is compatible with MS
Word documents, but doesn’t always handle formatting as you might
expect. It has excellent integration with iCloud, but no direct integration
with other cloud services.

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Keynote $12.99
This is Apple’s iPad version of its presentation software, equivalent to
PowerPoint. It’s an excellent app — better than the Mac version, and
streets ahead of Powerpoint. If you do much presenting, it’s well worth
the price.

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2.3 Note taking
When I first started using the iPad I struggled to take notes when at court or talking with
people, and then keep track of those notes and integrate them with my electronic documents.
I think some of these apps provide a solution.
NoteTaker HD $6.49
All my notes are stored locally until deleted. You can see here the opening
page, with notes listed on the left side; a preview on the right side; and
the page tool menu open for the most recent note. Despite its busy
interface, this is the app I use because it provides the greatest control, and
integration with other apps.

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Individual notes can run for as many pages as you wish, and allow for highlighting and
annotating. You can also import PDF documents and annotate them, or even sign documents.
Like many note-taking apps, this one uses a zoom window so your writing doesn’t look it was
done with a crayon.

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Noteshelf $7.49
Noteshelf is now my favourite note-taking app. It looks great, and is
simple and intuitive to use. Once it provided export-to-PDF — an essential
function for me — I jettisoned NoteTaker HD.

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Notes Plus $8.99
Notes Plus has a variety of export options, including sync with Google
Docs and Dropbox, and export to PDF. It can convert hand drawn shapes
to perfect circles, squares, triangles etc, and has useful gestures like
crossing out a word to erase it. With a paid upgrade, you can circle
handwriting, which flags it for conversion to typed text. And you can
record audio as you take notes. The only downside is that being so
customisable, you need to invest a bit of time in learning how to use it
properly.
7notesHD
Premium
$9.99
The stand-out feature with this app is its ability to convert handwriting to
text. It does a pretty good job of it too, relying not just on handwriting
recognition, but also context so that it can figure out individual hard-to-
decipher letters based on the spelling of the rest of the word you write.
Personally, I find the handwriting-to-text conversion takes just long
enough to slow me down.
WritePad $9.99
This app is similar to 7notesHD Premium. It’s handwriting recognition is
perhaps just a little better, and has the added advantage of providing an
option in the settings to choose from various common handwriting letter
shapes, improving its recognition even more. The conversion process is a
bit slower in my experience, and despite good export options, I’m not sold
on this app.
AudioNote $5.49
This is, frankly, a fairly basic note-taking app without even a zoom
window for writing. But, it’s has one interesting feature: it allows audio
recording that synchronises with your handwriting. Simply tap on the
page to jump to the accompanying audio from when you wrote that text.
This is similar to the LiveScribe smartpen, but without the need for paper.
Trial this with the free Lite version.

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Livescribe+ Free
This app works with a LiveScribe audio-recording pen, and transcribes
everything you write on paper onto the iPad! With LiveScribe, you can
play back notes synced with your writing.
Evernote Free
Evernote offers very flexible note-taking, perfect for typing out a quick
note with little formatting options to get in the way. It can also store all
sorts of other media in it, such as PDF, audio and video clips, emails,
photos and webcaptures. Combined with Penultimate — a handwriting
app — and Skitch for image annotation, it is a great productivity ap.
Dragon
Dictate
Free
If you’d prefer to dictate your notes, then this free app might be what
you’re after. It works pretty well, though I found it had difficulty with
some words. Maybe I mumble though, and you’ll find no problems with it.
2.4 Legal research & reference
The file-viewer apps above allow us to pre-load the iPad with legislation and cases, or access it
from our cloud storage as needed. But, if you need something else when you’re away from
your office, there’s an app for that too.
AustLII Free
AustLII’s app works on the iPad or iPhone, and provides quick access to its
many databases. I prefer to just use the iPad’s web-broswer Safari and go
straight the AustLII site, but you might prefer the simplicity of the app.

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Australian
Legal
Dictionary
$59.99
Taken from the 4th edition of the Butterworths Concise Australian Legal
Dictionary.
The Daily List Free
This app is produced for the Victorian Department of Justice. As its name
suggests, it produces daily court lists in a browsable and searchable form.
ProView Free
Thomsons has really set the bar for legal publications on the iPad. The app
is free, but you have to buy the content. eBooks or eSubscriptions link
with your account, and download on this and sync to desktops, including
any notes you make. An example of how useful the iPad can be done with
a properly thought out app.
BlueFire
Reader
Free
It seems LexisNexis Australia hasn’t invested a great deal in its ePubs.
BlueFire Reader is a perfectly fine eReader, but it shows up the lack of
bookmarking and useability provided in Lexis Nexis’s eBooks. Not much
choice if a publication is only available from Lexis, but if you have an
option, I recommend ProView.
The subscriber websites for the big three legal publishers work on the iPad too. LexisNexis AU
is accessible, and Thomson’s WestLaw site works perfectly on the iPad.
Jade’s BarNet also works perfectly on the iPad, defaulting to a version optimised for mobile.
2.5 News
Most major papers are now providing iPad apps, though many are moving to either part or full
subscription models.

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PressReader Free + ongoing subscription
PressReader provides digital replicas of 2000 newspapers from around the
world. You can zoom in to view individual articles, flip pages, and share
articles.
2.6 Presentations
The iPad is ideal for presentations. Simple load your PowerPoint presentation on any of the
Microsoft Office compatible apps discussed above, or produce a Keynote presentation on the
Keynote app. Connect to a projector or HDTV using the Apple Digital AV Adaptor, or mirror
your iPad display using AirPlay.
AirPlay Built in to iOS
Another innovation in iOS 5, AirPlay provides wireless streaming of video
and audio to compatible devices, either using Apple TV, or a computer
monitor.
Prezi Free
Prezi is a template-based presentation app, that works across computers
and devices via the cloud.
Haiku Deck Free
This presentation app matches images to atomic-style slides.

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Reflector $US 12.99
A mirroring program for the PC and Mac, and also allows you to use
AirPlay for music. It provides a choice of frames around the image, and
allows for multiple iOS devices to mirror at the same time. The computer
background remains in view with this app.
AirServer $US 14.99
Similar to Reflector, except this doesn’t offer the option of frames around
the image. This app offers a higher resolution full-screen mode and
recording. Will also display two iOS displays simultaneously, and blacks
out the background so you can’t see the computer background.
AirDisplay $US 14.99
This program allows you to use an iPad as a secondary monitor, so you
can display something from your computer on the iPad.
2.7 Video
Video Built-in
This is the iPad’s built-in video viewer. It does a fine job, but is pretty
limited in the file formats it will handle: H.264; mp4; m4v; and mov.
AVPlayerHD $3.79
This is a reasonably simple app that also allows for Wi-Fi transfer of files,
and can handle a wide variety of video formats. It has some options for
changing viewing size, and also to control playback speed.

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VLC Free
The swiss-army-knife of video playback, this open-source app handles
nearly everything you can throw at it. Sometimes chokes on HD video,
which is when AVPlayer HD might perform better.
2.8 Off-line and RSS readers
Sometimes you just can’t view something on the iPad, or you want to keep it handy for later
viewing. These apps let you save webpages for later reading, even if you don’t have an
internet connection at the time, or sorting through your RSS feeds.
Pocket Free
Saves webpages, tweets, videos, RSS feeds and allows switching between
a scaled-down version of the original or a full version. Syncs with other
iOS devices and web-based access for your desktop computer.
Readability Free
Similar to Pocket and Instapaper, this app also has a built-in web-browser
for finding additional content.
Instapaper $4.99
Another off-line reader, this focuses more on reducing web pages to text
for distraction-free reading, and has the widest variety of customisations.

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Mr Reader $4.99
If you subscribe to multiple RSS-feeds on blogs or news sites, this is the
best app for keeping up with them.
Feedly Free, or optional subscription
Following the closure of Google’s RSS Reader, Feedly leapt to become the
number one RSS service. Offers an iPad and iPhone version along with
desktop services on web browsers.
2.9 VNC & VPN
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) provides remote control to a computer. Virtual Private
Network (VPN) software provides additional security for you iPad — particularly important if
you’re working on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks — and, depending on your network, can
provide you with access to your home or office network.
TeamViewer Free
A great remote control application for accessing your PC or Mac through
your iPad.
iTeleport $24.99
Another VPN access app.
After trying a few, I recommend WiTopia VPN, with a wide variety of server locations and easy
settings for the iPad. Another well-regarded one is StrongVPN.

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2.10 Password managers
Last, you should consider some reasonable password managers so you can use secure
passwords on your iPad and computers.
1Password $22.99
Set one, strong password to your vault, and let 1Password generate
unique strong passwords for every account, and auto-fill websites with
them for you. Syncs via cloud services to other iOS devices and your PC or
Mac. Also securely stores and encrypts user profiles, credit cards, and
notes.
LastPass Free app, $12 annual subscription for Premium service
Similar to 1Password, only the premium service offers iOS sync.
3. Getting information on & off the iPad
3.1 iTunes
Apple’s standard way of transferring files is using File Sharing in iTunes.
From iTunes:
• select your iPad
• select the ‘Apps’ tab
• under File Sharing, select the application you want to transfer to or from
Depending on your screen size, you might not be able to see File Sharing: you might need to
scroll down to view it!
Here’s a screen shot that shows this.

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iTunes won’t copy across folders of files, but does now provide bi-directional file transfer.
3.2 Third-party programs
An easier way to do this is with a file transfer program that shows the iPad like a removable
disk on your computer. These allow bi-directional file transfer, and at much faster speeds over
USB cable, which is particularly important when dealing with large documents or video files.

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DiskAid $29.90
This program is available for both PC and Mac. The free version allows
access to the iPad file system and will transfer files to and from apps. The
paid version allows video and photo transfer, as well as access to
messages, contacts, notes and phone calls (on the iPhone).
PhoneView $29.95
A Mac-only program that does much the same as the paid version of
DiskAid, including a very useful message display function — particularly
useful if you need to produce SMS records in Court proceedings.
3.3 Cloud storage
This method is one of the benefits of the cloud services discussed above. As long as your cloud
service is supported by your particular app, you can download your documents onto the iPad
so long as you have an internet connection.
GoodReader, iAnnotate and Documents are particularly useful because they all provide bi-
directional syncing so that any changes you make to a document on the iPad are made to the
document on your cloud service and from there to your computer and other connected
devices.
3.4 Printing
It is possible to print from the iPad, but because it is so easy to store and share documents
electronically, the first question you should ask is if it really is even necessary to print? In many
cases there really is no need to produce paper copy other than habit.
But, if it is necessary, there are a couple of ways of doing it. To be honest, some aren’t very
elegant, and you might find it easier to sync your documents with a computer and print from
there.
In most apps, simply look for the the Action icon in order to print:
AirPrint Built-in
Apple introduced AirPrint when it released the update to the iPad
operating system in iOS 5. AirPrint allows for printing from apps to
supported printers on the same Wi-Fi network as the iPad.

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FingerPrint $21.74
FingerPrint requires you to download and install a small program or
package that effectively runs a printer-server on your computer. When
your iPad is on the same wireless network as your computer and printer,
the iPad can see that printer, and print straight to it.
Printopia $19.95
A Mac-only program that installs a printer-server package on computer.
This one also allows you to ‘print’ a file to your computer, and to ‘print’
PDF and JPG files directly to DropBox.
Print n Share
Pro
$10.49
This app is one of 8 made by the same company, each of which offer only
some of the features available in this one. It can print to networked and
Wi-Fi printers; create PDFs; print calendars, contacts, emails; provide multi-
user accounts; and send files to your printer over 3G when you’re out of
the office or home.
3.5 Video conversion
If you have video in a non-compatible iPad format, or on physical media like DVD, you need to
convert it for use on the iPad and then transfer using one of the methods discussed above.
DVD Fab $45
This all-in-one PC and Mac program will copy video from a DVD and
convert to iPad-compatible format in one pass. Highly recommended.

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Handbrake Free
If you already have your video file in digital format, but still need to
convert it, this program has a range of presets to take the guesswork out
of the process for you.
4. Accessories
There are literally thousands of accessories for the iPad, to suit every need and taste. I’ll
mention just a few you might like to consider.
4.1 Cases & covers
In my experience, protective skins like BodyGuardz or InvisibleSHIELD aren’t really necessary on
the iPad, especially if you plan to use a stylus on your screen. But, if you are particularly rough
on your gadgets, or want to take special care with them, either is good. I’ve tried both, and
have a very marginal preference for BodyGuardz.
The Apple SmartCover is a great front for the iPad, and I like the SwitchEasy CoverBuddy to
protect the back from scratching without adding bulk.
Other popular cases for a range of needs from aesthetic to military-grade protection are
OtterBox and Gecko.
If you like something old-world, the Twelve-South Book Book wraps your iPad in a leather-
bound embossed book cover, or the Dodocase provides a Moleskin-style cover.
4.2 Stylus
A stylus makes annotating and note-taking much easier on the iPad, and lets you use it with
gloves on in cold weather.
I’ve tried many, and recommend the Waacom Bamboo Stylus. It has a great writing feel, and
the rubber tip can be replaced when — not if — it wears and tears, in contrast to all the other
brands where you throw away the whole stylus and buy a new one.
The Adonit Jot is a more pen-like stylus with a fine-point with a ball-and-socket fitting into a
plastic-disc. It clicks on the iPad glass — enough to be heard in quiet settings — and I found
mine made very fine scratches on my screen.
Other popular styluses are the Ten-One Pogo Sketch, and the BoxWave stylus. I found the
Pogo ‘spongy’ and didn’t enjoy using it. The BoxWave stylus writes well when new — similar
to the Bamboo above — but over time the rubber wears and it becomes quite ‘grippy’ on the
screen, and then the rubber tip tears.
There are few Australian bricks-and-mortar stores that stock styluses. I’ve bought mine online
from the USA, or else from www.thestyluscompany.com, http://pogosketch.com.au and
www.buywacom.com.au.

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4.3 Keyboards
The virtual keyboard on the iPad is a big improvement on that on the iPhone, and is great for
small amounts of typing. For serious typing, you might find a dedicated keyboard improves
your accuracy.
A couple to consider here are:
• the Apple wireless keyboard
• The Brydge
• The Clam Case
• Anker Ultrathink Keyboard cover
• Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard cover
4.4 Miscellaneous
A few other gadgets that might be useful:
• HoverBar — places your iPad next to your computer screen
• Wallee case — mount your iPad on a desk stand, wall mount, headrest adaptor
• Compass — portable easel-type stand
Last, if you want to learn more about getting the most out of your iPad, I suggest you buy:
• the iBook Paperless by David Sparks. Though David is a lawyer, his book is aimed at
iPad users generally. (But lawyers will still get a lot from it.) This ‘book’ contains video,
audio, pictures and page after page of detailed advice and recommendation about
using the iPad to go paperless, and will be the best $5 you’ve ever spent.
• the iBook Acrobat in One Hour for Lawyers by Ernst Svenson. Ernie was a lawyer, but
recently started working exclusively training lawyers in paperless practice. His book is
essential reading for anyone wanting to reduce paper, use Acrobat or generally
become more proficient in using electronic documents.

Using the i pad in legal practice

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