Nicole Black, The Daily Record Newswire
I've had the Apple Watch since it first came out more than a year ago. It's become a regular part of my day-to-day life and I have a difficult time envisioning my days without my Watch strapped to my wrist. There are rumors that the next version of Watch will be released in September alongside the new iPhone, so if you've been holding out for the latest version, you're in luck: it's most likely right around the bend.
For those of you who already have a Watch or are considering purchasing one in the fall, here are some apps that offer lots of utility for lawyers.
First, there's Just Press Record ($2.99), an app that allows you to record any meeting, conversation, or voice reminder with just the touch of your Watch face. The recordings can then be shared using a variety of apps and services that integrate with the app including Notes, Dropbox, Mail, and Messages. The app automatically syncs via iCloud Drive, so you can play back the recordings on any iOS device, your Apple Watch, or your Mac.
The ETA app ($2.99) is another useful app for lawyers who often travel to meet with clients or to court.
After you program in your most-traveled destinations into the app, such as the courthouse or your office, the app provides walking or driving times for each location and takes into consideration current driving conditions. It also includes a feature that predicts travel times for public transit (but only for the locations where this feature is available).
Another useful app to consider if you're a Mac-user is MacID ($3.99). Using this app, you can touch your Watch screen to unlock your Mac laptop or desktop. Another benefit of this app is that it increases security, since you can choose a more complex password for your Mac and then use this app to start up your computer instead of being required to enter the lengthy password every time.
iTranslate is an app that many lawyers might find to be useful. It's a free app with a database that includes over ninety different languages. The app receives voice input and then automatically transforms it into text and then translates it into the selected language. It's simple, effective, and affordable.
If you're one of the many lawyers who manages their stress through meditation, then the Headspace app is worth looking into. The Watch app works in conjunction with its more full-fledged iPhone app counterpart. The iPhone app offers a number of free guided meditation sessions, while the Watch app has only one function: to provide you with short, "emergency" meditation sessions. You can either choose the "SOS" 2-minute guided meditation or you can choose the " touch" option which requires you to hold your finger on the watch face for 30 seconds in order to force you to focus for a brief moment in time.
Last, but not least, is a built-in function that I find myself using incredibly often, so I figure it's worthy of mention here since not everyone is aware of it. From the shortcut screen that allows you to set your phone in airplane or "do not disturb," you can access the "find your iPhone" feature. As long as your phone is within range of your Watch, it will emit a tone after you activate this feature, making it easy to locate it. Since I misplace my iPhone often, this feature has been a lifesaver for me.
So there you have it: a few of my favorite Watch apps that are useful for attorneys. The number of apps available increases daily, so make sure to check into the App Store often. And once the new Watch is released, the sky's the limit and there will no doubt be even more apps released that are compatible with Apple Watch 2, so stay tuned.
Published: Fri, Aug 05, 2016
