PDF Expert
The PDF Expert app from Readdle ($9.99) is a dream come true for iPad-loving litigators who need to review and annotate paperless transcripts—or any legal document in PDF format. If you still think the iPad is just a novelty item for checking email outside the office, think again. No need to lug folders full of documents to review at the airport or go over during lunch. Just fire up your iPad and open the PDF Expert app. In minutes, you’ll find that document review is—dare we say it—almost fun. (Think finger painting for adults.) No more pens and paper for annotation. All you need is an easy finger touch and swipe to the screen.

Key feature: Versatile file sharing
PDF Expert allows you to upload files from your computer, emailed attachments, Dropbox, Google Docs, etc. The app reads almost all document types, including iWork, MS Office, PowerPoint, text files, images, even music and video files. Once you’ve reviewed and annotated a file, you can share it to other electronic devices for further review by yourself or colleagues. Files can be opened and read by most other PDF readers.

Key feature: Annotating documents
The features on PDF Expert read like a Swiss Army knife of annotation tools: highlighting text in colors, underlining, strikeouts, sticky notes, the ability to free hand or type text notes with a pop-up keyboard, add arrows, circles and boxes to highlight a section. This is literally an office supply store in an app. Everything you need is in the tool box, including a stamp tool with those nifty stickers like “sign here,” “draft” and “confidential.”

There’s more. You can add an image from your camera roll or photo albums, and record and attach an audio message to any document.

You can review one document, then switch and review another file seamlessly.

Key feature: Search document and fill in forms and add signature
PDF Expert lets you search documents for key words or phrases and generates a list of their context and location. In addition, you can fill in PDF forms, including adding text, checking boxes and selecting options from a drop-down list.

Key feature: Editing pages in thumbnail mode
In thumbnail mode, you can add new empty pages, copy and paste, move, delete and rotate existing pages. You can also select specific pages you’d like to move to a new document or email.

You’re gonna love it.
We’ve touched on just a few of the features of this outstanding app—and there are many, many more. We’ve added it to the list of apps we cover in detail in our MCLE-accredited class, “Practical iPad: The Essential Primer for Legal Professionals.” You owe it to yourself to check out PDF Expert. You’ll never look at document review the same way again.

And if you’d like to schedule an iPad class for your office, just get in touch, and we’ll make it happen. Enjoy!

PDF-XChange Viewer: Our recommended PDF annotator for Windows

PDF-XChange Viewer is our recommended PDF Annotator for your Windows-based laptop or PC. It’s feature rich—even the free version—and has a look and feel similar to Adobe’s Acrobat, which means most of you will feel right at home navigating the program. It’s available in several versions: a free one, whose key features we’ll spotlight in this post, and a “Pro” version ($37.50) that offers additional tools for power users. For litigators and other legal professionals looking for an easy-to-use PDF annotator, this is it.

Key feature: Markup tools

We were impressed with PDF-XChange Viewer’s wide range of markup tools. From a common toolbar at the top of a document, you can select tools to highlight, underline and strike out text, as well as add notes using callout and comment boxes. At left, we’ve added a note and underlined text. Traditionalists can also grab a virtual pen and eraser from the same toolbar. Each tool has customizable attributes, including color, that are easy to change on the fly.

Key feature: Stamps

PDF-XChange Viewer drastically simplifies adding stamps to documents. The program’s built-in library includes a number of useful stamps, like “Draft” and “Confidential”—and it’s easy to add your own images to the library. With this feature, adding a signature or logo to the letter you’re composing is a snap.

  
Key feature: Pins

Pins are one of PDF-XChange Viewer’s standout features, allowing you to “pin” text, audio or video files anywhere in the PDF you’re working on. Using a pin, you can leave a voice note to fellow attorney, paralegal or assistant—dropping it right where they need to see it. Pin functionality is somewhat limited in the free version, so if this feature sounds appealing, you might consider upgrading.

Other features

Bookmarks are another thoughtful feature in PDF-XChange Viewer. When you bookmark areas of, they’re automatically categorized and sorted for easy access later.

There’s also a helpful “Fullscreen” reader mode that hides the program’s interface and gives you an uncluttered view of your transcript.

The Pro version of PDF-XChange Viewer adds document encryption, digital signature support and more. Tracker Software, the software’s developer, created this page to help you compare versions. We think it’s smart to try the free version first—then upgrade if you’re hungry for additional functionality.

Next time

Join us again next month as we continue to explore best PDF annotators for legal professionals. We’ll look at a easy-to-use iOS app that brings annotation to your touchscreen Apple device.

We think it’s a great time to take a closer look at how the iPad can enhance your practice of law.

Serving clients better

As always, our iPad fascination focuses on how the technology interfaces with our products to serve clients better—with depositions, legal videos, video synchronization, digital exhibits and more. We’re discovering that there’s a role for the iPad at almost every step in the process—from prepping for depositions, participating in the deposition process, reviewing and annotating completed depositions, and, ultimately, presenting evidence to the jury at trial.

We were intrigued when we heard about TrialPad, the iPad jury presentation app ($89.95). With an iPad, Wi-Fi and the tiny wireless AppleTV Airplay to “mirror” your iPad screen onto a TV monitor, you can present wirelessly to the jury—so you’re free to walk around without being tethered to the podium. Hmm….

We tested how well TrialPad would work with our deposition products. We liked it so much that we’re tempted to use TrialPad, Apple TV and Airplay to present the latest court reporting technologies to our clients.

Getting set up for security

First things first, we tested the iPad2 3G with IOS.5 and the latest TrialPad update, version 3.0.35. For an extra layer of protection, we went into the iPad’s Settings and set up a four-digit passcode and set the passcode lock to lock the unit and erase its content after 10 unsuccessful login attempts.

We also took advantage of the free registration for iCloud available for iPad 2. (Settings> General>iCloud) so we can use iCloud’s GPS to locate the iPad if it goes missing. We also chose to have our iPad content stored in iCloud.

Easy to load and organize

Using TrialPad, we created a case file that looked just like a manila folder and started importing materials, including our Hahn & Bowersock presentation—created with Keynote.

Our sample case materials—transcript, video, synched video clip, photos and X-ray—were all stored in GoodReader. From there, we moved them into Dropbox and then into TrialPad. The app gives you four ways to import documents, photos and videos: Dropbox, iPhoto, email or file sharing in iTunes. (To run our synched legal videos on TrialPad, we exported them as MPEG files, then converted them to the MP4 format to play on the iPad.)

TrialPad lets you mark photos or transcripts with colored highlighters, call out and highlight block sections of transcripts or documents, and compare and contrast documents side by side. You can save your annotations for jury review by pressing the fire/hot docs button. You can also make and save video clips with just a few steps. There’s a multicolored laser pointer to guide viewers through your presentation and a whiteboard for hand-drawn diagrams.

To present on Trialpad, you simply swipe, tap, zoom in and zoom out with your fingers—no keyboard needed!

Once you’ve loaded case materials into your TrialPad case folder, you can mirror the content wirelessly to a HD TV screen through Apple TV Airplay using the output mode. Blank and freeze options keep you from accidentally displaying a document and let you hide screens you might not want the jury to see.

The TrialPad website features videos with step-by-step instructions and an excellent FAQ section with answers to how-to questions.

From small screen to big screen

With the small and sleek Apple TV Airplay ($99), a Wi-Fi connection and a high-definition TV with HDMI input, you can wirelessly display the content of your iPad screen on the TV monitor for viewing. The Apple TV AirPlay only takes minutes to set up. Tap the Airplay icon and toggle your mirror option to On, and you’re sharing your iPad content with the jury. (We’ve created a presentation that walks you step by step through the Apple TV Airplay set-up process. Let us know if you’d like a copy.)

Long days call for a battery boost

The iPad 2 has solid battery life—10 hours under good conditions—but open apps, 3G use, frequent checking of email and screen brightness can all take a toll. If you’re facing a long deposition or court appearance, you’ll feel safer with an extra battery boost.

We experimented with two options:

The wireless rechargeable New Trent IMP1000 external battery pack and charger ($76.95) gives the iPad an extra 19 hours of battery life. It’s sleek and tiny enough to fit in your pocket with the added advantage of being able to charge your iPhone 4,Blackberry and several other smartphones.

We also tested and loved the HyperJuice Stand ($129.95) that delivers an extra 16 hours of battery life and doubles as a convenient iPad stand. (Its built-in pass-through battery means it can power your device and recharge it at the same time.) The HyperJuice holds your iPad at an 18-degree or 45-degree angle—vertical or horizontal—for convenient support in the office, on the plane or in court for hands-free viewing.

So much more to come

Innovative legal, medical, aviation and business apps take center stage every day—and the urge to embrace the iPad as a research and discovery tool is irresistible! With a little creativity, the iPad is adding real efficiencies to the deposition and trial process. Stay tuned!

If you’d like to learn more about the products in this post, please take advantage of our iPad demos—by webinar or in person. Contact clientservices@hahnbowersock.com for details.

And as a disclaimer, Hahn & Bowersock has no financial interest in any of the products mentioned—we just love sharing ideas about new technology and how it can help you!

Zagg keyboard

We love timesaving gadgets, so we popped our iPad into a Bluetooth-connected Zagg portable keyboard. In seconds, we were typing as easily as on a laptop. Touch screens are great—except for serious typing. The $99 Zagg keyboard solves that problem beautifully.

Web depositions

Attend and participate in H&B web depositions from your iPad. Joining a web deposition session is quick and easy. You can view participants in the bottom carousal and attend via iPad cam and Skype or your own phone. It’s easy to see exhibits and view and interact with the witness. The private and group chat worked without a hitch. Picture and sound clarity were perfect. Want to include your client, expert or co-counsel? Invite them to attend by laptop, iPad, iPhone or desktop. And as an added bonus, we can stream the Realtime deposition on your iPad during the web deposition.

H&B Office

Our convenient app for iPhone and iPad gives you easy access to H&B Office, where you can view transcripts and digital exhibits, check your deposition schedule and calendar for the month, and follow Google Maps to your depo location.

Dropbox

This absolutely essential app lets you organize case documents and transcripts in one location that’s easily accessible from multiple iPad apps. Store photographs, videos, transcripts, notes and anything else related to a case, and Dropbox will synch them to all of your computers with instant updates. From Dropbox, you can download transcript, exhibits and case documents into the GoodReader, iAnnotate and Deponent apps.

Getting documents into these apps is simple and fast. From the iPad, we went to hahnbowersock.com and clicked on online access. After logging in to H&B Office and H&B eDocs, we easily found the documents we needed and moved them to Dropbox and GoodReader. For Goodreader, we downloaded documents by simply placing a “g” in front of the URL.

GoodReader

This app makes it easy to organize and access all kinds of case documents in one location. We downloaded our transcripts, exhibits and case documents into case files, where we were able annotate exhibits and transcripts for review. During a deposition, you can hand your iPad to a witness, who can view the exhibit—and even annotate it with a finger or stylus. You can take a screen shot of the annotated exhibit and email the image to the court reporter for marking. GoodReader also makes it easy to bring in and refer to earlier, fully annotated depositions.

iAnnotate

We downloaded regular and condensed PDFs of transcripts and were able to easily annotate and add notes. Exhibits in iAnnotate are easy for witnesses to mark on—and the marked image can be captured, saved and attached to the deposition.

Google Maps

You can use this app—which comes preloaded onto your iPad—to create a detailed accident scene photo. Search for the physical location of the accident, click on bird’s eye view, rotate the picture to pinpoint the exact location of the accident, then capture the photo by clicking the on/off button and the bottom center button at the same time. The image is saved in your photos file. From there, you can move the photo into the Adobe Ideas app or your Good Reader app and let the witness annotate the exact location on the photo. Save the photo with annotations and email it to the court reporter to mark. It all works perfectly and easily.

DocScanner

No photocopier handy? Not a problem. Snap a photo of any document with DocScanner, and it creates a fully searchable pdf, text or doc file you can send to your email account or upload to Dropbox, iAnnotate or other apps to review later.

LawBox

If you need to access a California or federal code, this free app makes it fast and easy. There are many more good apps in this category that put code sections at your fingertips.

Deponent

This app is a valuable tool in prepping for depositions—you can organize questions, link questions with exhibit images to create a deposition outline and enter notes during the deposition.

Zite

Need to monitor the latest events in the legal world? Zite captures articles from newspapers and magazines based on your customized interests so you can catch up during deposition breaks. And don’t forget The American Lawyer app for the current and past articles.

Angry Birds

Even the most serious iPad user needs a little stress relief. This addictive app is perfect!

We look forward to hearing about how you’re using the iPad 2 for depositions and case management. Drop us a line at ipadapps@hahnbowersock.net.

If you’re interested in learning about these apps and more, call us for a webinar or lunch demonstration—projected through our iPad 2!