iPad Apps for Lawyers - Part I: Note Taking

Token Picture of a Dude Using an iPad that isn't an iPad, Bein' All Productive with His Cup of Black Coffee

Dear Readers,

The McKusick Law Library has iPads available to borrow. "Why would I borrow an iPad?" you may or may not be questioning. Well - I'm glad you asked. This is the first in a series of blog posts about iPads, their apps, and how lawyers are using them in their practice.

Firstly, libraries are more than book repositories. They are information centers with the goal of helping you succeed in your endeavors. Information comes in many formats, and to meet our changing needs, librarians want to make as many of these formats as available as is possible.

Enter the iPad as information source and tool.

After scouring other blogs, LibGuides, app stores, presentations, and papers, I have compiled a humble list that I encourage you to add to, because heavens knows I haven't used them all; there's like a trillion of those things!

EverNote: Jot down handwritten notes or typed, take snapshots, and record; everything from lectures, to meetings, to business cards, to clipped web articles organized in one place. Notes and reminders are easily navigable on the device or your desktop when the device is synchronized to the desktop.

OneNote: Works much like EverNote, but is wholly integrated into the Microsoft Office suite.

UPad: Great for those who prefer handwritten notes to typed ones. Word on the street is that its closer to the real thing than other apps for handwriting.

AudioNote: It's super cool. Look back at synced notes and audio recording! At the same time! So if you can't remember why you jotted something down, you'll have the audio to help jump your memory. Of course you can also go back and note or highlight your notes and share them as well.

Scanner Pro by Readdle:  Remember these things? They're basically obsolete now because your phone is a scanner.

Come back next time when we discuss apps for saving these doc.s you keep making.


Be Aware: While the apps discussed in this series are helpful tools, they are in no way meant to replace official law sources. Please, rely on your McKusick Law Library or certified government websites for reference.