Back on February 20, 2013, Apple released iOS 6.1.2, a minor update for the iPhone and iPad that, somewhat surprisingly, did not fix a previously-reported bug that someone could use to partially bypass a lock screen. This week, Apple released iOS 6.1.3, which Lex Friedman of Macworld notes fixes that bug. Unfortunately, Nick Arnott of iMore reports that there is now another exploit that can be used to bypass the lock screen, even in 6.1.3. The security folks at Apple must sometimes feel like they are playing Wach-a-Mole. And now, the rest of the news of note from this past week:
- California attorney Scott Grossberg offers advice for attaching a document when you are replying to an email. iOS doesn't make this task easy, but Grossberg explains the workarounds.
- Stephen Bour of Indiana Lawyer explains how to use the app Air Display to use your iPad as a second screen for your PC. (via Mark Phillipoff)
- Two items of interest from California attorney David "MacSparky" Sparks. First, Sparks has a new ebook available for purchase in the iBookStore called Markdown, a way to write using plain text while still adding formatting. I know that there are attorneys who write the first draft of all of their briefs in Markdown. I must admit that I don't know much about markdown, so I'll have to check out his book to learn more. Click here for more details. I'm a big fan of his last ebook called Paperless, a great resource for lawyers.
- Second, Sparks has an article in Macworld in which he reviews the best apps for making lists.
- Similarly, over at Lawyerist, New York attorney Nicole Black explains why Any.DO is her favorite app for making lists
- Missouri attorney Todd Hendrickson reviews JuryPad, an app that you can use during voir dire, in this article for Lawyerist.
- John Edwards of Law Technology News offers tips for traveling with technology.
- In another move aimed at increase security, yesterday Apple unveiled two-step verification for Apple ID and iCloud accounts. Two-step verification combines (1) what you know (a password) and (2) what you have (in this case, a unique number displayed on your iPhone or other device). Lex Friedman of Macworld has the details.
- Connected Data, a sponsor of iPhone J.D. this month, now has an iPhone and iPad app so that you can securely access the files that you stored on the devices. If you own a Transporter, you can get the free app here:
- Now through March 27, you can get 20% off of the dockBoss Air, a product I reviewed in January that turns a 30-pin speaker into a Bluetooth speaker. Use code AIRELESS20 at checkout.
- I rarely talk about Apple patents because few of them make their way into products, but this one is interesting: methods to protect a dropped iPhone during a fall to lessen the damage. For example, the patent covers a rotational mechanism to change the orientation of a falling iPhone. Darrell Etherington of TechCrunch has the basic story, and Patently Apple has more details.
- A company called Business Development, Inc. asked me to announce that they now have a iPhone/iPad app called Rainmaker Coach to help lawyers gets clients. The app is free, but I see that there is a $99 in-app purchase for a one-year subscription. Click here for more information.
- Electronista reports that the Department of Defense plans to purchase over 650,000 iPads, iPhones and iPod touches.
- Sharon Zardetto of Macworld has tips for using autocorrect on an iPhone or iPad.
- Dan Frakes of Macworld has a great buying guide for iPad keyboards. I like the Apple Wireless Keyboard myself, but Frakes discusses all of your options.
- John Moltz of It's a Very Nice Web Site offers an interesting and funny perspective on in-app purchase controls so that your kids don't spend thousands of your dollars when they use your iPad.
- Many people who use an iPhone on AT&T opt for the $30/month data plan which gives you 3GB of data. But if you need a lot of data — and I mean a LOT of data — Chris Welch of The Verge reports that AT&T is introducing a 30GB plan for $300, a 40GB plan for $400 and a 50GB plan for $500 a month. So if you really feel the need to stream Netflix movies 24/7 in the middle of a park with no WiFi, you're all set.
- And finally, every year, creative law students produce fun law revue music videos, and some of them are quite good. This year, Andy Loud, a 2L at West Virginia University Law School, created a funny song and video about the drudgery of law school. It is done to the tune of Maroon 5's Payphone and the lyrics are clever. Candace Nelson of the Charleston Daily Mail talked to Loud about the making of the video. You can watch it here:
