Hello, 2019! Last year was a particularly good year in the world of iOS hardware for attorneys. The iPad Pro 12.9" is one of my favorite Apple devices in many years, the Apple Watch Series 4 is far better than prior models while at the same time seeming like a preview of better things to come, and Apple followed up on the amazing iPhone X in 2017 with three new models with different sizes and capabilities. What will 2019 bring us? One thing that I hope to see is improvements to iOS on the iPad so that the software is just as good as the hardware. But I'm sure that much more is coming, and I agree with most of Jason Snell's 2009 iOS wishlist. And now, the recent news of note:
- In a recent decision from the federal Fifth Circuit, Meador v. Apple, Inc., No. 17-40968 (Dec. 18, 2018) (PDF link), the Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit against Apple arising out of a fatal automobile accident caused by a driver who looked down at her iPhone 5 to read a text message instead of paying attention to the road. The plaintiffs argued that receipt of a text message triggered an unconscious and automatic neurobiological compulsion to read the text message, and that Apple should have made it impossible to receive a text while driving. The Fifth Circuit held that, under Texas law, the iPhone 5 was not a substantial factor in the driver's tortious acts. It is an interesting decision on causation. Of course, Apple did implement Do Not Disturb While Driving in iOS 11 in 2017.
- Jason Cross of Macworld recommends some of the best Apple Watch apps.
- Nick Guy of Wirecutter updated his article on recommended iPhone cases.
- Zac Hall of 9to5Mac reviews Nanoleaf Light Panels and Canvas, tiles for your wall which light up and can be controlled using HomeKit.
- If you want a sturdy keyboard for your iPad Pro that basically turns it into a laptop, Jason Snell previews the Brydge 12.9 Pro keyboard for the 12.9" iPad Pro. I don't use a keyboard with my iPad Pro nearly enough to justify a device like this, but if you often use an external iPad keyboard, this does look like a nice option.
- If you use the powerful Shortcuts app on your iPad, Matthew Cassinelli of The Sweet Setup notes that you can drag-and-drop items into the Shortcuts app.
- And finally, David Pogue discusses JOMO — the Joy of Missing Out — in a segment on CBS This Morning, explaining how your iPhone can help you to use your iPhone even less:
