Legal Research

iPad for Law? How About iPad for Fun!

By Ted Tjaden

Although I was going to blog at some point on using the iPad for legal work (e.g., including the useful tip to use the “two finger swipe technique” to properly scroll pages when using the Safari browser on iPad when searching Westlaw or Lexis – see video here for the technique, which works), the reality is that the iPad has been for me an entertainment device.

While I was successfully able to use the iPad in place of a laptop on a recent 1-week business/pleasure trip (with the business-side of things largely being checking email, taking notes and doing some online searches), I am enjoying it most for fun stuff.

Although I realize there is clearly more important world issues at stake, for those who don’t mind a break from substantive legal issues, set out below are some must have fun apps (realize this is my first Apple product ever, so I don’t want to be accused of being too keen on the product):

- Slayer HD Pinball (Pinball HD is also good, better than ESPN Pinball)

- Doodlejump (for iPhone but works well on iPad): best game ever, although my high score is only 24,110

- Plants versus Zombies HD

- FlightControl HD

- Angry Birds HD

- Scrabble

- New York Times Crossword Subscription

I found Real Racing HD interesting (you steer by tilting the device) but not something that would last beyond an initial try. Ditto re Labyrinth 2 HD. I was also not impressed with Pac-Man, finding the controls too hard to maneuver. Although not a game, I liked Corkulous for organizing lists and other information. For book readers, I find the most choice for content and cheaper prices using the Kindle for iPad. Like Simon, I am using Dropbox and also Evernote for my “cloud” working environment but also purchased DocsToGo without having used it much.

To make the time commuting by public transit pass more quickly, I find watching movie rentals or purchases from iTunes, although expensive, to be a satisfactory experience holding the device on my lap (although it is true what they say about the glare – it is hard to view content in bright sunlight).

Now back to more serious stuff.

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on July 07, 2010 (boomark / email).