Google Photos

We all use our phones as cameras, but many of us find it difficult to transfer pictures from the phone to a computer or some other device.  We end up letting the pictures fill up on our phone and then have to figure out what to do when it is time for a new phone.  Worse, we break our phone and lose all those pictures forever.

There are numerous ways, of course, to get photos off of the phone. One of the most convenient is Google Photos.  This can be installed as an App on your Android or iPhone.  You can configure the app, so that all photos are immediately uploaded to Google's cloud storage.

There are several things I find particularly attractive about Google Photos.  First, there is no storage limit.  You may upload and store as many photos as you like without ever having to pay extra storage fees.  There is no need to worry about limits.  Second, once it is configured, it works without you having to do anything.  Just take a picture and you are done.  It will upload automatically.  Third, access to the photos is easy.  Just go to http://photos.google.com and see all of your photos (assuming you are already logged into your Google account).

You can leave the photos on the site, share them with others, or download them for use elsewhere.  No need to worry about transferring between devices or losing them when a computer dies.  If you have photos stored on your PC, you can also upload them manually to the Photos site for permanent free cloud storage.

Photo size is limited to 16 megapixels for the unlimited storage.  This is not a problem for pictures taken with your Galaxy or iPhone as neither phone can take pictures above that level.  It may be an issue if you are uploading high quality pictures from another device.  If you want the unlimited storage, Google will automatically reduce the photos to the required levels for storage.

Video can also be uploaded and stored.  Again, there is a limit that the video of 1080p HD.  But again, that will suffice for most people.  Your phones are not capable of higher video quality.

If you delete a photo from the web site, it will also delete from any synced devices, such as your phone.  So do not delete from there if you want to keep the photo.  You may, however, delete a photo from your phone and keep it stored in the cloud.

Also, if you plan to store pictures there forever, remember that if you leave the firm and we shut down your Google account, those photos will go with them.  If you are taking personal photos, you may want to sync them to a personal Gmail account that you control.

iTimeKeep v.2 Updates

I received the following message from iTimeKeep.  They are upgrading their Version 2 release with some requested additions.  Below are the details.  If you have auto-updates turned on for your phone or tablet, you should get this updated app automatically.

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback since our Version 2 release. We have been hard at work to continue to meet our customers’ needs. We are excited to announce that we will be releasing an update to both our mobile and desktop applications on Wednesday, December 16th!  What is included in the update? Ability to Submit All While the new version of iTimeKeep gives your attorneys the flexibility to individually submit timecards, we understand that the change in workflow might have slowed down some attorneys that are already used to submitting timecards all at once.For those entries that are created as “drafts,” attorneys will have the ability to submit all of those entries at once. Check out a screenshot of what to expect to see with the update! For additional information, click here. Calendar View We understand that attorneys want the ability to see the whole picture as it relates to their worked hours. So, we have created a new feature within iTimeKeep called the “Calendar View”. The “Calendar View” will allow users to see a complete daily total of all their submitted, draft, and errored time entries. Check out a screenshot of what to expect to see with the update! For additional information, click here. What is included in the update? The current mobile iTimeKeep application will update by an automatic update or having your users manually update the current application. These actions are dependent upon the users’ app settings on their device. In case your users need to manually update the current version of iTimeKeep to gain access to the new feature, here are two documents that will be helpful to pass along. How to update an iOS device How to update an Android device The iTimeKeep desktop application will automatically update without the users taking any action. If you have any questions regarding the update, please contact our Product Manager at product@bellefield.com. Sincerely, The Bellefield Team Copyright © 2015, Bellefield Systems All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a registered iTimeKeep user. Bellefield Systems 2605 Nicholson Road Suite 202 Sewickley, PA 15143 Add us to your address book

iCore Communicator

Our phone accounts also come with a license to use a software program called "communicator".  This is a program that you can install on a computer, tablet, or cell phone that gives you the ability to make and receive calls as if you were in front of your office phone.  It also gives you access to voicemail and allows you to do a number of other things.

Firm policy allows only attorneys and other non-hourly employees to use Communicator.  Hourly employees are expected to use their phones only, since they should not be making or receiving work calls when not at work and on the clock.  If you have some wish to use Communicator on your computer in the office, please contact Michael Troy to explain why and get approval first.

You must install the Communicator application.  Your license permits you to install the program only on one computer and up to three tablets or phones.  So don't try to install it everywhere.

If you want the computer version of the software (PC or Mac) you can download it here:

http://www.icore.com/support/icore-one-communicator-download/

If you want the software for your Android or IOS device, you can download those for free from the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store respectively.  Just search for "icore communicator".  Note that there may be separate apps for tablets and phones.

Once installed, you will need to log in using your full 10 digit phone number as your user name. Please contact Michael Troy to get your password.

From there, you can view a list of callers, look up numbers, make or receive calls, or change some of your work phone settings.

If you are using this app on your cell phone, note that it uses your data rather than cell phone minutes for calls.  If you are connected to Wifi on your phone, the call will use neither minutes nor mobile data.

Phone Hoteling - for the Lawyer on the go.

Perhaps you occasionally or often need to work in another office.  You would like to be able to receive calls, but don't want to deal with all the calls on your cell phone.  There is a phone at the location where you are working, but it does not have your number on it.  This is where the phones "hoteling" feature comes in handy.

Hoteling allows you to set up temporarily any phone in the firm with your phone number.  We just need to know the extension of the phone where you are sitting.  From that, we can configure your calls to ring directly to that phone.  Further, any calls you make from that phone will identify you as you, rather than the name of the phone you are using.  It will also alert you about pending voicemail messages.

Hoteling is really limited to the phone number itself though.  It will not import your favorites or other settings you may have on your permanent phone.  The LCD screen does not change at all.  Hoteling also will not work with phones outside the firm.  Also, while you hoteling, calls to the host phone will go directly to voicemail.

With those limitations, hoteling can be a valuable tool if you are visiting another office and want to keep in touch.  If you have the need, feel free to call the help desk to set it up for you.