Search results for "iannotate"

Legal Workflow: Sign A Document on your iPad Using iAnnotate

By on May 8, 2011 in Legal Workflows

In this workflow, we’ll cover how to make a reusable signature stamp in iAnnotate (iTunes link) that can be used to sign documents. In an earlier workflow, we covered a similar process in Readdle’s PDF Expert (iTunes link) which uses a dedicated document signing interface to make this annotation. While PDF Expert is great when signing an occasional document, if you need to sign many documents (or otherwise make a repeated custom annotation of any sort), you will want to consider iAnnotate.

iAnnotate is a complicated, powerful app – so lots of steps. Don’t get lost! Here’s how to do it.

1 – In iAnnotate with a PDF file open, make a long press (about half a second) to bring up the contextual annotation menu. Select “Drawing…” and from the submenu, select “Finger.”

First select "drawing" then select "finger."

2 – Using your finger, sign the document. Sign in a comfortable size (we will resize later). If you make a mistake, tap “Undo” and try again. When you are happy with the signature, tap the “X” to close the annotation interface.

Create your signature. Don't worry about size right now.

3 – Tap your newly created signature. It will be enclosed in a box with tome tools at the top. Tap the color bar button to edit the color of the signature, the pen thickness and the opacity.

The edit tools are at the top of the selection box.

Adjust signature color and pen thickness.

4 – When you are happy with the format, tap your signature and you will see the annotation edit tools again. This time tap the stamp tool. You’ll be prompted to name the stamp and save it to your stamp library. Now we can insert the stamp.

Saving the signature to your stamp library.

5 – Tap and hold a PDF in the location you want to sign. Select “Stamp” from the contextual menu and then find your stamp in the stamp library by browsing or searching by name (if you just created it, it will be preselected). Selecting the signature stamp will insert it into the PDF.

Select "stamp" from the contextual menu.

Select from your stamp library.

6 – Not the right size? Tap the signature you just inserted to reveal some edit buttons. The crossed arrows button is the “transform” feature. Selecting it will allow you to edit the size or location of the signature annotation (pinch to resize and drag to move).

Adjust size and placement with arrow handle tool.

You made it! You can see how using iAnnotate for this task makes more sense if inserting a custom stamp is a task you plan to repeat. If so, iAnnotate can make it easier still by dedicating a button on the main interface just for that stamp (we’ll cover that in another workflow.)

Are you using the iPad to sign or custom stamp PDF files? Let us know in the comments.

Comments { 0 }

New Apps for Lawyers: PDF Annotation App Shootout (Part 4 of a Series)

By on December 21, 2010 in Apps, Reviews

So here we are in episode 4 of 7 planned posts about basic apps a lawyer needs to outfit an iPad into a functional working rig. Nothing fancy in the app categories – just the basics. And when I think about my basic workflows, not a day goes by where I don’t spend at least some time with PDF files. I suspect I’m not alone as some of the most popular posts here at TabletLegal are those discussing PDF Annotation apps. So I decided to do this one a little differently.

There are really four contenders in this area (if there are others that I’ve missed, please let me know). In alphabetical order:

  • Aji’s iAnnotate
  • Goodiware’s Goodreader
  • omz software’s PDF Highlighter
  • Readdle’s PDF Expert

I’ve probably been a little partial to Goodreader in my coverage at TabletLegal simply because it fits my workflow really well. But, my workflow isn’t the same as your workflow. I needed to expand my horizons so I spent a few days putting all four of these apps through their paces.

Unsatisfied with a simple textual summary of my work I decided to really break it down. How better than a 4 page spreadsheet (in PDF of course) comparing and contrasting features of these four apps in over 25 categories that I thought would be of primary interest to a lawyer. The spreadsheet is linked at the end of this post for perusal at your leisure.

But I’m not sending you off to figure it all out on your own. I did come to some conclusions, but probably not the ones you are expecting. I’m not saying which app is the “best” or the “worst.” Rather, each app has its own strengths and weaknesses. The good news is that all four all handle the basics great – if you need to highlight while reading and make a couple notes, then any of these will work fine. Beyond that, the app that is best for you depends on your workflow. I break it down like this:

Aji’s iAnnotate. You want iAnnotate if you live in PDFs. The power feature of this app is its ability to have multiple PDF files open in separate tabs that you can quickly flip between. If you are a heavy PDF user, you won’t mind the nonstandard interface of this app because you can customize it to fit your workflow exactly. You’ll also be spending enough time in this app to learn and appreciate every feature described in the 36 page on-board user guide. Powerful file management tools will help you keep boxes worth of documents organized.

iAnnotate - Multiple PDFs in Tabs



Goodiware’s Goodreader. Consider Goodreader if you have basic to moderate annotation needs and PDF is one part of a multi-piece workflow. A fairly standard interface for accessing annotation tools will allow you to get your work done quickly. Lowest price makes it a good place to get started while also handling the necessary file management needs for almost every other file type you might come in contact with.

Goodreader - File Management and PDF Annotation



omz software’s PDF Highlighter. This is the 1.0 app in the group (actually, 1.1 just released), but still a very competent offering. Use PDF Highlighter if your needs are pretty straightforward. I think PDF Highlighter may be ideal for someone referencing PDFs with unfamiliar content because of the integrated Wikipedia lookup. I can imagine sifting through a stack of depositions with medical terms or technical client documents where the ability to tap on a word and get wikipedia feedback could be tremendously useful.

Highlighter - Graphic Annotation Summary



Readdle’s PDF Expert. This app is almost as feature loaded as iAnnotate with a very strong organizational side and a very usable interface. If you need to fill out PDF forms, then you must use PDF Expert as it is the only app supporting forms at this point. PDF Expert’s file management tools will suit the heavy PDF user and its ease of use will appeal to even one-off uses.

PDF Expert - Fillable PDF Forms



You’ll see that the spreadsheet is labeled “Version 1.0.” I suspect I’ve made some mistakes which I’ll correct as I find them or folks bring them to my attention. These apps will also be updated and I’ll try to reflect those updates in the grid. I’ll refine and expand on some categories and possibly drop others as a refine my thoughts about these apps as tools for a lawyer’s workflow. I’ll also be sticking a link to this spreadsheet in the sidebar of TabletLegal so it is easy to access.

So there you have it. Let me know what I’ve missed and what is working best for you.

Here is the PDF Annotation App Shootout Summary Spreadsheet Version 1.0.

Links to App Store:

  • iAnnotate PDF – Aji, LLC
  • GoodReader for iPad – Good.iWare Ltd.
  • PDF Highlighter – omz:software
  • PDF Expert – Readdle
    • Comments { 20 }

    Using the iPad to Create PDFs

    By on November 7, 2010 in Tips

    I’ve received a few questions lately about how to create a PDF file from the iPad for use in annotation apps like iAnnotate (iTunes link), GoodReader (iTunes link) and a new entrant in this area, PDFHighlighter (iTunes link). The assumption here is that you don’t have someone back at the office who can e-mail the file to you as a PDF to start with. This can be done, though the two main methods of doing so each have trade offs:

    • Create a PDF from an iPad Word Processing App. A couple of the iPad word processing apps allow files to be exported to PDF within the app. Pages (iTunes link) is one example as is Office 2 HD (iTunes link). The main advantage of this approach is that the entire process is local to the iPad. No outside applications or services are required. You don’t even need an internet connection. This flexibility comes with a disadvantage. The PDF rendering engine in these apps depends on the app’s file viewer. As my Word compatibility shootouts have indicated (basic formatting, pleading formatting, contract formatting forthcoming), the iPad word processors are far from WYSIWYG. As a result, the PDF export created with these apps will only be as good as what you see on the iPad.

    • Create a PDF Using an Online Service. This approach requires use of an outside service. There are a number of online services that can convert an e-mail attachment to a PDF and e-mail it back to you. One such service is PDFOnline and another is the service connected to the Zosh app (iTunes link). The advantage of these services is that the PDF rendering is extremely faithful to the document’s original formatting – just as good as what you could create at your desktop. Another advantage is that the text in the files these services create is usable: copy, paste, underline, strikethrough, search, etc. I find that I far prefer this type of PDF (as opposed to a PDF which is simply an image of the document). Both of these options are free (the Zosh app is $2.99 but converting documents to PDF is free). One disadvantage of this approach is that you need an internet connection to take advantage of these services. Both work by the user sending an e-mail with the document to be converted to the service and the service replies with a PDF formatted version of the document. No Internet connection = no PDF. Another issue involves privacy. Lawyers have different opinions about whether sending documents through these types of services is a privilege or confidentiality issue. The answer to this is beyond the scope of this blog, but you should consider your state’s law, your firm’s policies and the terms of service and privacy policies for these services (PDFOnline Terms and Privacy Policy / Zosh TOS / Zosh Privacy Policy). Concern about this issue should be considered in the context of the security practices (and typically absence thereof) followed by some lawyers and law firms with respect to servers, mobile devices and e-mail. Does everyone have a password on their mobile device?

    Is this a need you have in your practice? How are you getting your PDFs for annotation while on the go? Let us know in the comments?

    Comments { 4 }

    Enterprise Adoption of iPad: What about Lawyers

    By on October 28, 2010 in Opinion

    The Unofficial Apple Weblog writes today about a Forrester report (subscription required) authored by Ted Schadler about the impact of the iPad in the enterprise market. While not discussing lawyers or law firms specifically, I considered how Schadler’s findings might apply to law firms.

    • iPads Are Replacing Laptops. This is fairly unsurprising. Most computer users have a limited list of computing needs, many of which are handled more than adequately by the iPad. When coupled with the added benefits of the iPad (instant on, light weight, long battery, lower cost compared to many laptops, etc.), the replacement phenomenon isn’t surprising. I haven’t seen more than anecdotal evidence of laptop replacement among the lawyer set which is surprising considering the typical short list of lawyer computing needs: reading, writing, email, calendar, contacts, internet. All of these are handled well by the iPad. However, lawyers often deal with lots of files. File management on the iPad is much different than on a PC and does require some extra effort.

    • iPads Are Replacing Paper. Again, no real surprise here. The iPad is great way to replace all kinds of materials that would otherwise be printed. In the legal field, I don’t see this attitude among lawyers in large numbers. I know many of my colleagues feel they can only edit or review a document in its printed form. Also, my quick survey reveals few legal treatises available in eReader editions (though ample law school and bar exam study materials are available for the iPad). Perhaps the willingness to abandon paper is an attitude that will grow with the next generation of legal professionals (assuming they can get law jobs).

    • iPads Are Creating New Efficiencies. The example in the Forrester report is of the ability of sales personnel to use the device to customize a customer’s order on the showroom floor. There are certainly some legal specific apps and some apps published by law firms, though I don’t see these as yielding huge efficiencies for lawyers (though nice tools, to be sure). Two areas where I do think the iPad offers lawyers huge opportunities for efficiencies is in document review/annotation, particularly of PDF files, and access to legal information (cases, statutes, treatises). As to PDF document review, Both GoodReader (iTunes link) and iAnnotate (iTunes link) offer very good PDF review and annotation tools though they aren’t specifically designed for high volume document review. The iPad offers a way for lawyers to easily bring what otherwise would fill boxes of documents and review those easily. Similarly, with an iPad a lawyer can have volumes worth of books easily accessible at the touch of a button – whether stored locally (though as noted above, this hasn’t appeared yet) or accessible via the Internet. I haven’t yet seen the first story of extensive and comprehensive document review being conducted on iPads, though I am sure the time is coming.

    Schadler notes that the absence of a native Microsoft Office suite of apps may slow adoption in enterprise. As applied to lawyers, I think this is unquestionably the case. I know that the posts on this blog about Microsoft Word compatibility issues get far and away the most hits, comments and emails.

    Word compatibility was a top question I received in a recent presentation to a group of lawyers and CPAs. This surprised me at least as to this particular group of lawyers as I know that all of them use their assistants to finalize and format everything in Word. In actuality, all they really need is a way to get text down on paper (screen) and their assistants handle the rest. Even with this reality, a native Word app is seen as a must by these users (I realize that lawyers that practice without assistants may not be similarly situated).

    Any barriers that you see to further penetration of the iPad in the legal market? What type of app or resource could make the iPad as ubiquitous as the yellow pad?

    Comments { 6 }

    New PDF Annotation Tool for Lawyers on iPad: GoodReader 3.0

    By on September 30, 2010 in Apps

    Big update for GoodReader (iTunes link) today adding PDF annotations support to its powerful file management features. Among the features included in this 3.0 update are:

    • supports for creation and viewing of PDF annotations in 7 colors including sticky notes (comments), highlighting, underline, strike through, and drawings (rectangle, circle, oval, arrow, lines, freehand)
    • annotations made in GoodReader are viewable in any iPad or desktop app that displays standard PDF markups
    • copy and paste text from PDF files
    • support to display and partially edit (but cannot create) special annotation types such as text boxes with callouts, polygons and polylines, “squiggly” underlines, “cloudy” shapes, rubber stamps, file attachments

    Bunch of other new features that you can learn more about in the App Store (the GoodReader website has not been updated as of this writing). I am happy to see some competition in the PDF annotation space as iAnnotate is the only other real app really providing these features (I reviewed iAnnotate here and discussed its most recent big update here). Hopefully the competition will spur additional developments from both developers. I think lawyers will appreciate the ability to have file management features and PDF editing features in one application that GoodReader now provides.

    My initial impressions of the app are good. I was able to successfully annotate a document, e-mail it out, and view the document with annotations on my desktop and in iAnnotate. I prefer the GoodReader interface for selecting annotation tools compared to the button intensive interface of iAnnotate. That said, I am keeping both apps on my iPad for now as I test them out.

    One clear advantage GoodReader has now over iAnnotate is in price. GoodReader with it’s comprehensive file management tools as well as PDF annotation capabilities is a mere $.99 (iTunes link). By comparison, iAnnotate will set you back a full $9.99 (iTunes link).

    Comments { 20 }
    iPad Apps: How TabletLegal Surfs the App Store

    iPad Apps: How TabletLegal Surfs the App Store

    By on September 8, 2010 in Apps, Tips

    I was just responding to a reader e-mail and thought the question and my (non-)answer would be worth sharing here. Reader Tom asks:

    Do you know of any reviews of iPad time tracking apps? I cannot remember if I have seen any, and I am interested in looking into one for my practice. I searched the 3 iPad law blogs I know and I didn’t find anything so I thought I would sent you a quick mail to ask.

    Thanks,
    Tom

    Because of the systems my firm uses to track time, this hasn’t been a need for me. As a result, I haven’t investigated this very legitimate use for the iPad. Like any good lawyer, I turned the question into one I could respond to:

    Tom

    Hey, thanks for your e-mail. I don’t know of time tracking apps off the top of my head. Good idea of something for me to explore and report on. The great iPhone blog, iPhone JD, has covered a number of time tracking apps in this post (which links to a bunch more as well). Of course, those will all be functional on the iPad.

    I did a quick search of the store and see a few apps that look interesting. A few notes about what I’m seeing and how I cull through choices on the App Store.

  • One thing I look for in apps is the frequency of updates. For example, TDF Tracker (iTunes link) is on version 1.5 and was last updated August 20. That is a good sign. Similarly, QuickTimer (iTunes link) was recently updated to version 1.9.4 on August 4.
  • I also look at the comments. What I’m particularly looking for is evidence that the app developers are reading and responding to comments. For example, on the TDF Tracker I mentioned, looks like a recent update specifically added the ability to track time in tenths of an hour based on an attorney-user comment.
  • I like apps that provide a Lite or free version. Some of the time tracking apps are close to $10. Not enough to break you, but too much to be able to buy 4-5 to try them out. I see that QuickTimer has a Lite version (iTunes link).
  • I do look at the customer ratings, but I take them with a grain of salt. You can usually suss out which are shills or complainers to get a better sense of what is worth trying.
  • I’m an interface snob. I really closely review the screenies and any additional interface hints given at the developer’s website. For example, Time Master + Billing (iTunes link) has some additional screens at its website.

    • Hope that gives you some guidance. I’ll dig into a couple of these and consider for more in depth reviews

    Josh

    Two other items worth considering that I didn’t mention to Tom:

    • Always check out the developer website if you can. This gives me a better sense of what kind of folks are developing an app and what kind of community the app has behind it. If the developer has a user run help forum on the web, even better
    • If an app doesn’t work for you, check back in 3 months to see if there have been any updates. Early versions of iPad software are still routinely a mess even though the device has been out for 6 months now. I had this exact experience with iAnnotate, the pdf annotation tool (iTunes link). pdf annotation is a critical tool for mobile lawyers. Even though iAnnotate had a version in the app store very early on, it had a lot of flaws. A large number of these flaws were addressed in the first major update of the app and additional features and fixes have been added since. It is now on my home screen and a frequently used tool.
    Comments { 1 }

    iPad Use Case for Lawyers: Lunch Meeting

    By on June 1, 2010 in Tips

    The other day I had a lunch meeting scheduled with a potential client. Part of the meeting was going to involve my take on a number of documents provided by the client. In preparing for the lunch, I knew that I wanted to be able to refer to a number of provisions throughout the documents as well as my notes. While flagging the relevant provisions and bringing the stack to lunch would have been doable, I decided to use the iPad.

    To do this, I scanned the relevant documents and saved them into my Dropbox from my desktop computer. While I walked from my office to the elevator, I used GoodReader to pull the documents onto my iPad (no wifi at this restaurant). As we began our discussion, I opened my notes in GoodReader in portrait mode and locked the iPad’s screen orientation. The iPad sat on my right, no bigger than a pad of paper. I folded the Apple case back on itself and locked it in the angled position which put the screen at a perfect viewing angle.

    As the client and I discussed the issues, I was able to quickly pull up the relevant documents. With the screen rotation locked, we were able to pass the iPad back and forth like a pad of paper without the iPad trying to reorient itself every second. I was able to jot a few notes by quickly flipping to Penultimate. Using my finger to scratch a quick note worked as well as a notepad in this case.

    All in all, it worked well. I hadn’t marked my PDFs with bookmarks so it was a little cumbersome to refer to particular provisions in longer documents. I will do that next time. The presentation was well received by the client and the iPad kept things clean and organized. Next time I try this I may use iAnnotate to organize and present the documents. With the ability to open multiple files at once, view highlighting, create new notes on the fly and bookmark support, iAnnotate could be an excellent tool for the job.

    Comments { 2 }

    iAnnotate Updated: PDF Annotation on iPad

    By on May 19, 2010 in Apps

    Looks like iAnnotate, the leading tool for annotating PDF files on the iPad, has been updated. I haven’t used the update yet, but I have confirmed that it is in the App Store. Looks like lots of great improvements. The developer of iAnnotate just left a comment to my review from a couple weeks ago giving you a highlight of the new features.

    Excellent review, Josh. I wanted to let you know that iAnnotate has been updated! Along with lots of file transfer optimizations for your workflow (ie pulling from Email, Dropbox/GoodReader, etc.) we revised the UI.

    You can now send and receive PDFs easily within the app, use two fingers to scroll while editing, read/send text summaries of all annotations, and more.

    Check out the details on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iannotate-pdf/id363998953?mt=8
    Forum: http://www.ajidev.com/forum/

    Making great software is always a work in progress, and we’re listening to your feedback on our forums and looking to iterate often!

    I’ll review in full in the next few days and give you my thoughts here. Great to see active development of these apps for lawyers!

    Comments { 6 }

    One Lawyer’s Home Page Apps

    By on May 5, 2010 in Apps

    Like many iPad users, I put my most frequently used apps on the home page of my iPad. After a recent round of promotion and relegation, I thought I’d profile my home page apps along with comments about recent moves. I think these are very representative of my workflow and how I use the iPad. Also, not necessarily a dig if an app gets bumped off the front page. Usually just means I don’t use it frequently enough to warrant a top spot. Links will take you directly into iTunes.

    My Home Page

    Home Page Apps

    Recently Relegated – These apps were recently dropped from my home page

    • Pages. Sorry, Apple. Pages is a beautiful and functional word processor, but it doesn’t fit my workflow. Most of the text editing I do is in plain text with formatting and editing done back at the desktop. For those tasks, emailed text or Simplenote (with TextExpander) are ideal.
    • Weatherbug. One of the first apps I acquired. Accuweather puts today’s weather and the forecast front and center, which best reflects my weather needs. If I was a little more of a weather hound, I would probably appreciate Weatherbug’s focus on the maps. I still think Weatherbug is a great example of app design for the iPad.
    • WordPress. This app needs some updates. If they can get TextExpander integration and stabilize the app, this might be able to break back onto the front page. Needs to work at least as well as Simplenote (which is a tall order).

    On the Bubble – These apps are potential candidates for home page status

    • LogMeIn Ignition. Killer screen virtualization app. I just don’t use it frequently enough to warrant home page status.
    • 1Password. Great app for managing your passwords and logins on the go. Allows you to have properly unique and strong passwords without having to remember them. These folks also just came out with a beta for Windows, so everyone can join in the 1Password greatness.
    • PrintCentral. My app of choice for printing from the iPad. I love it, but I’m not doing it with enough frequency to warrant first page status. Wish the interface was cleaner and easier to understand.

    What apps are on your home page? Send me a screen cap of your home page along with whatever comments you want to share and I may just post it up here at TabletLegal.

    Comments { 4 }

    PDF Annotation on the iPad for Lawyers: iAnnotate

    By on May 2, 2010 in Reviews

    One app many lawyers have been looking is a good PDF annotation tool. I was surprised to find that there was really only one dedicated annotation tool in the App Store: iAnnotate by Aji (iTunes link).

    I’ve been trying out iAnnotate for a few days now. As expected, the iPad is a natural device for reading and marking up PDF files and iAnnotate is a very competent annotation tool. I think it is a must have app for any iPad carrying attorney. That said, there is definitely room for improvement, both in the feature set and in the interface. I’m hoping that another good annotation tool arrives on the scene and the competition drives the development of this critical tool for lawyers.

    Getting PDF files into iAnnotate

    In The current version, there are three ways that I discovered to get PDF files into iAnnotate for use. The first method is to use the iAnnotate Reader Service. This small application, once installed on your desktop computer, makes PDF files in folders you specify visible to iAnnotate via your local network. PDF files in subfolders of specified folders are also accessible. In my tests, is method worked successfully, though I was frustrated by the extra steps this method takes. While there are ore methods of getting PDF files on the device, this is the only method if you want to take advantage of certain of certain of iAnnotate’s advanced annotation features (more on that later).

    Document Sharing

    I was also able to successfully get docs into iAnnotate via my preferred file manager / reader application GoodReader (iTunes link). Good Reader is one of a number of applications that takes advantage of the Document Sharing features of the iPhone OS. From the manage Files pane of GoodReader, you can select “Open In…” and be presented with a list of installed apps that handle PDF files.

    This inter app connectivity is also available in the stock Mail app. Viewing a PDF attachment to an email presents you with an “Open In…” button in the top right corner that, once selected, will allow you to open the file in Annotate.

    Because Dropbox is my “files on the go” tool of choice, the GoodReader route works well for me because GoodReader connects to Dropbox. I also prefer this method over the iAnnotate Reader Service as Dropbox doesn’t require me to be connected to my local network.

    Importing via iAnnotate Reader Service

    That said, in the current version, the iAnnotate Reader Service is necessary is you want to take full advantage of the annotation tools in iAnnotate (like search, text highlight, underline, strike rough), if you want to share your annotations or if you want to transfer them back to the desktop. The reason for this is that the annotations in PDF (not just iAnnotate, but any app, desktop or otherwise) reside in a metadata layer that can ride along with a PDF file. Withoutis metadata layer, pdf files are just images. The iAnnotate Reader Service uses some mojo to make sure this metadata layer is readable by the iAnnotate app.

    Nonfunctional "Read" and "Mail" buttons in iAnnotate

    iAnnotate says that rendering this metadata is a processor intensive task that is better done on the desktop. iAnnotate claims that this rendering can also be done in app, though I haven’t been able to accomplish it this way yet. I see a “Read” button in the file info viewer in iAnnotate which I expected to do the metadata work in-app. So far, tapping that button is without effect.

    iAnnotate also says that the ability to share annotations via email will be included in the next version of the app.

    Annotating Documents

    The interface for iAnnotate is unique when considered alongside other iPad apps. Rather than the typical approach of creating contextually appropriate menus from a set of icons at the top of the app, iAnnotate uses customizable button bars along the edges of the viewing area. Tapping on an annotation tool takes you out of navigation mode and into that tool’s annotation mode.

    Sample of all annotation tools in iAnnotate

    iAnnotate annotation tools include the following, most all of which can be done in whatever color you choose.

    • highlighting
    • strikethrough
    • underline
    • freehand drawing
    • sticky note style comments
    • bookmarking

    Note that the highlight, underline, and strikeout annotations are only available in PDF files that have come in through the iAnnotate Reader Service as they require the metadata file described above. Also, while you can view annotations that existed in the original PDF document, those original annotations are not editable. iAnnotate says the ability to edit existing annotations will come in a future update.

    Getting Annotated Documents Out of iAnnotate

    The main way to get documents out of iAnnotate is again through the iAnnotate Reader Service. Emailing from the app is not yet enabled but is promised in the next version. Exported documents opened properly in Acrobat and Preview. Annotations from iAnnotate appeared properly as well.

    Other Features

    iAnnotate offers the ability to customize the content and location of the button bars in the app. You can browse/annotate multiple PDF files at one time using the apps unique tabbed browsing feature. I think this is a is tremendously helpful feature for lawyers who often have multiple sources open at one time. Text within PDF files (having the accompanying metadata file) can be copied and pasted into other apps.

    Gripes

    My gripes are mostly small things, some of which are promised to be addressed in the next version. I’m not crazy about the iAnnotate Reader App. I need to be able to pull a PDF out of email or my Dropbox and be able to edit right then. I can’t be tethered to my local network to get the metadata file iAnnotate needs for certain of its tools.

    One thing I’m hoping continues to evolve is the interface. Put simply, I don’t particularly care for the interface of iAnnotate – which is to say I think it is ugly (and nonstandard) – even if functional. The app reminds me of what you get when a PC developer makes a Mac app. While I recognize that I’m an admitted interface snob, I initially held off on purchasing the app because of what I could tell about the interface from the App Store.

    iAnnotate "New"

    Simple Note "New"

    While an extensive tour of the interface quirks would really detract from an otherwise positive review and solid app, let me mention a couple examples. Have a look at the “New” button in iAnnotate and compare that withthe “New” button in Apple apps like Contacts, Calendar, Notes and in third party apps like Simple Note (iTunes link) (where this review was largely written). I’m unconvinced that the iAnnotate “New” button is more functional than these starker alternatives or worth whatever extra design effort went into making it.

    Compare also the button bars of iAnnotate to the sliding toolbar of an app like Docs 2 (iTunes link) (part of Office 2 HD reviewed last week). The sliding toolbar offers more functions in less screen real estate. The iconography is clean and understandable. Perhaps this is an aspect of the app that will evolve over time.  Again, I recognize that this may just be a personal preference, which is why my recommendation is otherwise quite positive.

    Recommendation

    I think iAnnotate is a must have app for any lawyer that uses PDF files. All the critical annotation tools are there and easy to use. The output from iAnnotate integrates seamlessly with your desktop PDF tools. Though the app is still developing in certain areas, it is a very capable first release that I look forward to seeing develop.

    iAnnotate is available in the App Store for $6.99 (iTunes link). The price will go up to $9.99 once the first update is released (though no response to my inquiries of Aji as to when this might be).

    Comments { 18 }