Law Office of William F. Underwood - March 2019

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DIGITAL HOME ASSISTANT

More and more people are welcoming in the Amazon Echo or the Google Home into their spaces. Everyone knows they make great Bluetooth speakers and can tell you the weather forecast, but they’re also capable of so much more. Digital assistants can do a variety of tasks depending on how much you want them to do for you. For example, if you want your digital assistant to be heavily involved in your daily life, you can use the Echo or the Home as the core of your “connected home.” You can connect numerous compatible devices to these assistants, including other Bluetooth or networked speakers, lights, thermostats, coffee makers, refrigerators, and even microwaves. Of course, therein lies the challenge — you must have compatible devices to make a connected home efficient. And let’s be honest: Many of us aren’t going to buy a connected fridge or Wi-Fi enabled lightbulbs just to get the most out of our digital assistants. What you can do, however, is make use of what you already have. Here are some ways to put your digital assistants to work without committing to a connected home.

have a few Echo Dots or Google Home Minis? If you do, you’re set. You can communicate in any room where another device is present.

Your digital assistant can also make outgoing calls. As long as the device has access to your contacts (or the person you’re trying to contact has an Echo or Home), you can easily make the connection. Want to send a text message? No problem! You can dictate a text to anyone in your smartphone’s contact list and send it without ever touching your phone. Aside from communications, the assistants can handle calendars, appointments, emails, and more. You can ask for information relevant to you, like “When is my flight again?” Google Home can recognize your voice, or the voice of anyone in the house, and respond accordingly. There’s no worry that anyone’s calendar or appointments will be mixed up with yours. If you want to learn more, search for tutorials online. We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to what these digital assistants can do for you.

Both the Echo and the Home make excellent communication hubs. In the home, they can be used as a local intercom system. Do you

DEPOSITION DECREES PREPARING FOR YOUR SWORN STATEMENTS IN COURT

As you move through the intricacies of your case, you may be faced with a deposition. These witness examinations are similar to an interview and are typically done in an

when answering uncomfortable questions. Defensive and argumentative remarks will only work against you.

SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY Your answers are being recorded, so you will need to talk clearly, slowly, and loudly. This will give the recording device the best chance to accurately record your responses, and it will avoid confusion later. STICK TO THE FACTS Keep in mind that even in a civil case, you are under oath. Do not guess, and if you don’t know the answer, say you do not know the answer. You are also allowed to ask the opposing lawyer to clarify their question to help you understand it better. BE CONCISE Do not try to speculate what the lawyer may ask next by answering more than the question asked. Sticking with simple “yes” and “no” answers will keep you in control of the information that is divulged, and it will put the onus on the experts hired by both sides to dictate the flow of questions. Don’t prepare for your deposition alone. Our legal experts at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C., can help. Give us a call at 229-888-0888.

attorney’s office with a court reporter present. It’s an opportunity for each side to learn what a witness knows about a case, and these are a common and necessary part of personal injury law. Despite their normalcy, giving a deposition can be stressful and exhausting. Prepare for your upcoming deposition with the following tips from our experts. FOLLOWYOUR LAWYER’S ADVICE Your attorney is the expert on both your case and the law, so your best bet is to listen to their cautionary advice about how to answer questions. Additionally, divulge any and all information about your case to your attorney, even if you don’t believe it is necessary. Your lawyer will only be able to adequately give you advice if they know every aspect of your case. BE PROFESSIONAL The saying, “First impressions are everything,” is never truer than in a deposition. Wear comfortable and clean business attire, speak calmly, and keep your composure, even

2 | 229-888-0888

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online