Thomson Reuters Introduces Its iPad App for WestlawNext

WestlawNext comprehensive mobile strategy comes to the tablet PC

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Aug 27, 2010, 01:12 ET

EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters has optimized its new legal research system, WestlawNext™, specifically for iPad™ users. The iPad offers exciting capabilities for the lawyer on the go – greater portability than a laptop and a large, high-resolution Multi-Touch™ display that makes it far more functional for legal research than a smartphone. The new iPad app is available at the App Store free of charge to all current subscribers of WestlawNext.

iPad users will experience all the power, performance and ease of use of WestlawNext, just as if they were at their desktops or laptops. Designed to take advantage of the iPad's large display and Multi-Touch screen, the WestlawNext iPad app will allow legal professionals to conduct research and organize their research wherever they take their iPad, from the courtroom to the airport terminal to the subway.

The WestlawNext app transforms the iPad into a powerful tool for the legal profession. Offering comprehensive features and legal content, the WestlawNext iPad app always reflects the current status of the law and is the only app for legal research that synchronizes with a customer's desktop and any smartphone.

"With the WestlawNext iPad app, attorneys can tap into their research from anywhere and all of their research is synchronized across Web-enabled devices," said James Jarvis, senior director of Westlaw Product Design. "Whether an attorney is working on a BlackBerry®, an iPhone®, a laptop or an iPad, they can continue to build on the research they've already started."

The functionality and increased screen size of the iPad allows users to perform a range of easier tasks such as finding, viewing and sending documents, which many mobile users can perform with smartphones, as well as more complex tasks that have been built into WestlawNext, such as organizing research into folders and conducting advanced searches. Researchers also can use the touch screen to scroll through search results, reorganize their folders and highlight text in documents relevant to their research.

Just like WestlawNext and WestlawNext Mobile, the intuitive design of the WestlawNext iPad app makes it easy to navigate the comprehensive content and use the most advanced legal research features, including WestSearch™ – the proprietary search engine that leverages over 100 years of editorial assets to provide more inclusive, better-ranked results. "When we talk with lawyers, most say they wouldn't do more than five minutes of research on their smartphone," said Andy Martens, senior vice president of New Product Development for Thomson Reuters, Legal. "The iPad is a device where we can see attorneys comfortably doing an hour or more of comprehensive research."

According to Jarvis, research shows that attorneys are using the BlackBerry, the iPhone, Android devices, the Kindle, and now the iPad in growing numbers. "Our approach is to make sure customers can access what they need on any Web-enabled device," he said. "Now attorneys can complete complex research without having to be selective of the technology. Researchers have consistently told us that they can easily read, annotate documents and conduct legal research on the iPad, so we're excited that the WestlawNext iPad app will bring new efficiencies to the practice of law."

The introduction of WestlawNext for iPad is another addition to an entire mobile ecosystem that Thomson Reuters, Legal is creating for WestlawNext subscribers. "The WestlawNext iPad app is the latest example of an ongoing commitment to enhance the capabilities of WestlawNext and fundamentally improve the research experience for legal professionals," Martens added. "Today, we are providing our customers the research tools they need to create a more desirable research experience, increase their productivity and provide the confidence that their research is as complete and thorough as it can possibly be."

To learn more, please visit: http://west.thomson.com/westlawnext/useit/mobile/ipad.aspx

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

SOURCE Thomson Reuters