Adobe has been working to combat this old-school tech via its eSignatures technology, but until recently it required you to work within a Web-based interface -- not always the most convenient environment.

Thankfully, the company's newly updated , meaning you can now sign and send PDF documents much more easily.

For example, the new and improved Reader lets you sign a document right on your smartphone or tablet, just by drawing with your finger. And if you're the one seeking a signature, you can connect to Adobe EchoSign and send a PDF to someone else. This not only allows you to track and manage your document, but also to archive it in the cloud and access it via Web browser.

Other newly added Android/iOS features include text markups like highlighting, strikethrough, and underlining; support for Sticky-Note comments; and, hallelujah, support for filling out forms (which can then be saved and sent).

If you haven't tried eSignatures before, it's pretty cool. Each recipient of a particular PDF gets to review the document, then apply his/her own digital signature. Along the way, the document retains Adobe's certification to prevent any unauthorized alterations. If somebody does make changes, the certification tag no longer appears.