Our Favorite iPad Apps

Over the past couple of weeks, several people have asked me why they should buy a Mac when Macs seem more expensive than…

As the poet said: “There’s an app for that!” Sure there are LOTS of apps out there but which one should you choose? Since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend is a big weekend for getting out on the slopes, I’ve decided to focus on some of the most popular ski and snow apps out there. I can’t take all the credit as we have quite a few outdoor pups here at Small Dog headquarters. Keep an eye out if you’re at Sugarbush this weekend as that is where we like to go play. If you’re planning on staying right here in Vermont Ski Vermont has highlighted some fun events as well as deals in their latest blog post here and I thought it was worth sharing.

Find My Friends

No matter how hard groups try to stay together on the mountain, inevitably, at some point during the day, somebody’s going to get lost. After all, it can be hard to keep up with quick friends who fancy themselves racers (I’m looking at you, Will), foggy conditions make it hard to see, and sometimes, people just want to ski different trails or get inside for a quick beer break. This app uses GPS tracking so you can locate friends and family on a user-friendly map.

Instagram

Although this app doesn’t necessarily offer ski-specific features, it sure is a great way to daydream about the slopes and keep your followers updated about all the great tracks you’re making. Explore hashtages like #skiing, #powder, or even find pictures of your favorite mountain. It’s a fun way to see awesome pictures of the slopes, document your own travels, and even meet other skiers and riders. Be sure to follow us @hellosmalldog!

VSCO

VSCO Cam has quickly emerged as the premier mobile photography app for iPhone photography, and hasn’t dropped out of the top 15 in the App Store’s Photography and Video category since it launched. If you are looking for a way to make your photos come to life before posting on other social media sites this is the app for you. VSCO Cam is the best way to shoot, edit, and share your photographs. As one app reviews states: “it provides a more thorough photo editing and filter options than photo sharing apps.”

SkiTracks

Using your phone’s map and GPS tracking abilities, this 99-cent app shows you exactly where you’ve skied on a satellite map, while also tracking distance, speed, altitude, duration, and more. Plus, its uses a minimal amount of battery life, so you can keep it running and still attend to your texts and calls, without worrying about running out of juice.

Resort Specific Apps

Many larger ski resorts have developed their own free apps. These usually offer a lot of the same tracking and snow report features as the general apps. However an app such as the Sugarbush app can help you navigate your way around the slopes, lodges, activities, weather reports, live camera feeds, and much more.
Example: I always check the Sugarbush VT app before heading to the mountain so I can see which trails have been groomed, lift statuses, the lines, as well as weather and most importantly the wind chill so I can layer accordingly.

Maprika

Maprika lets you see where you are on real maps, like the ones that say “you are here” at the top of the lift. Easily locate your friends and family, and stay informed about the places you’re going. The coolest part about this app is that Maprika maps are saved to the phone’s memory, allowing for use in out-of-service areas. This app also allows you to find nearby businesses. As Dean says “it’s kind of like Yelp! for ski resorts, great when you are trying to get to know a new resort’s trail map.”

Liftopia

Purchase your lift tickets and or rentals in advance and save. Select from more than 150 resorts. This free app, “Liftopia Ski Reports, Snow Conditions and Ultimate Lift Ticket Deal Engine for iPhone and iPod touch,” though hard to remember provides an easy tool for showing a receipt at the ticket window, rather than having to deal with printing out a paper voucher (welcome to the 21st century!). Be sure you read the fine print for blackout dates before you show up at the mountain to redeem your deal. With deals like these, why not try a new mountain out!

Spotify

If you are one of those people that like to listen to tunes in the background while safely carving some edges I guarantee Spotify has a playlist for you! You can browse playlists for every mood and genre. The discover page will constantly suggest new music for you based on what you’re listening to and it’s all free! With playlists like “Ski” with over 500 songs, how could you go wrong?

Editors note : Your iPhone is just like you, it really hates the bitter cold. When the temperature drops below freezing, iPhones can start malfunctioning: Your smartphone might not sense your touch, the battery dies faster and, if it’s cold enough, it will simply shut off. On its website, Apple suggests that you only use your (4th generation or later) iPhone in environments between 32º and 95º F, since “low- or high-temperature conditions might temporarily shorten battery life or cause the device to alter its behavior to regulate its temperature.”

I’ve had this demo sitting on my computer for a couple weeks now. You may remember my post about Bugdom 2, but just…

Picking the perfect Mac to accompany a collegiate adventure may seem like an arduous task to some. At a glance, the multitudinous array of custom configurations and pricing tiers may leave you saying “giga-what!?”

What is important to consider when selecting a machine and the accessories to go along with it is, the classic balance between price and performance. Ideally, the perfect Mac is one that will last the course of a college career and with only the features one needs.

It is easy to overbuy based on what you might think you need, when in actuality you could be saving hundreds to better spend on bee….err…textbooks! While requirements can certainly vary from school to school and program to program, there is thankfully some overlap in terms of what to look for.

Based on my days as a young lad back at university, in addition to the machines outlined by a few leading schools, I’ve complied a list to aid in the task of picking the perfect Mac for college.

*Brown University:*

MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 4GB/250GB White Unibody

*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare
Ethernet Cable

*Columbia University:*

MacBook Pro 13-in 2.4GHz 4GB/320GB

*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare Protection Plan

*Princeton University:*

MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 2GB/250GB White Unibody

MacBook Pro 15-in 2.4GHz i5 4GB/320GB

*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare Protection Plan

*Amherst College:*

MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 4GB/250GB White Unibody

*Recommended Accessories:*
Lock
Carrying Case
AppleCare Protection Plan

*Yale University:*

MacBook 13-in 2.4GHz 2GB/250GB White Unibody

MacBook Pro 15-in 2.4GHz i5 4GB/500GB

*Recommended Accessories:*
AppleCare Protection Plan
LoJack Anti-Theft Software

As you may have gathered, for even the most prestigious schools, the 13-inch White MacBook is the overall favorite. This affordably priced, yet versatile machine is undoubtably the most iconic and popular machine on campuses nationwide. Catering to a wide range of student types, the MacBook is ideal for students in arts and sciences disciplines as well as business, law, and medicine.

Every institution also recommended the AppleCare Protection Plan. As a former student myself, I can personally attest to how invaluable this extended warranty truly is. Providing three years of hardware coverage in addition to three years of unlimited phone support, AppleCare is a tremendous resource for Mac newcomers and existing users alike. This warranty, however, doesn’t cover accidental damage or physical abuse, so make sure to keep any extra-curricular beverages at a safe distance from your new machine.

Other must-haves include a carrying sleeve, notebook lock, ethernet cable, and a back up drive. As a note on the latter, an external hard drive can be a lifesaver for your data in the event your computer crashes or worse, is stolen. Apple’s included Time Machine software makes doing a comprehensive system back easy. Keeping a regular backup is a great way to preserve college memories without the fear of suddenly loosing them.

Hopefully this guide will serve to reduce some of the stress surrounding the impending purchase of a new machine. While this guide reflects the needs of the average student, don’t hesitate to explore Apple’s other offerings if your program warrants it. Though higher end creative programs typically specify or even supply students with the proper machine, it can never hurt to double check. Above all, enjoy your new Mac!

Just this past fall I went to Channel Camp, which is an Apple seminar. I went with Morgan and he brought along his…