Win an iPod nano This Weekend at Our Grand Opening!

Earlier in the week, Netflix updated their popular iOS based streaming “*app*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fnetflix%2Fid363590051%3Fmt%3D8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30 with a series of bug fixes and new features. Though the update made the app universal across the iOS device family, the most substantial addition is support for video out.

Even though this feature has been available to iPad owners since the app’s release, the 1.1.1 update brings this functionality to the iPhone and iPod touch for the first time. Unfortunately though, not all devices are supported. While previous generations of the iPhone and iPod touch are presumably compatible with this feature, it has only been enabled on the *iPhone 4* and *fourth generation iPod touch*.

In order to take advantage of this new feature, owners of compatible devices will have to purchase one of Apple’s AV kits. Available “*here,*”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=apple+av+cable the kits are come in two flavors: Component and Composite. With either kit and a data connection at their disposal, users will be able to play any of Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” titles on almost any TV.

This morning, Apple released an important set of firmware updates for MacBook and MacBook Pro models ranging from late 2007 to early 2008. This update addresses an issue that barred the models in question from charging with Apple’s recently redesigned MagSafe Power Adapter.

Though Apple introduced the “L-shaped” version of the adapter alongside the MacBook Air in January 2008, the company only recently made it the standard across their notebook line. Though this redesign effectively prevents the fraying (and in some cases frying) issues that plagued the older design, it became problematic with several slightly older Macs.

The notebooks affected would charge per usual with the classic MagSafe design, but would fail to recognize its “L shaped” successor. This was not a widespread problem until Apple halted production of the original MagSafe design earlier in the year. Upon this manufacturing change, owners of certain machines were essentially left without a means of charging should their original adapter fail.

We encountered this problem first hand at some of our retail stores, and though a PMU reset occasionally alleviated the issue, many users were forced to seek used or refurbished adapters of the older variant. Thankfully, however, this issue is no more. By running Software Update from the Apple Menu, users of the following machines can download the SMC Firmware Update which permanently resolves the issue.

MacBook (13-inch Late 2007)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008)
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)

Well folks, it’s back! We usually hold our annual recycling event over Earth Day, but this year, moving it to the fall made much more sense.

If you have old, broken, and obsolete electronics, you can recycle them for FREE on *October 23rd!* This year, we are also upping the ante and holding the event in *two locations–our brand new store in the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester AND 30 Community Drive in S. Burlington, VT (Ben & Jerry’s headquarters)!* See below for more details.

*WHEN: Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 9am – 3pm*
*WHERE:* “*Mall of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH*”:http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mall+of+New+Hampshire,+Manchester,+NH&sll=44.450387,-73.144741&sspn=0.053673,0.08214&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=The+Mall+of+New+Hampshire,+Manchester,+Hillsborough,+New+Hampshire+03103&z=15 *and* “*Ben & Jerry’s, S. Burlington, VT*”:http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Ben+%26+Jerry’s+Homemade+Inc,+South+Burlington,+VT&sll=44.452715,-73.139248&sspn=0.055019,0.08214&ie=UTF8&hq=Ben+%26+Jerry’s+Homemade+Inc,&hnear=South+Burlington,+Chittenden,+Vermont&ll=44.450387,-73.144741&spn=0.053673,0.08214&z=14&iwloc=A
*WHAT: All computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, cell phones, stereo equipment, digital phones, VCRs, televisions, old cables, connectors, adapters. __We will collect everything electronic except for household appliances.__* (**)

*Be sure to see our website for a full list of what’s accepted* (and what’s not): “Smalldog.com/ewaste2010”:http://www.smalldog.com/ewaste2010/at_kb

All of the ewaste collected will be responsibly processed in the US by WeRecycle. While a small percentage of the ewaste can be salvaged, in most cases ewaste is broken down so elements such as tin, copper, silicon, beryllium, carbon, iron, aluminum can be reused in other electronics. Plastic, steel and glass can also be recycled. Certain waste goes to to manufacturer take-back programs.

Hope to see you there!

(**) Read on for details on where to recycle your household appliances!

_Dear Friends,_

It is finally here! The Grand Opening of our new store in the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester is Saturday at 10AM. The fun and games, raffles, door prizes and deals will extend all week. The store looks fantastic; Katie and her crew are ready for the customers and a bunch of the Small Dog team will be coming from Vermont to help with the crowds.

It has been a long time in development and I cannot begin to tell you just how proud I am of Katie who has been the leader of this project from day one. She has had extraordinary assistance from Michelle and Will, who will be the assistant managers in Manchester and from a whole slew of Small Doggers who have put in a lot of extra time and positive energy into this project.

Mark and Matt have hired a great tech team and have gotten the network installed at the new store, Art and Lucie have made sure we have the inventory on time and packed and drove the truck to Manchester. Hapy has been the details guy that he usually is and has made sure that the design elements are suitable for more stores down the line.

Kerry has made about 4 million phone calls, checking references, doing screenings and making sure we have the most awesome team on the planet. Ed, Kali and Ben have done the marketing and have installed a gigantic virtual funnel at the entrance to the store. My friend Russ Bennett from Northland Construction did the design and construction work and I think you will agree with me that it looks fabulous.

The whole Small Dog team has had a hand in creating this new store while keeping up with our existing business of providing world-class customer service to you, our valued customers and friends.

“Check out a sneak preview of the store here!”:http://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldog/

I went to Manchester on Wednesday to meet up with my Apple Rep, Mike Hogan, who has also provided us with sage guidance as we designed the store. He has even sat in on some of the interviews for new employees.

Katie and I, the world’s most fanatical Boston Celtics fans, couldn’t resist getting some tickets for the exhibition game in Manchester vs. the 76ers. There were nine of us watching the boys in green dismantle the Philly team. Katie was disappointed that Shaq didn’t give her a piggyback ride on the court, but it wasn’t because he didn’t get asked!

I am heading back first thing on Saturday morning and will be there through Monday for the grand opening, I hope to meet many of you at the Mall of New Hampshire!

Even as we are basking in the glory of our newest store, we are beginning to think of the next steps, the next store and of course, the upcoming holiday season. Apple has given us some pretty awesome products for this year’s holiday season. My predictions are that the iPad, the iPod touch and the Apple TV are going to be the hottest gifts of the year and we will do our best to keep them all in stock for you.

It is going to be a busy week at Small Dog this week, but it is a culmination of a lot of planning and a lot of hard work and also the fulfillment of our dream of expanding the Small Dog way of doing business to new locations. We are very proud to be a part of the New Hampshire economy and have joined both the Chamber of Commerce and the New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility.

We’ll be walking the walk soon after our Grand Opening with a massive eWaste collection day at the Mall of New Hampshire AND at Ben & Jerry’s corporate offices in S. Burlington, Vermont on October 23rd.

Thanks for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
_Don, Kali, Ed & Ben_