A Season of Savings from Small Dog Electronics

Last weekend Grace and I went out to buy her a chainsaw so that she could help clean up the woods on our property. I have a big Jonsered chainsaw that I have had for over 30 years which still starts up and does its work great but it is too heavy for Grace so we decided to get her a smaller “Barbie” chainsaw.

She has had a lot of chainsaw experience by being my “limb” assistant as we cleared our land or did chores around the house. We cleared our land using that Jonsered and my big workhorse who would haul the logs to the driveway where we would take them to the local sawmill to make timber when we built our house. So, she has some experience but I did teach her about binding, kickback and how much of a difference a sharp saw makes.

Thank you for reading this issue if Kibbles & Bytes!

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

The holidays are upon us, and Apple products are once again in ridiculously high demand. Though consistently popular year round, “*Nielsen*”:http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/kids-in-the-u-s-eyeing-big-ticket-tech-this-holiday-season/ this year reports that tech products such as the iPad are topping lists around the country. While Black Friday may have come and gone, there is still plenty of time to shop for all of those on your “nice list.” To assist you in selecting the perfect Apple gift, we’ve polled our employees to discover the best ones of the season.

5. “*11-inch MacBook Air*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|MacBook_Air

Though it may not be the right machine for all users, there is no denying the popularity of Apple’s newest and most portable notebook. Boasting next generation features such as solid state storage by default, an amazing display, and ample battery life, the MacBook Air is a glimpse of the future in a machine that’s available now! To read a more extensive review of the 11-inch Air, click “*here.*”:http://blog.smalldog.com/article/4020/11-inch-macbook-air-review/

4. “*4th Generation iPod touch*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|iPod_touch

In many ways, the 4th Generation iPod touch is just as revolutionary as the iPhone which inspired it, and shares its digit. Though it doesn’t sport an identical line-up of features, the touch maintains an edge over the iPhone as it is contract free. If you don’t need constant access to data or the ability to place traditional phone calls (touch owners can place VoIP calls via Skype or other apps) then the touch is an enticing and affordable alternative to the iPhone 4. With the amazing Retina display, front and rear facing cameras, and speedy A4 processor, the 4th gen. touch bundles great features into a gift that’s perfect for all ages.

3. “*iPod shuffle*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|iPod_shuffle

The iPod shuffle had a return to form this September. The buttonless design of the 3rd generation model worked for some users, but was widely regarded as a bit of a flop. Based directly off of the 2nd generation model, the new shuffle brings back button controls while carrying over the VoiceOver capabilities of the previous generation. The smallest shuffle yet, its square design is very akin to a postage stamp. With an array of flashy colors available and an attractive price of only $49.99, the shuffle is a sure-to-please stocking stuffer, or a great first iPod.

2. *iPad* (In-store only)

2010 is certainly the year of the iPad–as far as Apple products are concerned at least. Launching to tremendous success earlier in the year, the iPad has quickly become the fastest selling Apple product of all time. Moving over 8 million units in under six months, it is no surprise that it nears the top of the list for the best Apple gifts of the year. With the recently released iOS 4.2 software, the iPad is even greater than before. With changes so extensive, some users are reporting their iPads feel like an entirely new device post update. Spawning a myriad of exclusive HD apps in under a year, the iPad’s biggest strength is its software. Combining the nearly endless offerings of the App Store with a intuitive, portable, and affordable touch screen tablet is clearly a recipe for success. Though a bit pricier than some of the other items on the list, the iPad is sure to be in increasingly high demand as the holiday season progresses. Get them while you can!

1. “*Apple TV*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76960/apple-tv-2010/at_kb

Though the iPad trailed a close second, the Apple TV is the absolute favorite gift of 2010 here at SDE. While the device may not be fully realized yet, Apple has already hit a home run in terms price, content, and convenience. For a mere $99.99, the Apple TV allows for rentals of the latest HD movies and TV shows, AirPlay from iTunes and iOS devices, and much more. The inclusion of Netflix Instant Stream integration is another huge plus. As the Apple TV is relatively simple to set up, it makes a great gift for anyone with an HDTV–even technophobic parents. While the device does include an Apple Remote, you will need to purchase an HDMI cable separately.

To browse our selection of HDMI cables click “*here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=hdmi&refinecat=Cables_and_Adapters|Video

_Dear Friends,_

One of the local ski areas is open, although the trails are primarily full of man-made snow rather than the stuff falling from the sky. I launched an internal contest for Small Dog Employees to guess the date of the first “big dump” and below zero temps. I guess I am as ready as I am going to get for the winter, but it has been pretty mild here so far.

Our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales were all big successes here at Small Dog. All three stores and our website were cranking at full capacity and we set sales records by nearly quadrupling sales over last year. I think a bit more optimism in the economic outlook was a strong contributor but the two biggest factors were our new store in Manchester, NH and the fact that again this year, Apple has provided us with the hottest products on the planet just in time for the holidays.

The new iOS 4.2.1 makes the iPad even more useful than ever. Our project with the Vermont legislature is a great example of the potential for this amazing device. Every day during the legislative session, a legislative digest is printed and distributed to all of the legislators. This thick document contains hundreds of pages of legislation and analysis. The cost to print is substantial but in a pilot program we are beginning to outfit the legislators with iPads and pushing the digest to them each day so that it is available to them immediately on the iPad and the state saves the printing costs. The calculated payback for the state is about 9 months!

The iPad was also spotted for the first time on C-Span on the speaker’s podium in the House of Representatives when Rep. Henry Cuellar gave a speech using the iPad.

We are in the middle of Hanukkah which is early this year. We have some “Hanukkah specials on our website here!”:http://www.smalldog.com/hanukkah2010

The new Apple TV is one of the hottest gifts of the holiday season. I own one and simply love it. Perhaps more tellingly, the entire household loves it. Apple TV is the best way to stream Netflix movies and TV shows to our main television, the iTunes store has enough new movies to save trips to the video store, and Apple TV is the easiest way to stream media from my computer, iPad and iPhone to the central television and household AV system. It’s simply fantastic to have instant access to ninety years of movies in one central location.

Plus (and this is my own conjecture based on nothing but speculation), I think eventually some form of app store will come to Apple TV–potentially making it possible to stream media from more sources, as well as play games, show weather and news, etc.

Enough accolades for the Apple TV. This Mac treat concerns the small aluminum remote control that comes with Apple TV. Compared to the massive remotes that most AV systems ship with, the Apple remote is refreshingly simple and easy to use device. However, it *is* just one more remote to manage amongst a pile of other remotes that many people have in they’re living rooms. Fortunately, it is possible to pair other remote controls that you’re already using for your TV or DVD player to control Apple TV. That’s because most of those remotes have an AUX function that can be used to control third party devices. Here is a support article that explains how to do this:

“Support.apple.com/kb/HT3296”:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3296

A few people have already written in because they’ve lost the remote that shipped with their Apple TV. You can buy a new one for $19 “by clicking here”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/38600/apple-remote-control/at_kb and then use this Support article to pair the new remote with your Apple TV:

“Support.apple.com/kb/HT1555”:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1555

Own an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone? The best replacement remote control/addition to Apple TV (by far) is the free Remote app from Apple. It turns your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into a remote control. Wherever you are in your house, you can control your computer’s iTunes library and your Apple TV with a tap or flick of a finger. Click here to read about this and download it for free:

“Apple.com/itunes/remote”:http://www.apple.com/itunes/remote

Apple says:

bq. __Remote lets you control the iTunes library on your Mac the same way you play music or video on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Fast-forward, pause, and rewind. Choose a song, shuffle an album, or skip to the next track. Even create Genius playlists. Album art looks amazing on the large iPad display and stunning on the vibrant iPhone 4 and iPod touch Retina displays. And if your Mac is sleeping, Remote wakes it up so you can access all your digital media on iTunes.__

So just remember–if you ever lose the Apple remote that came with Apple TV, just use the Remote App control on iPad, iPod touch or iPhone until you can replace it.

Yesterday, Apple issued a series of minor updates to a few of their Mac and iPod related accessories. The first of these updates involved the Universal Dock for iPod and iPhone. Apple updated the kit to include the re-designed aluminum Apple Remote, a USB power adapter, and a USB sync cable. The latter two items were previously sold separately, forcing dock owners to purchase them if they wanted to charge their device from a wall outlet. Also included in the package are a series of five redesigned dock adapters which bring compatibility with current generation devices. To account for the newly included accessories, Apple has raised the kit’s price from $49.99 to $59.99.

The second update comes in the form of a discontinuation. In an ongoing effort to “cut” wires from their desktop lineup, Apple has discontinued its shortened wired aluminum keyboard. First introduced with the second generation of 20 and 24-inch aluminum iMacs, the diminutive keyboard never saw tremendous success. Lacking a number pad, yet still restricted to the desk by its wire, many users opted for the full size wired keyboard instead which is likely the reason for its discontinuation. Apple currently includes a wireless version of the keyboard with many of its desktop models. For users seeking a full sized solution, an aluminum keyboard with number pad is available “*here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/44253/apple-keyboard-w-numeric-keypad/at_kb for $49.99.

The third and final product update is the most minor. Clearly based on the changes made to the Universal Dock kit, Apple has adjusted both its composite and component AV cables. Dropping the price by $10, each cable now retails for $39.99. As the Universal Dock now includes a USB power adapter, Apple has dropped the adapter–which was previously included at the $49.99 price point–from both sets of cables.