SPECIAL: EKids Noise-Isolating Earphones (with skulls!)

*”We have something you really have to see. And touch.”*
By far, the biggest Apple news this week is that of next Wednesday’s event. We’re not in the rumor biz, and as Don says, we’ll know when you do–but that can’t stop us from dreaming about an all Siri-hosted event (-Dana F.), complete with a touch screen MacBook Air (-Mike D.) and an iUnicorn, a device that will be “all you want it to be always.” (-Raul D.). Join us on March 7 “*on our blog, Barkings!*”:http://blog.smalldog.com as we find out what’s new!

“*Read more here.*”:http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/28/apple_sends_out_invitations_for_march_7_ipad_event_in_san_francisco.html

*Google’s Privacy Policy Changes*
Yesterday, the controversial changes to Google’s Privacy Policy took effect. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding these changes, given that they mean more data collected from users each time they search the web, something that Google views as essential to enhance the social media and overall experience on the web. Many users aren’t so sure–see what this means for you:

“*Read more here.*”:http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-29/news/ct-talk-google-privacy-0301-20120229-16_1_google-account-google-calendar-web-history
“*Read Google’s Privacy Policy here.*”:http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/
“*Read more on how to turn off search logging here.*”:http://boingboing.net/2012/02/22/howto-turn-off-googles-searc.html

*Apple Named Most Admired Company*
For the fifth year in a row, Fortune Magazine has named Apple the “Most Admired Company.” Fortune ranks them first in the Innovation category as well. They write, “to say it was another big year for Apple would be a gross understatement.”

“*Read more here.*”:http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/most-admired/2012/snapshots/670.html

The one Apple product that I was really itching to get my hands on as soon as I came back to Small Dog was the “*MacBook Air.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/77203/macbook-air-13in-1-86ghz-2gb-128gb/at_kb I had only seen pictures online and I was really excited to get my hands on it. I fell in love when I finally got to see it in person. It is everything that I thought that it would be–small, stunning and extremely touchable. It just makes you want to hold it.

I think that there is a MacBook Air in my future (unless the announcement next week makes me crazy to upgrade my iPad)! Here’s the “*13-inch MacBook Air bundled with a free sleeve!*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag21107/at_kb/

Other products that really caught my attention each time I stroll through the Waitsfield store are:

* The “*Chill Pill mobile speakers.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73383/chill-pill-mobile-speakers-red/at_kb They are just so damn cute (and sound good, too). I feel like putting an R2-D2 costume or perhaps some goofy eyes on them so I can make them look even cuter.
* The “*Kingston Wi-Drive*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag21098/at_kb (which happens to be on sale) is another cool item that makes my wallet itch. Since I am a huge fan of iTunesU, perhaps this is something that I could use to expand my library.
* You know you’re a geek when “*Solid State Drives*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Storage_and_Backup/Solid_State_Drives/External/at_kb make you giddy.

And did you know there’s a “*remote control helicopter?*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/79936/wireless-input-isuper-helicopter-yellow/at_kb

So, yes, I am really excited to be back at Small Dog, basking in the sunshine of all this stuff. Perhaps I should set up a monthly budget?

References to the Mac OS have been popping up everywhere for me lately, from the announcement of OS 10.8’s (Mountain Lion) summer release to Dawn’s memories of 10.2 Jaguar (below) to the recent end of the Lion Up-To-Date program. With all this talk about upgrades, it made me think about the top things that one can do before upgrading his or her Mac’s OS.

Since Lion is only available from the App Store (and more than likely, so will Mountain Lion upon its release, as retail packaging for software is becoming obsolete), the game has changed somewhat–having a solid, fast internet connection is paramount when deciding to upgrade. These tips, however, are a bit more universal:

* Check the system requirements: Knowing that you may need a RAM or hard drive upgrade before installing (or worst case, a new computer) is key before you begin
* Take stock of your important software and peripherals, and don’t be afraid to wait to upgrade if any don’t have a compatible version for the new OS: You don’t want to learn the hard way that the most important app you need for work hasn’t come out with a compatible update yet
* Clean up those files: Get rid of what you don’t need–delete any duplicate files or unused apps so that you can start with a (semi) clean slate
* Back up all of your data: Back up everything that’s important at least to an external drive, or more importantly, a bootable disk (try “*Carbon Copy Cloner,*”:http://www.bombich.com/ one of our favorite backup solutions)

If you have any questions before you go to take the upgrade leap, don’t be afraid to ask us for help.

Ready to upgrade to Lion? “*Click here.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/lion

Thank you so much for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes. It is hard to believe that we have been writing this newsletter for over 15 years. Here’s an excerpt from our March 1, 1997 issue:

__”With an unusually warm February in the books we can look forward to warm weather and getting outside a bit more. Conveniently, Apple has released some great portable products so we don’t have to be far from our Macs. The PowerBook 3400 series is the fastest laptop available (as in PERIOD!). They should be in stock within a short time and while on the expensive side, they pack enough power for almost any serious remote user.”__

Some similarities there–warm February, the desire to go outside and new toys from Apple!

Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,
_Don, Kali & Dawn_

_Dear Friends,_

Daylight Savings Time is only ten days away, but we finally have found some winter here in the Green Mountains. A couple of snow storms have covered the bare ground and made skiers and boarders smile. I need a new type of car wash–I want to be able to wash my wheels to get the caked snow out of them (which causes the car to shake). My vision is that you would drive in and a lift picks up the chassis a bit and then you gun the car in four big buckets of water.

Apple has set March 7th as the date for a special announcement and we are all speculating on the new products from Apple; however, we will be right there with you when the announcements happen because contrary to public opinion, in the words of Sargent Shultz, “we know nothing…”. The new product introductions are the most fun with Apple and I can wait for the new tools/toys.

We welcome Dawn back this week as a regular contributor to Kibbles & Bytes and we are so glad to have her back in the pound!

Need an inexpensive pair of ‘phones? Look no further than the sweet, retro styling of the Sony MDR-110LP Headphones. Wear them once, and you’ll be transported back in time to the days of New Coke, a booming economy and your Sony Walkman.

*Originally $35, these are marked down to $5.99–priced to -fly- moonwalk.* Well worth the nostalgic trip, my friend!