ByDon

Dear Friends,

Grace made an apple pie from the apples from our trees in the yard the other night. We can grow just about anything pretty well, but getting apples has always been a challenge for us. Usually they are misshapen or fall from the tree early or are the victim of a late spring frost. This year, we have quite a few and if my arctic kiwi plant doesn’t climb all over them, we might get a few pies this year.

The weather has definitely been fall-like with some cool weather followed by stormy, hot and humid weather. You can see the tinges of the trees beginning to change with an occasional bright red maple. Flocks of Canada geese are flying in formation southward, so fall is really here.

So if it is fall, it must be Apple announcement season and we had the introduction of two new iPhones this week. The iPhone 5C with its colorful plastic body is basically the iPhone 5 in a new colorful plastic case. It is the $99 entry-level iPhone now with the iPhone 4S being retained as the “free” iPhone when you sign up for a 2-year contract. The other big announcement was the iPhone 5S with some big advances in technology — the processors and the new Touch ID, which is the biometric fingerprint sensor.

Fingerprint sensors are nothing new, but fingerprint sensors that actually work in an everyday environment are new. I bought a biometric lock for my house some years ago and thought I was really cool until I discovered (much to Grace’s glee) that it only worked occasionally and resulted in us being locked out of our house a couple of the very few times we lock our house. The fingerprint sensor on the iPhone is reportedly the first that really works reliably.

Touch ID will work to unlock your iPhone 5S but also to authenticate your Apple ID for the iTunes or App stores, making it a foray into electronic payments, too. I’ll give a first hand (finger) report as soon as we have the iPhone 5S to test. The processor is the new A7, which by itself, is a breakthrough in speed and the first 64-bit processor in a smartphone. But there is a co-processor as well — the M7 that will take the load off of the A7 by handling all the “motion” activities such as gyroscope, accelerometer, compass and other sensor and uses a lot less power while doing it. With the M7 feeding information to the iPhone 5, there are a number of specialized fitness apps that can be envisioned.

I have been playing with iOS 7 for awhile as part of the Apple Developers program, and it is a big advancement over the competition and iOS 6. I think you are going to really like the new iPhones — colorful form factors, greater speed, battery-saving features and the convenience of iOS 7!

Similar Posts

  • Don’t forget that our iPad in Business seminar is Tuesday in Manchester, NH. If you are in the area, it is well worth the trip to the Palace Theatre for this free seminar. Register at “*Smalldog.com/seminars.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/seminars I wish I could be there, but I’ll be on a plane to Cupertino for meetings with Apple.

    Thanks for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
    _Don, Kali & Stephanie_

  • SPECIAL | Purchase A5+ Speakers & Get a FREE AirPort Express!

    Wow! What a deal for setting up a sweet sound system…as Will mentioned above, Audioengine 5+ (A5+) Premium Powered Speakers deliver audiophile-quality sound and features at a price that continues to set the standard for affordable high-quality audio.

    And with the *FREE* AirPort Express included in this bundle you can play iTunes music through your stereo or powered speakers using AirTunes. AirTunes takes the music from the iTunes library on your computer and sends it wirelessly to any stereo or speakers in your home.

    ??*Note: The AirPort Express is an Apple refurbished product and has a standard 1-year warranty.*??

  • 2nd Annual FREE Rutland, VT eWaste Recycling Event: 9/21

    We’re back in Rutland again this year to collect your ewaste, so mark your calendars.

    Join us for our 2nd Annual eWaste Recycling Event in Rutland, VT. We’ll be collecting all manner of electronic waste (well, maybe not __all,__ so “**see the list of accepted materials here.**”:http://www.smalldog.com/recycle?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=KB-ewaste) on **Saturday, September 21st.**

    If you’re unsure of what ewaste is, then listen up. As you may know, we use a lot of electronics in our daily lives, and unfortunately, many of them contain hazardous materials such as mercury or lead. In the last few years, Apple has manufactured devices and machines free of toxic materials, but chances are, you may have older “electronic waste” around the house that you need to get rid of responsibly.

    Come out and join us!
    * **When: Saturday, September 21st, 2013 from 9AM to 2PM**
    * **Where: The lot across from our store** “*(117 West Street, Rutland, VT)*”:https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=117+West+Street,+Rutland,+VT&aq=1&oq=117+West+Street&sll=43.871754,-72.451472&sspn=3.464921,6.394043&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=117+West+St,+Rutland,+Vermont+05701&ll=43.608908,-72.979624&spn=0.004273,0.015922&z=16&iwloc=A

    “**Click here to read more about our annual eWaste Recycling Events.**”:http://www.smalldog.com/green
    “**Click here for more information about our 2013 events.**”:http://www.smalldog.com/recycle

  • Friday the 13th: 3 Mac Superstitions

    ??This article was originally written by Ben B. and appeared in Kibbles & Bytes issue?? “*#684*”:http://blog.smalldog.com/kibbles/kb684/

    Stevie Wonder’s “__Superstition__”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Falbum%252Fstevie-wonder-the-definitive%252Fid3440159%253Fuo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30 was the first song to come up on shuffle during my commute this morning. I’m normally not a very superstitious person, but when Garrison Keillor reminded me that it was Friday the 13th on the Writer’s Almanac, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was more than a coincidence. Combined with the fact that Mia–a Black Lab–crossed my path as soon as I walked into the office, consider me spooked!

    Since superstition is abound, and it’s the only Friday the 13th this year, I thought that it would be especially relevant to lay a few common Mac superstitions to rest. For longtime Mac users the following may seem basic, but keep in mind that many switchers unfortunately are led to believe these myths are true due to previous experience on PCs.

    *Your Mac Isn’t Virus-Immune:*

    OK, so this one is pretty basic: Macs simply do not get viruses. You’d be surprised how many people immediately construe software or hardware-related issues as a virus. The fact is that there has never been a reported virus on a Mac. There have been internally developed proof-of-concepts as well a security flaws and vulnerabilities in various releases of Apple software, but there has never been a full blown Mac virus in the same vein as those so prevalent on the PC.

    *Dell Printer + Mac = 7 Years of Bad Luck:*

    This myth is partially true. You will have bad luck if you attempt to get a Dell branded printer to work on a Mac, but likely not 7 years worth. The PC Manufacturer is the only one whose printers are incompatible with Macs. The good news is almost every other USB 2.0 and network-based printer on the market is. A very common misconception amongst switchers is that their existing printer will be incompatible with a new Mac. Not only should the printer be compatible, but many popular printers feature plug-and-play functionality with Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard!

    *Macs Don’t Play Nice at the Office:*

    The majority of businesspeople rely on Microsoft’s Office Suite to some extent in their daily workflow. Since many businesses principally use PCs, it can be a little daunting bringing your new Mac into the office. Many people forget to realize that Microsoft has a version of their popular Office software designed exclusively for Macs! This means that you can continue to use Word, Powerpoint, and Excel even if you jump to a new Mac. Existing documents in Microsoft’s formats are even cross compatible between platforms. Though the interface in the Mac programs is subtly different from their PC counterparts, there is practically no learning curve associated with the software if you have previous experience with it.

    Right now the most current edition of Office is *2008*. However, if you purchase the suite between *now and November 30th*, you can qualify for a free upgrade to *Office 2011* when it becomes available. See “*here*”:http://images.smalldog.com/rebates/office2011.pdf for details.

    So there you have it. Rest assured that your Mac is free from all of these common tech superstitions. As for yourself, be sure to avoid ladders, black animals, and mirrors for the rest of the day. Happy 13th!

  • FREE iPad Seminar in NH // You Could Win in a MacBook Air!

    If you’re in or near the Manchester, NH area, join us for a **free iPad in Business Briefing on Tuesday, September 17 from 9am – 12pm (get there at 8:30am for check-in and refreshments) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH** — open to anyone interested in learning about how to use iPad in a business environment.

    We’ll have a representative from Apple on hand to present, as well as our partners Zco Corp. (App Developer) and Burlington Bank Card (iPad/iPhone POS System) to highlight their solutions.

    Topics will include integration, security, deployment, apps and of course, how using iOS and working with Small Dog Electronics can provide an ideal solution for your business.

    Visit our Seminars page for more details:
    “**Smalldog.com/seminars**”:http://www.smalldog.com/seminars

    Register now to make sure you’re entered to win a MacBook Air, and to join us for a fantastic 1/2 day seminar. *And did we mention that it’s free? You’ve got nothing to lose!*

    Eventbrite - iPad in Business Briefing

    The Small Dog Electronics Business Solutions team will be on hand for the event, so come on out — we’d love to meet you and answer any questions you may have about how we can help you get — or keep — your business running smoothly when it comes to technology.

    *Your dedicated NH reps:*

    * *Dana Flint,* Outside & Business Sales, “*dana@smalldog.com*”:mailto:dana@smalldog.com
    * *Chris Peaden,* Macintosh Consultant, “*chrisp@smalldog.com*”:mailto:chrisp@smalldog.com

    To learn more about what we have to offer businesses large and small, visit “*Smalldog.com/b2b*”:http://www.smalldog.com/b2b

  • Apple's iPhone Event: The Recap

    Today was a much anticipated day: as someone quoted on Twitter, “it’s like Christmas for iPhone users.” And it kind of is! For the most part, Mac rumor sites had it right: the “*iPhone 5c*”:http://www.apple.com/iphone-5c/ and “*iPhone 5s*”:http://www.apple.com/iphone-5s/ were both announced. There are always leaked photos of the shells and guts of the phones before they are officially announced, but I think it all really comes together when we actually get to see the real thing in its true form, up on the screen.

    Apple, in my opinion, nailed it with the colors: bright and vibrant. They also created a case for the 5c that comes in the same colors as the phone but with a grid of holes punched out in the back so you’re able to see the color of the phone underneath. This allows you to mix and match the phone with the case to create a fun color combination.

    The 5c will be available in 16GB and 32GB and will start at $99, with the price of $199 for the 32GB. So does the “c” stand for — ‘cheap’ or ‘color’? In a(n unofficial) word: both!

    The second of the two phones announced was the iPhone 5s. As rumored, the phone is now available in gold along with the same white and black options. But, the coolest feature of the new iPhone 5s has to be the Touch ID. The home button of the iPhone 5s now doubles as 500ppi fingerprint sensor: that’s it folks, we are officially in the future!

    The Touch ID will allow iPhone owners to simply touch their home button to unlock their device (instead of swiping to unlock). Touch ID will also allow you to authenticate your iTunes purchases. Some might be a little weary of Apple having access to ones fingerprint but Apple has ensured the public that they will be encrypted and will not be available to third parties.

    Another great features of the 5s is the new processor, A7, and according to Apple, is more than twice as fast as its predecessor. The camera was also updated going from 8-megapixel to a 1.5x larger active sensor area with a five-element Apple-designed lens with f/2.2 aperture. The cool thing about this is what when you take a photo, the camera actually takes multiple photos and picks the sharpest one for you to view. Wicked smart!

    The prices and capacities are the same as the 5’s were: 16GB: $199, 32GB: $299 and 64GB: $399. The iPhone 5 is no longer available, but you can get a 4S for free when you sign a new cellular contract.

    All-in-all, the anticipated products were, in fact, announced. I have a feeling the color phones are going to be a huge success due to the fact that people love color as well as a more affordable option for an iPhone. The 5s should also do very well due to the new technology it carries. Apple nerds rejoice!