_Dear Friends,_

We have started to get some of the iPad mini Retinas in at the stores. They seem to sell themselves as the speed and Retina display are amazing. The iPad Air is also hard to keep on the shelves. I think that the value in these new iPads is immediately apparent to the customers as they hold them in their hands and launch applications. Many of the sales we are making right now are to folks that already have an iPad and are ready to upgrade to this latest version.

We are priming ourselves for the Black Friday madness and the start of the holiday season. I’ll be here in Key West for that Friday and heading north the next day. I already have a bunch of meetings set for that first week in December! Taylor made it down here after some flight delays and lost luggage, but immediately pitched in and got to work here.

We should have our new Hammerhead Jacket iPhone 5s cases in stock this next week, and the Bumper cases for the iPhone 5c, too. We have developed what we think is a great case for the 5s, and I have been sporting our new Hammerflage design which has Hammerhead sharks on the back (sneak peek of the design coming soon).

Twelve South’s BookBook for iPad mini is a handmade, genuine leather hardback case made exclusively for iPad mini. And for a limited time, when you purchase this awesome case for your iPad mini, we’ll throw in a free Hammerhead anti-glare screen protector and Hammerhead Stylus!

All this can be yours for *$69.99*, that’s a *$25 savings!* Early Holiday shopping, anyone?

Whenever I’m playing a game on my iPhone, there are times where I think, “You know what? Actual buttons would make this game a lot easier to play.” I’m guessing I’m not alone, which is why Apple had built controller support into iOS 7. And wouldn’t you know it — the controllers are finally starting to roll out, just in time for the holidays.

Logitech and MOGA have both released controllers this week, and for those folks who have been looking for some kind of controller option for their iPhone or iPod touch, great news! Both options are available right now. However, I should mention that they will only work with the 5th Generation iPhones (5, 5c, 5s) and with the 5th generation iPod touch. If you happen to own any older iOS devices, or iPads you’re out of luck. (At least for the time being.)

Both options have the same benefits: access to your camera, speakers, headphone jack, they can charge the battery of your device, and of course, finally provide you with physical buttons. Physically, the “*Logitech Powershell*”:http://store.apple.com/us/product/HE018VC/A/logitech-powershell-controller-battery?fnode=f8835529bb2b0dde64997a81e266eb38b44613b9c05bd80b388af87b21800d1f7e8b2aced9f797a00346e345ad26b420 looks more like a case, and has more of a fixed shape, whereas the “*MOGA ACE POWER*”:http://store.apple.com/us/product/HE449ZM/A/moga-ace-power-game-controller?fnode=43 (what a name) fits like a case on your device, but will collapse to fit into pockets, bags, or whatever it is you decide to throw it in.

I’m sure these options will fit the bill for some people who are looking for portable controller options for their iOS devices, though they seem like devices I would use at home, as opposed to on the move. With the holidays coming up, and people hoping for iPhones and iPod touches as gifts, I’m sure these will be pretty popular, especially at a fairly reasonable price of $99.99.

Truth be told, I’m still holding out for an iCade. Maybe this year it’ll happen.

Today’s treat is short and sweet. Have you ever had so many windows open that you imagined it might take literally days to close each one? Such is life for the perpetual multitasker.

A few weeks ago, in the midst of my Mac user/system cleaning overhaul, I inadvertently opened 10 million Get Info windows (rough estimate) in the Finder. So here’s what I did to save time and a small slice of my sanity:

* Had my BFF, the Option key, at the ready
* Held down *Option* and selected *Close All* from the File menu

Those windows closed faster than I could say “shut it down!” in my best “*Jack Donaghy voice.*”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ8cjlEMLR0

*1st Apple Store App for iPad Released Yesterday*
On November 21st, Apple launched its very first “*Apple store app for iPad.*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-store-for-ipad/id732164065?mt=8&at=11lb7k&ct=kibbles While Apple has obviously had an Apple Store app for the iPhone for some time, they have been neglecting doing this for the iPad. The App was released just in time for the holidays — great timing!

“*Read more…*”:http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/20/apples-retail-master-class/

*Cupertino Apple Spaceship a Go*
You might have seen images released on the ol’ internet recently of Apple’s proposed Campus 2. This past week, Cupertino City Council approved the campus and Apple is expected to break ground this year with a due date of opening in 2016. If you haven’t checked out the images of this insane building you need to — it’s simply stunning.

“*Read more…*”:http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/11/this-is-apples-new-mothership-of-an-hq/

*Apple Close to Buying a 3D Sensor Maker*
Apple is interested in purchasing an Israeli 3D sensor manufacturer startup company. Apple and PrimeSense have yet to nail down a deal, but there are reports that Apple could pay a hefty $345 million (chump change!) for their technology.

“*Read more…*”:http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/17/apple-reportedly-close-to-finalizing-deal-to-buy-3d-sensor-maker-primesense-for-345m/