REVIEW | The Way It Should Look: Apple iPhone 5 Dock
I’ve worked here for over five years and the iPhone 5 was my first iPhone (I know, I know). When I got my…
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iOS 7 and the Myths of Upgrading
I’m sure iOS 7 is not going to be easy for a lot of people and I’ll even admit, when I downloaded the beta several months ago, there were some aspects that had me disappointed at first glance. There is sort of a feeling that you have no choice about whether or not to upgrade, but I want to clear that up a little bit.
Some concerns people have with iOS 7 speaks to a macroscopic issue with technology, i.e. that invariably all hardware/software evolves over time and the aesthetic manifestation of such change is arbitrary by nature. Somebody (or some company) has to make an executive decision about how a system will look and function. There is no way to please everybody, so it works by the law of averages — what’s going to work best for the most people.
Consumer technology that succeeds is always utilitarian. You can see evidence of this with companies like Alienware, a company that designs machines specifically for gamers since that’s their only market. They know that they will never be a household name like Apple because their scope is too focused.
One of my largest gripes with the 21st century is that we are not doing an honest job teaching consumers — particularly elder consumers — how to properly transition into large-scale computer implementation in daily life. It used to be, as recently as 20 years ago, that to get the most out of a computer, you would need to know how to program and have memorized a litany of line-item keyboard commands.
Consumers were given the Kool-Aid when graphical user interfaces became mainstream on Windows and Mac, making it easier for “anyone” to use a computer. Unfortunately, the technology was not — and still is not! — foolproof, and in order to get the most out of our devices, there is a certain level of tech literacy one needs to possess. It’s like having a car; the more you understand about how it works and how to maintain it, the less likely you are to have an expensive repair.
With computers and mobile devices, they don’t do just one thing [vis-a-vis drive you from point A to point B as a car would], but rather they facilitate (or try to facilitate) multiple aspects of our lives.
Technology can be a little bit misleading in that everybody expects it “just to work,” because that’s how companies like Apple sell their products. In a majority of cases, the device does “just work” and you can go on your merry way cluttering your desktop, not keeping your files organized, etc. and expecting that over the years the computer will continue to “just work.” These are the sorts of people who don’t do a lot of research or, if they do, they find the wrong sources, and feel they have to, for instance, upgrade to the latest operating system immediately.
In the case of iOS 7 you __did not__ have to upgrade right away. It is very unfortunate that Apple, or the tech industry in general, makes customers feel that you are forced to upgrade. In a lot of cases, you are forced to upgrade because in order to run the latest version of something, it requires the latest incarnation. (See: New printer, older computer) But in key cases (like this one), it isn’t always necessary.
Eventually though, no matter what, we all have to move forward. In order to continue using technology and to rely on it, we have to agree to the “terms and conditions” of technology consumers. One of those conditions is that, by nature of scientific achievement, the world of computing grows and shifts quicker than just about any other industry. The “good ole days” of computers could refer to as little as four years ago and that gap is continually closing.
These topics are of great interest to me as I reconcile my frustrations with people who aren’t educated about technology with the reality that my generation/the industry just doesn’t do an honest job to get that education out there. We’re so thrilled to show you all the things that the devices can do — and there are MANY cool things you can do! — that we lose sight of the disclaimer that “this is not a self-repairing, self-sustaining system and you should learn a little bit about what can/will go wrong over time.”
Thoughts on this? “*Email me!*”:mailto:christopherb@smalldog.com
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REVIEW | The Way It Should Look: Apple iPhone 5 Dock
I’ve worked here for over five years and the iPhone 5 was my first iPhone (I know, I know). When I got my iPhone 5, the first two things I wanted were AppleCare+ (I’ve broken the glass on my iPad 2 three times now) and a dock.
I drove all the way to the Apple store in Nashua NH to buy and register AppleCare+ because, at the time, we were unable to sell it. I asked the sales associate for AppleCare+ and to point me in the direction of the new iPhone 5 docks. “There isn’t an iPhone 5 dock.” WHAT?! I was shocked.
I know it’s not a ground breaking accessory, but it’s Apple — I just expected this to exist for the devices with the Lightning connector. My phone just didn’t look right in the multiple third party ones I tried.
Well finally, the introduction of the iPhone 5s has also brought us the Apple Lightning Dock! As expected, it looks amazing, clean, slim, and of course, white. It contrasts nicely with my black (not Space Gray) iPhone 5. The price is in line with the previous generation Apple Docks: $29.99.
It also has one feature that I’ve always liked: line-out. This allows you to plug in a stereo or desktop speaker system into the back of the dock. The key feature is that it disables the volume control of the device, meaning the speaker system volume is the only control, producing a cleaner sound over the stereo.
Wondering where it’s been your whole life? “*Get yours here.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/84213/apple-iphone-dock-for-iphone-5-5s
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New Mid-2013 iMac Lineup Overview
While most Apple fans are busy gawking over the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, Apple quietly updated the specs on their iMac lineup this week. All they provided was a brief press release and an email blast to Apple Resellers and Specialists that detailed the new features of the next-gen iMac.
These iMacs include Intel Core i5 processors, add brand new Intel Iris Pro graphics, PCIe flash storage options, and last, but certainly not least, 802.11ac Wi-Fi that is crushing previous Wi-Fi technology speeds.
The processor speeds got bumped up to start at 2.7GHz on the 21.5in base model iMac and all the way up to 3.4GHz on the beefed-up 27in model iMac. We also find the new Intel Iris Pro graphics chipset in the 21.5in base model iMac. This is a huge leap in graphics processing and speed.
According to Intel, this marks a 75x increase in graphics performance since 2006 and almost double the performance of the HD 3000 from last year. Both the 21.5in and 27in iMac come standard with a 1TB 5400rpm or 7200rpm HDD, which is certainly nothing to scoff at. It’s the PCIe 1TB Flash storage drive that is really mind-blowing!
One of the latest and greatest technologies being taken advantage of with this new lineup is the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi. We saw Apple launch the new AirPort Extreme and Time Capsules earlier this year, and after a software update, these new networking tools did not disappoint. Just imagine up to 1.3GBps transfer speeds over Wi-Fi, and up to 800MBps read-and-write via the newly added PCIe bus for flash storage.
Needless to say, we’re really excited here at Small Dog to get our hands on these new machines and really see what they can do. *The 21.5-inch & 27-inch base models are now in stock at our South Burlington, VT, Waitsfield, VT and Manchester, NH locations,* and *high-end 27-inch models are now in stock in South Burlington, VT and Manchester, NH.*
Learn more about the new specs over at “*Engadget*”:http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/24/apple-updates-imac/ and “*Macworld.*”:http://www.macworld.com/article/2041546
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The way it should look…
I’ve worked here for over 5 years and the iPhone 5 was my first iPhone (I know). When I got my iPhone 5…
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Just Announced: New iMacs
This week, Apple quietly introduced new iMacs to their line of desktops. The iMac has long been a favorite of businesses big and small, and these improvements only serve to make it a more ideal choice for many offices.
Here’s a rundown of the new specs:
They include fourth generation Intel Core i5 processors, brand new Intel Iris Pro graphics, PCIe flash storage options, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi that is crushing previous Wi-Fi technology speeds.
The processor speeds got bumped up to start at 2.7GHz on the 21.5in base model iMac and all the way up to 3.4GHz on the beefed-up 27in model iMac. We also find the new Intel Iris Pro graphics chipset in the 21.5in base model iMac. This is a huge leap in graphics processing and speed.
According to Intel, this marks a 75x increase in graphics performance since 2006 and almost double the performance of the HD 3000 from last year. Both the 21.5in and 27in iMac come standard with a 1TB 5400rpm or 7200rpm HDD, which is certainly nothing to scoff at. It’s the PCIe 1TB Flash storage drive that is really mind-blowing!
One of the latest and greatest technologies being taken advantage of with this new lineup is the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi. We saw Apple launch the new AirPort Extreme and Time Capsules earlier this year, and after a software update, these new networking tools did not disappoint. Just imagine up to 1.3GBps transfer speeds over Wi-Fi and up to 800MBps read-and-write via the newly added PCIe bus for flash storage.
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Upcoming: Tri City Expo
It was great to see many of you at the NHBSR Social last night at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth NH. We hope to attend another soon…
For more on NHBSR events, “*take a look at their calendar here.*”:http://www.nhbsr.org/news-events/
*Join us today, September 26, from 3:00-7:00 pm at the Tri City Expo!* It’s New Hampshire’s largest B2B Expo, held at the Center of NH Expo Center in Manchester, NH. We’ll be in Booth #213, so come on over!
“*Find out more about the Expo here.*”:http://tricityexpo.com/about-tricityexpo/
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Greetings!
We wanted to thank everyone who registered and attended last week’s iPad in Business Briefing in Manchester, NH. We also want to extend a huge thanks to our friends at the Palace Theatre for hosting. We’re eager to hear your feedback, so please drop us a line to let us know what you thought!
Dana Flint, Business Solutions – Manchester, NH
“*dana@smalldog.com*”:mailto:dana@smalldog.comChris Peaden, Macintosh Consultant – Manchester, NH
“*chrisp@smalldog.com*”:mailto:chrisp@smalldog.comAnd, we’re pleased to announce that *Matt D. from Binnie Media has won the MacBook Air!* Congratulations!
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New Mid-2013 iMac Lineup Overview
While most Apple fans are busy gawking over the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, Apple quietly updated the specs on their iMac…
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New Mid-2013 iMac Lineup Overview
While most Apple fans are busy gawking over the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, Apple quietly updated the specs on their iMac lineup this week. A brief press release and an email blast to Apple Resellers and Specialists details the new features of the next-gen iMac.
They start with fourth generation Intel Core i5 processors, add brand new Intel Iris Pro graphics, PCIe flash storage options, and last, but certainly not least, 802.11ac Wi-Fi that is crushing previous Wi-Fi technology speeds.
The processor speeds got bumped up to start at 2.7GHz on the 21.5in base model iMac and all the way up to 3.4GHz on the beefed-up 27in model iMac. We also find the new Intel Iris Pro graphics chipset in the 21.5in base model iMac. This is a huge leap in graphics processing and speed.
According to Intel, this marks a 75x increase in graphics performance since 2006 and almost double the performance of the HD 3000 from last year. Both the 21.5in and 27in iMac come standard with a 1TB 5400rpm or 7200rpm HDD, which is certainly nothing to scoff at. It’s the PCIe 1TB Flash storage drive that is really mind-blowing!
One of the latest and greatest technologies being taken advantage of with this new lineup is the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi. We saw Apple launch the new AirPort Extreme and Time Capsules earlier this year, and after a software update, these new networking tools did not disappoint. Just imagine up to 1.3GBps transfer speeds over Wi-Fi and up to 800MBps read-and-write via the newly added PCIe bus for flash storage.
Needless to say, we’re really excited here at Small Dog to get our hands on these new machines and really see what they can do. We’ll have more info for you shortly about when they’ll be in stock.
Learn more about the new specs over at “*Engadget*”:http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/24/apple-updates-imac/ and “*Macworld.*”:http://www.macworld.com/article/2041546
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Apple Compatible Video Adapters
We’ve seen several generations of Macs in the last decade, and for some, a new adapter was introduced to connect video devices to our Macs. I’ve listed the following adapter types in order of age, and thus, relevance, to some extent. (I thought it’d be shorter listing this way rather than by machine, though I could be mistaken.)
For Small Dog’s complete list of video adapter offerings, “*check them out online.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Cables_and_Adapters%7CVideo
*HDMI (Connects to HDMI, DVI)* – Only in use on the newest Mac mini, mid-2010 model. HDMI is an audio/video standard in use for about half this past decade in A/V equipment.
*Mini DisplayPort (Connects to VGA, DVI, HDMI[using non-Apple adapters])* – This is the adapter used for all current Macs, be it a MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, MacBook Air, or iMac. While technically supporting audio as well, Apple doesn’t yet make an adapter that offers this function, and only the newest generation of Macs can support audio over Mini DisplayPort.
If you’re using a 30″ Apple Cinema Display, or other large monitor supporting a resolution of 2560×1600 or similar, the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter will be required.
??Special Note: Some devices use Mini DisplayPort as a standard input, such as the 27″ iMac (Did you know it could be used as a monitor?) and the 24″ Apple LED Cinema Display.??
??Also, MacBook Owners Beware: Do not confuse this adapter with the next one down!??
??MacBook Air Owners: The first generation uses Micro-DVI. See below.??
*Mini-DVI (Connects to VGA, DVI, S-Video, Analog Composite)* – This adapter is used by older Macs. Any MacBook older than October 2009 (non-unibody, with removable battery), Intel iMacs older than mid-2009, and Intel Mac minis older than summer 2010. Throughout this generation, the Mac Pro towers and MacBook Pros (silver keyboard) had full-size DVI only. For these devices, see the DVI adapter listed.
??Special Note: The 12″ PowerBook G4 1GHz and above also used this adapter.??
*Mini-VGA (Connects to VGA, S-Video, Analog Composite)* – We’re now going back a bit. The use of this adapter started with the white iBook 12″ (2001 Dual-USB model, just after the colorful clamshells had their time). It carried on through the 12″ PowerBook G4s (up to 867MHz models), iBook G4s, and G4 & G5 iMacs.
*Micro-DVI (Connects to VGA, DVI, S-Video, Analog Composite)* – Only the first generation MacBook Air used this adapter, introduced January 2008. The MacBook Air’s body was too thin for Mini-DVI, and it wasn’t until Mini DisplayPort was released that the MacBook Air was updated.
*DVI (Connects to VGA, DVI, S-Video, Analog Composite)* – This isn’t so much an adapter as it is a standard. Pretty much all new monitors come with this now. The PowerBook G4 & MacBook Pro 15″ & 17″, as well as G4 Mac minis, Power Mac G4 (aside from those using VGA or ADC), Power Mac G5, and Mac Pros used this as a connection standard for their external monitors. It has the same adapter options as Mini-DVI because it uses the same technology.
*ADC (Connects to Apple ADC Studio & Cinema Displays)* – This connection was in use by Apple on the Power Mac G4, Power Mac G5, and the Power Mac G4 Cube. It offered power, video, and USB over a single cable. The required adapter to use DVI displays with these machines is an ADC to DVI adapter. For using these displays with DVI machines, an Apple DVI to ADC Adapter is required, acting as a power adapter for the monitor.
*DB-15 (Connects to VGA)* – Hardly worth mentioning in this era is the connection Apple used to connect their Apple Displays to older Macs (Prior to 1999). The DB-15 connector was a different shape than VGA. This required a small adapter, and for some, a specific pin setting was required.
*iPad/iPod/iPhone Audio/Video Interface* – While technically not a Mac, I should include these. Via the Dock Connector on the bottom of the device, these devices support audio and video out through either Composite or Component Audio/Video adapters. These adapters also come with a charging block, and support for charging while playing. The iPad also supports VGA-out, using the Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter, incredibly useful for giving presentations from the iPad via a standard projector.
??Special Note: These devices support video output on a per-App basis, meaning the App Developer had to choose to include the video output function in their App. Only some apps will actually give video output, those mainly being Videos, YouTube, Keynote, and certain other third-party Apps including Netflix. The video output by these is 4:3, not offering widescreen or true high-definition options.??
*Scattered ending notes:* The second generation of iBook (FireWire, clamshell design) used a composite video cable from the headphone jack to output audio and video via composite. An older generation of iPods used composite output from the headphone jack as well, ending with the 1st Generation iPod classic. You can also connect a DVI to HDMI cable to run a television or HDMI monitor off normal DVI, should you not have an HDMI-out option on your computer. This wouldn’t support audio, which would be needed through a separate connection.
Other adapter options for newer machines/displays:
There are several adapters available for both connecting your Apple 24″ LED Cinema Display or iMac 27″ to DVI/HDMI video sources, such as the “*Gefen DVI to Mini DisplayPort Adapter.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/75596/gefen-dvi-to-mini-displayport-adapter/ I would also recommend using the *Kanex iAdapt* to connect your MacBook or MacBook Pro to HDMI with audio.
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Recovery HD
Reinstalling a computer’s operating system (OS) should not be a foreign concept to you. Whenever your computer experiences severe software issues, an effective solution is to reinstall a known-good (KG) version of your OS.
As standard as this might seem, there isn’t a day that goes by when someone doesn’t contact us about software issues and has absolutely no idea where the install DVD is.
Mountain Lion makes this easier than ever, and it’s known as the Recovery partition. Apple refers to it as OS X’s new “safety net” and does not require a physical install disc. This new feature is built into 10.8, and all you need to do is hold down Command-R during startup and OS X Recovery springs into action.
Once booted into it, you can choose from a lot of useful utilities like Disk Utility to check or repair your hard drive. You can restore your Mac from a Time Machine Backup, and even use Safari to get help from Apple Support online.
Perhaps my favorite utility that’s made available through OS X Recovery is Terminal. I strongly recommend against tinkering with this application for most users, as it gives you backdoor access to the system. Entering incorrect commands can cause major systematic issues with your computer.
However, the only command that’s easy to use is “resetpassword”. That’s right — you can reset your password free of charge! As many customers as there are who can’t recall where they placed their install discs, there are twice as many who forget their password (or worse, don’t remember even creating one).
So, when you’re in OS X Recovery, you can locate Terminal under *Utilities < Terminal.* Once the window opens, type in "resetpassword" and hit enter; the reset password utility will appear, at which point you can create a new one. Please please please, write down this new one or save it in your notes on your iPhone/iPad. (Or, look into a password app or utility that saves passwords with high security.) Do whatever you need to never lose it. Do this and you can save yourself a car ride and/or phone call.