Author: Mike Moffit

Director of IT

  • Amazon Smartphone With 3D Screen?

    Amazon is in the process of developing their own smartphones. The coolest thing about one of the high-end models is that it will reportedly integrate a new glasses-free 3D screen. The way that it would work is that there is a front facing camera that uses eye tracking software to create an image that moves in such a way that it appears to protrude from the screen. Think Star Wars style holograms that are only visible to the user of the phone. Unfortunately for us users, this is all still in the rumor stage at this point.

    Amazon has long been a purveyor of every imaginable product, but in the past 3-5 years there have been a bunch of rumors that the company is moving into making their own products. I think if they are going to manufacture smartphones this would be a great way to start out on their venture.

    I need to send a message to a certain Jedi requesting his aid and it won’t look the same in 2D. Help me Amazon, you are my only hope.

    The article referenced in this is available at:

    “http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/09/amazon-developing-smartphone-with-3d-display/”:http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/09/amazon-developing-smartphone-with-3d-display/

  • _Hello Readers,_

    Well, after a week of summer we are backsliding into April temperatures again and we may even have frost tonight. That’s not a bad thing if you ask me. I like gradual season changes, and skipping a step like spring is a bit jarring for me, so I’m happy for a second chance. Maybe this time I will get some grass seed down before it gets hot again!

    Anyway, this week you’ll get to join Kyle on an interesting journey through Apple’s Boot Camp process. I’m sure many of you will have fond recollections as you read along. Taylor brings word of a potential new thing in smartphones and Mike has this week’s cautionary tale. Have your tin foil hats ready folks.

    Thanks for reading,

    Liam
    “*liam@smalldog.com*”:mailto:liam@smalldog.com

  • Show off your iPad mini in a case that’s both simple and elegant. The Hammerhead Folio case for iPad mini protects your iPad…

  • It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, so if you have a mom who made things great, take a moment and do something nice for her. She’s worth it!

    Thanks for reading. Don’s back next week!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
    _Kali, Steph, Mike B. & Mike D._

  • Apple's iRadio service: Coming soon?

    Apple, Universal Music, and other record labels are getting closer to reaching a deal for Apple to roll out its free Internet radio service. Apple began talking with record labels about getting rights for a music-streaming service and came in with an offer to pay 6 cents per 100 songs streamed (as a comparison Pandora pays 12 cents, iHeart pays 22 cents and Spotify pays 35 cents). After negotiations, the labels and Apple have apparently finally settled on a per-stream rate that will be the same as Pandora or higher.

    Why the big fight for Apple to pay a higher per-stream rate? Labels are afraid that Apple might roll out it’s iRadio with little to no advertising, which would mean that the per-stream revenue is the only money that the labels receive. If Apple builds in audio ads, however, rights holders would also get about 50 percent of the ad revenue. This fear may be justified as Apple has not yet built an iAd infrastructure, and thanks to their enormous pile of cash (around $137 billion) this revenue stream may not be an integral part of their initial roll out of this service.

    iRadio would be tied to iTunes and designed for mobile devices. It is rumored to contain features that allow you to rewind a song as well as the ability to purchase a song, which might be appealing to the labels who would collect about 70 percent of every dollar from an iTunes purchase.

    Currently there are 500 million iTunes accounts (compared to “only” 70 million Pandora accounts), which puts Apple in a position to gain a large customer base very quickly. There is increasing competition in this growing market, though. Google is aiming to launch its own radio-type product that will work on desktops and mobile devices this summer.

    We could potentially hear some more information about this during “WWDC”:https://developer.apple.com/wwdc/ in June. What do you think? Would you give up listening to Pandora, Spotify and other Internet based radio services and use Apple’s version instead?

  • 50 Billion Apps Countdown

    Every now and again Apple approaches a milestone at one of their online stores and they usually like to celebrate it with a giveaway. This time it happens to be The App Store’s 50 billionth download. That number is just staggering to me. My measly 16GB iPhone can only hold a handful of apps along with my photos and music. I probably have 50 apps on it, including the ones that come standard. So when Apple hits that mark I will be responsible for only 0.0000001% of the total.

    It isn’t just about being a part of Apple history, though. Everyone who downloads an app has the chance to be the winner of a spectacular grand prize. If you end up being the lucky one to download the 50 billionth app you will get an App Store Gift Card worth $10,000! Since Apple isn’t like the Highlander movies where “there can be only one” winner the next 50 people to download an app will win a $500 App Store Gift Card. Gosh, isn’t Apple nice!

    Because Apple is so nice (and compliant with the law) they give everyone an option to enter the contest without purchasing or downloading apps. All you have to do is fill out a form on Apple’s website and you are in. Keep in mind that when you hit submit it is the equivalent of buying an app, so dust off your clicking skills and time that entry right.

    “Enter the contest here.”:http://www.apple.com/itunes/50-billion-app-countdown/entry-form/

    I for one cannot imagine what I would do with $10,000 in App Store money. If I had to venture a guess, I would probably buy every single song and movie I have ever wanted and convert all of my free version of apps to their paid counterparts. However, I doubt that doing this would even put a dent in that big chuck of App Store bucks. It would probably last me for years.

    I’m interested to hear what our readers would do if they won the grand prize. So I ask, how would you spend $10,000 in App Store money?

  • MAC TREAT #206: iOS Browser History In Safari

    From time to time I stumble across features on my iPhone that I never knew existed. The other day just happened to be one of those times and I was so excited I have been telling everyone!

    I was simply browsing some website in Safari, when my thumb unintentionally happened to rest on the back navigation arrow for a few seconds longer than normal. All of sudden, a menu popped up from the bottom of the screen. To my amazement, it contained a list of the last few sites I had been to. Of course this type of navigation feature is present in Safari on your Mac, but due to Safari being “mobilized” for the iPhone I never expected this feature to be there. I was pleasantly surprised.

    To recap, this is what I did:

    * Open Safari on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad
    * Start browsing the web. Go to a few of your favorite sites (like smalldog.com):http://www.smalldog.com
    * When the back arrow in the bottom left corner turns white press and hold it until a menu pops up
    * Select whichever site you’d like to go back to from the list

  • _Dear Friends,_

    Don is in California this week, so I’m coming to you from good ol’ Vermont before I, too, take to the skies. I’m headed south to see family, to celebrate my brother’s completion of grad school, and for a little break after our Rutland store’s grand opening (and everything that went into it!).

    By all accounts, our Rutland store opening was a tremendous success! We saw hundreds of enthusiastic people come through the doors, and we were pleased to find a mix of current and new customers. For many, it was the first time they had set foot in a Small Dog store, and they wanted to find out what we were all about. For others, having a local Small Dog store in Rutland meant they no longer had to travel an hour+ to get their Apple fix, and we even met a few long-time readers of our newsletters (thank you!) who came out to mark the occasion. The entire Small Dog team came together to put our collective ‘all’ into it, and I couldn’t be more pleased about our newest location.

    Spring has sprung in Vermont, and with it, comes warmer weather (at last) and a chance to formally celebrate the mom, dad, or recent grad in your life. I’m thankful I have all three this year — having had a child myself, I can appreciate my parents that much more, and I’m especially proud of my little brother for graduating from one of the best grad schools in the country while holding down a high-pressure job in DC. Of course, I’m happy to be spending time with them, but since they’re also gadget lovers like I am, I’ll be bringing some treats!

    Check out our tech gifts, large and small at “*Smalldog.com/grads*”:http://www.smalldog.com/grads or “*Smalldog.com/dads.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/dads Plus, if you’re in the market for a new Mac, you could save up to $100 off a new Mac! (Soon, mom, soon…)

  • Hey, Moms, Dads & Grads!

    It’s that time of year again when we come together to recognize achievements and honor our parents. Like we have done in years past, we have some great deals that will help you save when you are picking out he perfect gift for your mom, dad or grad to commemorate the occasion. Here is the full breakdown of what we have going on:

    *Up to $100 Off Any New MacBook Pro or Air*
    Purchase any new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air with AppleCare and you can save $100 on the 15-inch models and $60 on every 11 or 13-inch. But the savings don’t stop there. We are also including one of our Hammerhead Neoprene Cases (a $29.99 value), absolutely FREE!

    * “13in MacBook Pro & 11in/13in MacBook Air”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000725?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “15in MacBook Pro”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000724?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

    *Up to $100 Off Any New iMac*
    Purchase any new iMac with AppleCare and you can save $100 on the 27-inch models and $60 on 21.5-inch. Not only do you save cold hard cash, but, we are tossing in a Hammerhead Dual Port AC Adapter (a $14.99 value), absolutely FREE!

    * “21.5in iMac”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000726?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “27in iMac”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000728?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

    *Buy Any iPad & Get Free Accessories*
    Purchase any new iPad or iPad mini and receive your very own Hammerhead Accessory starter package absolutely FREE! The starter kit includes your choice of either a Capo Case for iPad mini or Folio Case for iPad, a screen protector and a stylus, a value up to $79.99! ??Due to our restrictions from Apple you’ll have to call in or stop by one of our stores to cash in on this special.??

    * “iPad”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/iPad/iPad_with_Retina_Display_4th_Gen?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “iPad mini”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/iPad/iPad_mini?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

    *Save 10% on Select Hard Drives*
    Purchase any external hard drive from LaCie, Seagate or G-Tech and save 10% right off the bat! ??Due to our restrictions from these manufacturers you’ll have to call in or stop by one of our stores to cash in on this special.??

    * “LaCie”:http://www.smalldog.com/mfg/?MfrName=LaCie&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “Seagate”:http://www.smalldog.com/mfg?MfrName=Seagate&page=1&refinecat=Storage_and_Backup|External_Hard_Drives&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “G-Tech”:http://www.smalldog.com/mfg/?MfrName=G-Technology&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

    “*BoGo Chill Pills*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000729?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    Everyone loves our Chill Pill and now you can share the love with our buy-one-get-one special. Choose any color Chill Pill for you and someone else — they never need to know their’s was free.

    *$10 off Select Headphones*
    Purchase any headphone made by Sennheiser or Urbanears and instantly save $10! Choose from our more popular models like the “*Urbanears Plattan*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/81150?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg or go with something more portable like the “*Sennheiser CX310 earbuds*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80410?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg. ??Due to our restrictions from these manufacturers you’ll have to call in or stop by one of our stores to cash in on this special.??
    * “Sennheiser”:http://www.smalldog.com/mfg/?MfrName=Sennheiser%20Electronic&page=1&refinecat=Audio|Headphones&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “Urbanears”:http://www.smalldog.com/mfg/?MfrName=Urbanears&page=1&refinecat=Audio|Headphones&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

    *Save Up to 60% Select Altec Lansing Speakers*
    Purchase the Altec Lansing BXR1321 and save 60% or get the VS2621 and save 40%!

    * “BXR1321”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000730?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “VS2621”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000731?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

    “*70% Off Matias Keyboard & Mouse Combo*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900000727?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    Purchase the Matias Folding Keyboard & Mouse 2-in-1 combo and save 70%, a $70 value!

    *Save 10% on All iPod, iPhone & iPad Cases*
    Every single case that fits an iOS device is 10% off, and we mean __every one__ we have from Otterbox to Hammerhead — take your pick! ??Due to our restrictions from these manufacturers, you’ll have to call in or stop by one of our stores to cash in on this special.??

    * “iPod”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/iPod_Accessories/Cases_?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “iPhone”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/iPhone_Accessories/Cases?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg
    * “iPad”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/iPod_Accessories/Cases_?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=mdg

  • Verbose Mode

    Verbose mode is a diagnostic function built into all Macs. What this allows you to do is witness the behind the scenes processes that run while your machine starts up. One way to enable this for a single boot session if you just want to see it is hold “command” and “v” keys during boot.

    It can be fun to look at occasionally or for diagnostics, and the next time you start up, your machine will boot normally. During extended diagnostics we sometimes set machines to start up in verbose mode by default, and of course you can do this to for fun if you’d like.

    First thing you need to do is open the application Terminal. Terminal is located in the Utilities folder on your Mac. Once running terminal enter the following command:

    sudo nvram boot-args= “-v”

    Now if you want to see the effects of this, close Terminal and restart your machine. This is a tool that most people will not need to use, but comes in handy if you are having issues during boot, and want to see what errors are presented.

    If you do this, and you want to revert to the normal graphic boot, open Terminal again, and enter this command:

    sudo nvram boot-args=

    This will disable this, and bring your computer back to normal Mac OS X boot.

  • Up Next?

    While browsing the internet the other day, I stumbled across an article saying that Apple had submitted a patent for a hybrid tablet/laptop designed machine. My curiosity was piqued because I personally was interested in the Android tablets that had the dockable keyboard and provided touch pad and USB ports as well as another battery to extend your use time, but ultimately I decided against it because it was Android.

    So now I read this article that Apple may be making this very product! Will it have OS X on it or iOS 6/7? Will there be a Retina Display? And again, will there finally be an Apple tablet with OSX on it finally when Windows has been doing it for years? This is all speculation and rumor but the possibilities for the next big technological trend is always exciting to think and dream about.

    There is still talk about the ‘SmartWatch,’ and what it will entail. The iPod nano can be considered Apple’s ‘first’ smart watch, with FM radio, Nike run tracker, music, photos and such. What the nano is lacking is Wi-Fi, the ability to be a smaller version of an iPod touch and to acquire music wirelessly without connecting to a computer. Wireless headphones would be nice, too; if only the nano had Bluetooth…

    With all the accessories out there (like the armband for the iPod touch or the iPhone), what’s to stop you from wearing the armband on your forearm, and wouldn’t that technically be a “smart watch” since it does everything that salivating consumers are hoping for? Since the armband and an iPhone are pretty much anti-stylish for everyday wear, it gets knocked out of being classified as a smart watch. The iPod nano previous generation had the perfect size for a watch, but can you really imagine typing on a keyboard on that tiny 1.5″ screen?

  • Installing Applications: What, Where and How

    One of the most persistent “misunderstandings” I see as a technician is when applications are installed improperly (Skype and Firefox, I’m looking at you!). The Mac doesn’t include a guide for how to install software from third parties, and as such, a lot of users are left fending for themselves.

    First, let’s take a look at what a Mac application looks like. Generally, it shows as a single file, with icon and name. Most of these are in the Applications folder. This single file is in fact a package with most, if not all, of the the resources that program needs. Unlike in Windows, where one needs to dig through a ton of related files just to find the application file, with Mac applications, you need only double-click on this package to open the software.

    When we download a Mac application, it’s often stored within something called a “Disk Image”, in which it cannot be modified. This is to keep the original software intact and unmodifiable by others.

    Open this disk image, and it will “mount” on the computer, much like any USB drive or DVD disc would. It can be opened from a new Finder window. Now the downloaded application is sitting in the mounted and open disk image. But it’s not time to use it yet, this is the key step. It needs to be copied to the Applications folder on the Mac. Just dragging and dropping it is enough. Once this is done, we “eject” the disk image just as we would any other disk. Now the new software may be opened from the Applications folder.

    The important distinction is that the Application shouldn’t be opened from the disk image, as it may need to make changes to itself or store temporary files within itself, and it’s being opened from a disk that cannot be modified. Opening a copy from the Applications folder is highly preferred.