Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • Tech Talk 101 Series: "Yosemite: What's New?"

    Another installment in our Tech Talk 101 Series will be held at our South Burlington store. We strive to pick topics that customers have asked us about and that we feel can help you learn to make the most of your Mac! These events will be an hour long, with about 40-45 of presented content and 15-20 minutes for questions.

    Stay up to date and learn what’s new in OS X Yosemite:

    • Accessibility Options
    • AirDrop: Recieve files anytime.
    • HandOff: Pick up where you left off.
    • iCloud Drive: Store, Access, and Organize your files anywhere
    • Spotlight: New design, features, and apps.
    • And much more!

    Mark your calendar and reserve your seat here for Wednesday February 11th, from 7-8 PM, at our South Burlington location at 100 Dorset Street. PLEASE NOTE: RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED; PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT.

    Please contact us with any questions!

  • New Pups

    WOW! What a busy time this has been for us! During the buzz of the holiday season we brought on some new hires in our retail stores and want to formally introduce them to our readers. We are thrilled to have more members on our team!

    **Meet Jonathan**
    __Rutland, VT store__

    Jonathan joined the Rutland team in mid December. He’s a local in the Rutland area and is likely a familiar face to many. Jon has spent the last several years working out-of-state and recently returned to the Rutland area. In his short time at Small Dog, Jon has really excelled and his true tech side has shined! In addition to working on the retail floor, Jon is also training to become an Apple Certified Mac Technician! We are very pleased to have him on our team.

    **Meet Moses**
    __S. Burlington, VT store__

    Recently we added a new member to our service department in South Burlington, though he is no stranger to the company. Moses Laporte began working as a sales associate for Small Dog in late 2008. After three years on the sales floor, he moved on to something new, but has recently rejoined our team as a full-time technician.

    In his free time, he is well known for his baking, specifically vegan bread and other exciting vegan creations. He’s a native Vermonter, collector of vintage and recent tech gear, and has a natural knack for problem solving. Whether he is out on the counter assisting customers, or installing Mac parts, Moses is an excellent tech, and a welcome return to the Small Dog family.

    Make sure to say hello to Moses and Jon!

  • Beats Studio 2.0 Review

    As someone who relies on either public transportation, or his own two legs to get back and forth, it goes without saying that my iPhone is essential when it comes to my daily commute. I’ve never really been a person who has been a huge fan of earbuds. I’ve always preferred headphones that go over my ears, instead of on top of them, or in them. I tried the first version of the **Beats Studios**, because of the Adaptive Noise Canceling feature, but I didn’t end up keeping them because they needed AAA batteries to function. Not only that, but the headphones themselves needed them to even turn on. Needless to say I did not keep them.

    However, once the **Studio 2.0** came out, I decided to give them another try. There were a number of changes that were made to the Studio 2.0 that really sealed the deal for me. First was the style: they are really sleek and very light. The cups of the headphones are very comfortable too, perfect for when you need to wear the headphones for an extended period of time. The first version of the studios were not very pleasant to look at, and to me, they felt a little weighty. But that’s changed completely with the 2.0. Secondly, there is a rechargeable battery built into the headphones, so wave goodbye to having to replace the batteries every 10 hours or so. The battery inside the Studio 2.0 headphones lasts about 20 hours, and with a battery gauge on the side, you’ll always know when you are due for a recharge. It is easy to be intimidated by the Beats brand, given the name, and all the hype that surrounds it. However, we have demo kiosks at all of our Small Dog retail locations, so come on in and check them out. I think you’ll be impressed by what you hear!

  • Osprey has landed at Small Dog

    **Osprey Packs** are a legendary name in the outdoor gear world. I have one that took good care of me on a 50 mile backpacking trip through the Canadian Rockies, and another that kept me company in the side-country of Jackson Hole. Much to my wife’s chagrin (I’m a gear addict) I’ve now added the **Nano Port** from Osprey’s travel series to the mix. I’m an iMac user and no longer have a laptop for work, so my iPad is my Apple gear for the road. Not too bulky, and with all the right pockets to take care of the phone, keys, and sunglasses among other things, this will keep me traveling light. The coolest feature, though, has to be the **Port Window**. It’s a padded pouch in the front flap with a clear, touch-sensitive window on the opposite side that allows you to use your iPad without removing it from the bag. Add to that Osprey’s “All Mighty Guarantee” and this purchase was an easy one to make. Check out the other Osprey styles and colors at SmallDog.com.

  • Love ROCKS!

    Looking for a gift that will last longer than flowers or chocolate? Small Dog Electronics can help spread the love with a **free twenty five dollar iTunes gift card** when you purchase any iPod Nano or iPod Touch with a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones! Remember there’s more than one way to say I love you.

  • Hi from Rutland!

    Hello to all you devoted customers of Small Dog Electronics from our Rutland Store! I don’t know about you guys but it has been BRUTAL out there for me with the cold temperatures. Now that we have reached the end of this notoriously cold month of January, it’s hopefully time to think forward to a time of warmth and comfort! As much as we love seeing people dance around on the ice out of our window here, it will certainly be nice to actually be able to drive safely again.

    Here at Small Dog Electronics, we are certainly looking to the future and next up on our list is, you guessed it, Valentines Day! That is right folks, it’s that time of year again. Time to get your thinking caps on to come up with some excellent gift ideas for the significant other in your life! What better way to say “will you be my Valentine?” than to say it with a new iPad or iPod bought from your friends over at Small Dog Electronics. We are here to be by your side every step of the way this February and every other month of the year!

    Thank you for reading and I hope to see many of you soon on your next visit to Rutland!

    Jamie Willis
    “jamie@smalldog.com”:mailto:jamie@smalldog.com

  • Super Bowl Sunday! I’ll watch the game, if only to see the commercials (“*like this one,*”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAsjRRMMg_Q awe) and to see if the Patriots find any new ways to ‘bend’ the rules. It should be a good game and I have a few “*Heady Toppers*”:http://alchemistbeer.com left for the event.

    Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,

    _Don, Rachel, Dean & Mike_

  • SPECIAL | Jam Anywhere

    Turn your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad into the ultimate mobile guitar and bass sound studio with the AmpliTube iRig. Simply plug the iRig interface into your mobile device, plug your instrument into the appropriate input jack, plug in your headphones, amp or powered speakers, download “*AmpliTube FREE*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube-free/id373309342?mt=8&at=11lb7k version for iPhone or for iPad, and start rocking!

    The iRig KEYS is a portable USB MIDI controller with plug-and-play functionality that works with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Mac and Windows computers. It features 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys and a 3-octave range plus one note. Its small footprint takes up minimal desktop space and it can easily fit into a backpack or carry-on bag.

  • SPECIAL | Rise and Shine

    The Twelve South HiRise for iMac is a clever new adjustable stand that raises your iMac or Apple Display to your optimal viewing height. A stunningly simple design and an easy-to-adjust internal metal support shelf make this a must-have accessory for anyone who works long hours in front of an iMac or Apple Display.

  • SPECIAL | DJ Turn Up The Music

    Beats Solo HD headphones look as good as they sound. Drenched in color, these Beats are the first to feature matching ear cups, cord, and headband in a unique matte finish with a reflective Beats logo. Compact enough to fit in your bag, Solo HD headphones deliver the superior sound Beats by Dr. Dre products are famous for.

  • REFURBISHED SPECIAL | (Almost) Too Good To Be True!

    Let’s review one more time in case you missed it in Don’s introduction.

    * Apple Certified Refurbished MacBook Air 13-inch 1.3GHz i5 4GB/256GB
    * AppleCare Protection Plan: 3-years of protection for hardware, as well as 3-years of free tech support from Apple.
    * Seagate 1TB Back-up Plus Slim USB 3.0 Drive: Small, and portable for travel, back up on the go.
    * Hammerhead Neoprene Case for MacBook Air: Protect your new computer in stylish color of your choice, wherever you might bring it.

    ALL for *$1,219!*

  • Staying Charged and Connected

    Where would you be without your mobile phone nowadays? Without phone calls, text messages, social media, and even music and television? And let’s not forget being able to snap a quick selfie and being able to open all those apps that keep you going with a simple tap. As the potentially historic winter storm Juno barreled towards the Northeast, I thought about where I would be without my phone. Left with a stylish but useless brick, flashlight-less, and disconnected from society…yes a little dramatic, I know.

    Here are a few tools and tips to try to keep you connected longer when the apocalypse inevitably happens…

    *Battery Charger*

    A backup charger for our phone or tablet can keep you linked in longer.

    “Juice packs” like “*this one for the iPhone 5/5s*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/82180/mophie-juice-pack-air-for-iphone-5-5s-black double as a protective case while charging your device. These can add a little extra bulk to your phone, which I personally don’t like. So a great alternative is a battery-powered backup charger like the “*Just Mobile Gum +++ Portable USB Power Pack*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/86345/just-mobile-gum-portable-usb-power-pack-for-iphone-ipad-aluminum-gray which can provide up to three full recharges for your mobile device after the usual electrical options are gone.

    Just remember to charge these devices BEFORE the next power outage.

    *Solar Power*

    In case you forgot to charge up your device and backup battery chargers…take advantage of the sun with the “*Guide 10 Solar Recharging Kit from Goal Zero.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/83719/guide-10-plus-solar-recharging-kit-with-nomad-7 This kit allows you to go anywhere with its ability to charge AA/AAA batteries from the sun. You can than connect the power back to the USB port and power your phone, GPS, or perk up any tablet in a pinch. Solar power can be a great alternative especially for those outdoor pups that like to get lost in the woods on the weekend.

    *Laptop as Backup Generator*

    Sure it seems obvious now that I’ve mentioned it, but it’s the sort of thing that can slip your mind when there is a lot of other preparation and shoveling to be done. Again, at first sight of apocalypse, historic storm, or other disaster, fully charge your laptop, or if you are like some of us Small Dogger’s, laptops plural. Then resist the temptation to use this device. When other power sources go out, plug your phone or tablet into the laptop, via the USB port, and __voilà__ you just gained a few more hours of connectivity.

    *Stop Running Apps*

    Check your phone’s settings. Some apps are sneaky and run even when you’re not using them, causing your battery to drain faster. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are the biggest culprits, but there are plenty of others. Disable Wi-Fi on an iPhone by going to *Settings* > *Wi-Fi* > and slide the green switch to the left.

    Fun fact: Texting burns less power than a phone call, just make sure you turn down your screen’s brightness. Who would make a phone call in such a crisis? Oh, and those social media/news/weather apps that constantly ping you with updates…they use a lot of battery, so you might also consider turning off those push notifications in “*Notifications.*”

    *Use a Battery-life App*

    Several free apps for iOS devices promise to help extend your phone’s battery life. “*Battery Doctor*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battery-doctor-must-have-battery/id615987910?mt=8 seems to be one of the most popular. It is a free and feature-packed battery monitor and energy saving tool that allows users to quickly look up battery charge status, as well as track down what apps and processes are draining battery life. However if you’d prefer not to download another app I find the best way to identify which apps should be closed is by visiting *Settings* > *General* > *Usage* > *Battery Usage*. After identifying the culprits, close out or delete if they can be spared.