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Concerti cases provide 360-degree protection with its hybrid silicone inner case. The inner case also has a unique soft ledge design that provides dozens of adjustable viewing angles. The front cover supports iPad’s auto-wake/sleep function and includes an elastic strap to keep the front cover securely in place when closed.
Cuddle up with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or whatever you fancy and get lost in your first book of 2015! Don’s deal is just too good to pass up this week. Purchase an iPad mini (2012 edition) with 16GB of storage and WiFi connection for only $245 and get a free Hammerhead Capo case!
This year, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday and national holiday, Small Dog Electronics is focusing attention on diversity. Small Dog Electronics celebrates diversity as part of the intrinsic values of our company. We believe we are all equal members of one human family and that our company and our community are strengthened by inclusion. Our community is stronger when we do not judge others on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Being different makes us better and enriches our lives. We fundamentally believe that equality and human rights are essential ingredients of humanity.
I think that Dr. King’s national holiday is often overlooked rather than celebrated. I think it is fantastic that our country celebrates a national holiday in honor of the ideals of equality, diversity, non-violence and peace that Dr. King devoted his life to espousing. Diversity still seems to evoke some controversy and I was pretty surprised at some of the push-back I got regarding our marketing with the Celebrate Diversity message. I do not see how that is different from “Peace on Earth” during the Christmas holiday, “Love” during Valentine’s Day, “we love moms during” Mother’s Day, or “give thanks” during Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, we feel it is an important message (a message we have used in our advertising for over a decade) and that it is particularly meaningful now.
Learn more at: “*smalldog.com/celebratediversity*”:http://www.smalldog.com/celebratediversity/celebrate-diversity
Won’t you join us in the celebration?
As the poet said: “There’s an app for that!” Sure there are LOTS of apps out there but which one should you choose? Since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend is a big weekend for getting out on the slopes, I’ve decided to focus on some of the most popular ski and snow apps out there. I can’t take all the credit as we have quite a few outdoor pups here at Small Dog headquarters. Keep an eye out if you’re at Sugarbush this weekend as that is where we like to go play. If you’re planning on staying right here in Vermont “*Ski Vermont*”:http://skivermont.com has highlighted some fun events as well as deals in their latest blog post “*here*”:http://skivermont.com/skivt-blog/2015/01/06/vermont-ski-resorts-prepare-for-an-event-filled-martin-luther-king-weekend/ and I thought it was worth sharing.
“*Find My Friends*”:https://www.apple.com/apps/find-my-friends/
No matter how hard groups try to stay together on the mountain, inevitably, at some point during the day, somebody’s going to get lost. After all, it can be hard to keep up with quick friends who fancy themselves racers (I’m looking at you, Will), foggy conditions make it hard to see, and sometimes, people just want to ski different trails or get inside for a quick -beer- break. This app uses GPS tracking so you can locate friends and family on a user-friendly map.
“*Instagram*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instagram/id389801252?mt=8
Although this app doesn’t necessarily offer ski-specific features, it sure is a great way to daydream about the slopes and keep your followers updated about all the great tracks you’re making. Explore hashtages like #skiing, #powder, or even find pictures of your favorite mountain. It’s a fun way to see awesome pictures of the slopes, document your own travels, and even meet other skiers and riders. Be sure to follow us “*@hellosmalldog!*”:http://instagram.com/hellosmalldog/
“*VSCO*”:https://itunes.apple.com/app/vsco-cam/id588013838?ls=1&mt=8
VSCO Cam has quickly emerged as the premier mobile photography app for iPhone photography, and hasn’t dropped out of the top 15 in the App Store’s Photography and Video category since it launched. If you are looking for a way to make your photos come to life before posting on other social media sites this is the app for you. VSCO Cam is the best way to shoot, edit, and share your photographs. As one app reviews states: “it provides a more thorough photo editing and filter options than photo sharing apps.”
“*SkiTracks*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ski-tracks-gps-track-recorder/id365724094?mt=8
Using your phone’s map and GPS tracking abilities, this 99-cent app shows you exactly where you’ve skied on a satellite map, while also tracking distance, speed, altitude, duration, and more. Plus, its uses a minimal amount of battery life, so you can keep it running and still attend to your texts and calls, without worrying about running out of juice.
*Resort Specific Apps*
Many larger ski resorts have developed their own free apps. These usually offer a lot of the same tracking and snow report features as the general apps. However an app such as the Sugarbush app can help you navigate your way around the slopes, lodges, activities, weather reports, live camera feeds, and much more.
Example: I always check the “*Sugarbush VT app*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sugarbush-vt/id502363474?mt=8 before heading to the mountain so I can see which trails have been groomed, lift statuses, the lines, as well as weather and most importantly the wind chill so I can layer accordingly.
“*Maprika*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gps-on-ski-map-by-maprika/id404686699?mt=8
Maprika lets you see where you are on real maps, like the ones that say “you are here” at the top of the lift. Easily locate your friends and family, and stay informed about the places you’re going. The coolest part about this app is that Maprika maps are saved to the phone’s memory, allowing for use in out-of-service areas. This app also allows you to find nearby businesses. As Dean says “it’s kind of like Yelp! for ski resorts, great when you are trying to get to know a new resort’s trail map.”
“*Liftopia*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/liftopia-ski-reports-snow/id485587348?mt=8
Purchase your lift tickets and or rentals in advance and save. Select from more than 150 resorts. This free app, “Liftopia Ski Reports, Snow Conditions and Ultimate Lift Ticket Deal Engine for iPhone and iPod touch,” though hard to remember provides an easy tool for showing a receipt at the ticket window, rather than having to deal with printing out a paper voucher (welcome to the 21st century!). Be sure you read the fine print for blackout dates before you show up at the mountain to redeem your deal. With deals like these, why not try a new mountain out!
“*Spotify*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spotify-music/id324684580?mt=8
If you are one of those people that like to listen to tunes in the background while safely carving some edges I guarantee Spotify has a playlist for you! You can browse playlists for every mood and genre. The discover page will constantly suggest new music for you based on what you’re listening to and it’s all free! With playlists like “Ski” with over 500 songs, how could you go wrong?
bq. __Editors note : Your iPhone is just like you, it really hates the bitter cold. When the temperature drops below freezing, iPhones can start malfunctioning: Your smartphone might not sense your touch, the battery dies faster and, if it’s cold enough, it will simply shut off. On its “website,”:http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201678 Apple suggests that you only use your (4th generation or later) iPhone in environments between 32º and 95º F, since “low- or high-temperature conditions might temporarily shorten battery life or cause the device to alter its behavior to regulate its temperature.”__
You may be the only person that uses your Mac and if so, you probably do not need to learn much about Users & Groups but if you share your Mac from time to time with friends or family, knowing how to set up Users and Groups can be handy.
When you open the *User & Groups* panel in *System Preferences* you can add or delete new users. When you do this you will be confronted with a pop-up box that will ask you to choose a user type. Here’s a run-down of the various types of user:
*Administrator*
An administrator user can add and manage other users, install apps, and change settings. The new user you create when you first set up your Mac is an administrator. Your Mac can have multiple administrators. You can create new ones, and convert standard users to administrators. Don’t set up automatic login for an administrator. If you do, someone could simply restart your Mac and gain access with administrator privileges. To keep your Mac secure, don’t share administrator names and passwords.
*Standard User*
Standard users are set up by an administrator. A standard user can install apps and change settings for his or her OWN use. Standard users can’t add other users or change other users’ settings.
*Managed User*
Users who are managed with parental controls can access only the apps and content specified by the administrator managing the user. The administrator can restrict the user’s contacts and website access, and place time limits on computer use.
*Sharing Only User*
Sharing-only users can access shared files remotely, but can’t log in to or change settings on the computer. To give the user permission to access your shared files or screen, you may need to change settings in the File Sharing, Screen Sharing, or Remote Management panes of Sharing preferences.
*Group*
A “group” allows multiple users to have the same access privileges. For example, you can grant a group specific access privileges for a folder or a file, and all members of the group have access. You can also assign a group specific access privileges for each of your shared folders.You control a group’s access to your shared folders by setting access permissions in the File Sharing section of Sharing preferences.
*Guest User*
Guest users can use your computer temporarily without you having to add them as individual users. You can set restrictions and guests can access only the items you want to share. Files created by a guest are stored in a temporary folder, but this folder and its contents are deleted when the guest logs out. The guest account works with the Find My Mac feature of iCloud, which can help you find your Mac if you lose it. You can locate your Mac if someone finds it, logs in as a guest, then uses Safari to access the Internet. Guests don’t need a password to log in, can’t change user or computer settings and can’t log in remotely when remote login is turned on in Sharing preferences. I use the guest user when giving a presentation in Keynote so that my email and Messages apps don’t constantly interrupt my presentation.
_Dear Friends,_
Nearly every year the biggest consumer electronics show, CES in Las Vegas is upstaged by Apple. Apple does not attend this gigantic show but the influence of Apple’s products and technology can be seen everywhere at the show. Jason and I were in Las Vegas for three days last week and my “*iPhone Health App*”:https://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/health/ said that I walked over 20,000 steps each day. The show fills the entire Las Vegas convention center and the Westgate, Sands, and Venetian expo centers. It is simply massive.
I remember, many years ago, coming to CES about the time that the candy-colored iMacs were introduced at Macworld Expo and being shocked at how many vendors at the show were taking Apple’s cue and releasing products with brightly colored plastic. Every year it seems that Apple has the greatest influence on consumer electronics even though they are not present at the show and this year was no exception. Of course, there was the iLounge with everything iPad and iPhone and hundreds of other booths offering cases and accessories for Apple’s iOS devices. But different this year was the emphasis on some of Apple’s new tools, mainly “*HealthKit*”:https://developer.apple.com/healthkit/ and “*HomeKit.*”:https://developer.apple.com/homekit/ There were of course, many companies trying to get the jump on the Apple Watch by offering wearable devices but there seemed to be a lot of waiting for that new product from Apple.
!>http://blog.smalldog.com/images/4214.jpg!
The main convention hall had a lot of products for health and fitness that worked with HealthKit. There were lots of home automation products with HomeKit and a bunch of car audio manufacturers and cool cars had CarPlay compatibility. On a whim, Grace and I decided on the last day to go over to the Sands for the exhibits at that venue and there was a whole section of the floor devoted to Health and Fitness with a lot of HealthKit compatible devices and a whole section on Home Automation with HomeKit. We ended up spending the whole day there.
!>http://blog.smalldog.com/images/4213.jpg!
Aside from the huge Apple influence at the show, there were some other remarkable products on display. A couple years ago there were maybe one or two booths that showed drones and it was certainly a fringe technology. This year there was a whole section on drones with some the size of your hand and some that were very sophisticated. Robotics in other forms were also big at the show with everything from an automated solar panel cleaner to a grill cleaner to these moveable remote controlled displays on a stick from iBeam. It was looking more and more like all the “drones and robots”:http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/13/the-fascinating-frightening-drones-and-robots-of-ces-2015/ from Star Wars.
!>http://blog.smalldog.com/images/4215.jpg!
There were, of course, the usual selection of new TVs with curved 4K OLED being this year’s buzz. Last year it was 3D TV, which seems to have disappeared now. It was a good show, good meetings, and exciting to get a glimpse of future technology.
This week’s Kibbles & Bytes exclusive is my favorite eReader – the iPad mini. I just don’t buy books anymore but read on my iPad mini and we have a handful of leftover iPad minis (2012 edition) with 16GB of storage and WiFi connection. Available either in white or space gray these are *only $245* for Kibbles & Bytes readers and I will give you a free Hammerhead Capo case with your purchase (a $25 value!).
“*See this great deal here!*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001713
Go Further. Play Longer.
* Expand iPad capacity without cables or Internet access
* Share files with 5 devices at once
* Play media on devices via mobile app
* Stream to Apple TV and AirPlay devices
Order now and receive *FREE SHIPPING!*
The Audioengine B2 wireless speaker system is attractive, easy to use, and delivers room-filling sound. Some key features include: dual front-panel slot ports which enhance the bass, removable magnetic grille, stereo minijack auxiliary input for portable music devices, rear-panel volume control, and detachable AC power cord.
The Audioengine B2 adds atmosphere and style to any room.
Apple has a knack for layout and design that is unparalleled across the industry and has been widely regarded as the best in the business when it comes to systems that are straightforward and useful right out of the box. However, there’s an obvious sense in the newer versions of OS X that some things are missing, and a LOT of things sure are different. Having talked to a number of frustrated customers, I’ve come up with a list of common tweaks that might help both personalize and optimize your system. Though I really have mostly been impressed by the new developments, Apple may have overstepped the line between functionality and beauty in a few places in Yosemite. That’s not to say the same functionality isn’t present, it’s actually readily available, but in my day I see plenty of users who do not know where to look for themselves.
I’ve noticed that with each upgrade of OS X, the sidebar in Finder has changed in it’s focus. In the past, things were based on a hierarchical system that began with Macintosh HD, followed sub-folders, and left space for Smart Folders and other links below. In Yosemite, Apple approaches file management in a revolutionary yet sometimes confusing way. You can easily revert to the tried-and-true sidebar or customize it exactly to your specifications within Finder’s preferences – just look for the sidebar tab and you can pick and choose a layout that works for you! There are similar settings for almost all of the built-in apps on your Mac…
* Don’t like the dock on the bottom of your screen? Switch it up! A lot of customers prefer to have their Dock auto-hide or display on the left side of their screen: *System Preferences > Dock*
* You can get fancy and organize your desktop by a wide range of sorting options in the View Options menu: *Command-J*
* Try setting up some Automator workflows for common tasks every day! You can even use voice commands to trigger a script. “*See this great article on Automator for more information.*”:http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT2488
* Color code your files and folders! Pull up a contextual menu (by right- or Control-clicking on any item) in Finder and you’ll see the Label section available. It’s a great way to differentiate between projects that have multiple directories or as a progress indicator.
* Remember that you can easily create Smart Folders in Finder to automatically run filter searches on your directories: *File > New Smart Folder*
* You can hold the Command key and drag around menu items in multiple applications, as well as the system menu bar (right side only).
Remember – it’s YOUR Mac. YOU are the one who uses it every day. Why not make it work with your own style? There’s so much customization at your fingertips. You don’t need to just settle for the default. Explore your Mac and have fun with it!
I’m a somewhat recent convert to the Apple world. My first Mac was a hand-me-down from a friend: a first-generation white MacBook from 2006. I got that machine in the winter of 2011. It had Mac OS 10.6 (AKA Snow Leopard) on it when I got it, and that is where my personal experiences with Mac OS X began.
We’ll start with Mac OS 10.5 (AKA Leopard) which is no longer supported by Apple. It was the first Mac OS to include Time Machine, Apple’s fantastic backup utility. It was also the first Mac OS to include Dashboard, where you can have widgets that can be really useful, or just fun (although there are a few that leave me wondering why they exist).
Mac OS 10.6 (AKA Snow Leopard), as the nickname reflects, isn’t a major overhaul, so much as a refinement of Leopard. Most of the changes were under the hood and were designed to use less system resources and run more smoothly. Steve Jobs felt like the features could wait while the code was tightened up. Many users reported that it felt like they got a new machine after this OS upgrade. This was the last version of Mac OS to be sold on an physical disc – a DVD in this case.
Snow Leopard is a gold standard of sorts. It’s recommended for older machines that might be capable of running a later version, but users will likely experience the best performance on 10.6. A very important feature/aspect of 10.6 is that it is the last Mac OS to include support for Rosetta, the software that allowed the Intel processor in post-2005 Macs to run software coded for the PowerPC processor. If you have old apps that you can’t afford to upgrade, or if you don’t want to deal with changes, you should really stick with 10.6 Snow Leopard.
Mac OS 10.7 (AKA Lion) is a whole different cat, and a significant evolutionary development. This version of the Mac OS was the first to be only available as a download. There was no physical medium and at no point was there ever a physical disc that you could buy from Apple with Lion on it. For $30, the lowest upgrade cost ever, you could get Lion. It was very forward thinking, and really was looking into the future. There was a crossover of features between iOS and Mac OS, gestures for one, so now that fabulous “*Magic Trackpad*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76695/apple-magic-trackpad (the only trackpad I’ve ever loved, I used to be a ThinkPad fanboy and the TrackPoint was bar none for pointing, in my far from humble opinion). All of the OS updates and software were downloaded through the Mac App Store. This makes for a really clean and easy spot to do all of your system updates and many program updates. One of the strangest features of Lion was “*Launchpad,*”:http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202635 a very iOS like grid of apps that looked just like the iOS home screen, and behaved similarly. Many folks have been confused by this and don’t really understand the utility. Another very important thing to be noted for Lion is that they dropped Rosetta support. If you have old PowerPC programs, they will no longer work on Lion.
We’ll continue this adventure down memory lane in a future Tech Tails. I know this has been by no means completely exhaustive, and I’m sure there are many significant features and developments I’ve left out. What is above is what I remember as the most significant bits that really stuck out for me. Until next time…
This is more of a “life hack” suggestion than a tale of tech, but I think it applies to those of you looking to get more out of your iPhone…
Let’s face it, a lot of us feel troubled while trying to keep track of our budgets. A lot of people, myself included, spend from the same account that their income goes into.
Google has a service that’s been out for a while called Google Wallet. This isn’t news, and some of you probably use it already, but I’ve started carrying it in lieu of cash. Google Wallet is basically a debit account that can be used at any credit card location and ATM. There are no fees attached, and it can be loaded from your checking account.
The best part of this service, for myself and others I know, is the fantastic app for both iOS and Android. The app allows you to track your spending and use, and load money from your bank account at any time. Also, unlike other services, the transfer is practically instant, taking 30 seconds to put more money on the card, versus some similar services which take up to a week or more to complete a transfer.
This card has become my spending money card. I load it with a specific budget for spending cash each Monday, and reload it back to the amount I’ve set for myself each week. In addition, it also gives you your current balance and recent spending activity on the main page of the app.
The app itself can be secured by Touch ID, which is why I even suggest it. My pocket cash is now on plastic and behind Touch ID and PIN verification, and is tracked easily throughout the week. It’s helped me get a handle on my spending and I’d recommend others try it if they find themselves in a similar situation!
You can download the Wallet app on the iOS App Store, and set it all up with a few simple steps right from your phone.
Editor’s Note: This service requires a Google account and your basic checking account number and routing information.
_Happy Winter, Friends!_
We’re now in the negatives (Celsius and Fahrenheit…but thankfully not Kelvin) with a light dusting of snow intermittently white-washing our roads and houses. It is cold outside, so do not leave anything with a battery in your car overnight, or the cold can kill the battery, or significantly harm it. I keep having to run back to my car in negative temperatures to rescue something I had left behind. I would much rather have remembered to bring it inside in the first place and keep enjoying my warm tea indoors.
The holiday season has seen a significant increase in repairs, and things were already pretty busy! However, we have added some wonderful new members to our service department, and we expect to be in much better shape in the upcoming month or two.
I hope your holiday stresses have drifted away like wind-blown snow. Welcome to 2015! It’s great to be here with you!
-Mikhael
“mikhael@smalldog.com”:mailto:mikhael@smalldog.com