Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • GARAGE SALE | Closing Out…

    The “*Famous Garage Sale*”:http://www.smalldog.com/garagesale is still going, and there are still some gems left. Check out what we’ve got, and act quickly to secure your treasure!

    With top brands including products from Apple, Beats by Dre, LaCie, Samsung and more, there’s an extremely limited quantity of these deals priced to sell out fast. You could potentially outfit your iPod, iPad or iPhone for $5 or less!

    *Remember — The Famous Garage Sale is ONLINE ONLY. No calls please; orders will not be taken over the phone.* Thanks, and happy shopping!

  • Small Dog Ballpark Bingo at the Lake Monsters

    Local Vermonters, we encourage you to head out to Centennial Field tonight for some baseball and Ballpark Bingo with the Lake Monsters! We’re sponsors of Friday Night Ballpark Bingo, and it’s your chance to try your luck and win some great prizes.

    Tonight, you’ll have a chance to win a Chill Pill Audio “*Chill Box*”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=chill+box ($100 value) and the first 500 kids into the stadium get a free Lake Monsters baseball!

    “*Check out the schedule here*”:http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t462 and enjoy a nice summer night at the park!

  • Dog Days of Summer Starts Monday!

    Headed back to school? Stop here first. OK, OK, we know. It’s still summer and nobody really wants to talk about the “s” word yet, but we want you to be prepared. We have dozens of deals on cases for iPhone and iPad, hard drives, speakers, headphones, and any other gear you’d want for the dorm (and beyond).

    Plus, you’ll save up to $250 on a Mac bundle and up to $100 on an iPad bundle — those are double the savings that you’ll find at Apple! Our promotions begin this Monday, *July 21st* and will run until *September 14th,* so there’s plenty of time to take advantage of some seriously great deals.

    Not near one of our stores? Visit “*www.smalldog.com/dogdays*”:http://www.smalldog.com/dogdays/mac-to-school and you can take advantage of the same deals online!

  • Apple TV: A Great Companion on the Road

    Recently, Small Dog sent me to a fraud prevention conference that had me in a hotel room for four nights.  As I was packing my suitcase, I had a thought…why not take my *Apple TV* with me?

    I knew that the hotel provided free Wi-Fi during the conference and most hotel rooms have HD televisions with HDMI inputs at this point. Since the Apple TV is only slightly larger than a deck of playing cards, it wasn’t going to take up a huge amount of room in my suitcase.

    I am really glad I made the call to bring it along, because it was nice to be able to have access to Netflix and Hulu at the end of the day, as well as all the movies I had previously purchased from iTunes. I was able to watch a movie every night without paying the hotel’s rental fees, which, by the way, was $14.99 for Pacific Rim, a movie that is available to own from iTunes for $17.99. 

    From now on, when I travel, the “*Apple TV*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80135/apple-tv-2012?utm_expid=44868091-14.U7z_jlVMSfyvmNjMFS5J7w.0&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smalldog.com%2Fsearch%3Fsearch%3Dapple%2Btv is coming with me!

  • iPhone's Mysterious "Other" Data

    If you’ve ever filled your iPhone to capacity, you may have suddenly noticed a gray section of stored data titled “Other” in iTunes. What could this mysterious data be?

    Well, there could be a couple things that could be contributing to it, but the most likely culprits are your apps. More specifically, one culprit: iMessage. You’re probably not aware of this, but every time you send or receive a file within an iMessage — whether it’s photos or various documents — your iPhone stores that data. If you are like millions of other users who enjoy sending silly photos to friends and family (or inappropriate ones if you’re into that sort of thing), that data can accumulate very quickly over time.

    On the rare occasion, restoring the iOS on your iPhone can resolve this issue, but the less invasive solution is to locate problematic apps on your phone that could be taking up space.

    To free up that space, follow these instructions:

    # Make sure your phone and apps are synced in iTunes.
    # If possible, make sure you have backed up or copied off any documents or data you might need, as you will lose it. A lot of apps allow you to email documents and data.
    # On the phone, go to Settings/General/Usage. You should find a list of all the apps.
    # On the right hand side is a list of the total storage space each app is using, including the app itself. The list is also handily listed in descending order of size. If you tap on on one of the apps on the list, it shows you how much space is being used by documents and data. You also have the option to delete the app.
    # To delete the app, simply tap on “Delete App.” The app is deleted, and so is the data stored in the ‘other’ area. Repeat for other apps if necessary.
    # To re-install the app(s), plug it in to your iTunes and re-sync your phone. The app(s) are re-installed with no data taken up in the ‘Other’ area.

    If you want a visual representation of your data, the third party app iExplorer is very easy to use and available as a temporary demo. You can also buy it if you want.

    “*http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/*”:http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/

  • _Dear Friends,_

    We are in the “dog days” of summer, but the temperatures here do not seem to realize it as cooler temps seem to be the norm for the moment. I woke up this morning to find my heat on at the house — I quickly adjusted the thermostat, but it hasn’t been typical mid-July weather, even for Vermont.

    Nevertheless, Small Dog Electronics is launching our “Dog Days of Summer” back to school promotions on Monday. I will let Kali and Stephanie fill you in on the details, but I think they are very competitive and should provide our customers with more reasons to buy from Small Dog.

    The strawberries are about done, but I notice that my blueberries and raspberries are about to ripen and I will be doing some picking this weekend for sure. In a couple of weeks, I will be joining a number of other Vermont entrepreneurs and investors in the first FreshTracks Road Pitch. This is a 4-day event in which “Business Bikers” will travel around Vermont in search of the best and brightest entrepreneurs. We will hold “office hours” in select towns across the Green Mountains, listening to business pitches from teams of entrepreneurs seeking advice and capital. You can learn more about the event and the “founding riders” “*here*”:http://freshtracksontheroad.weebly.com. It should be a lot of fun!

    The big news this week was the new alliance between Apple and IBM to support mobility products in the “enterprise” space. This means that IBM will be working to support Apple’s iPhone and iPad in big business with business apps and cloud services. IBM will be selling Apple’s mobility products and Apple will launch a new version of AppleCare for these businesses that offers 24/7 support. This is not the first collaboration between the two companies. In 1991, Apple, IBM and Motorola formed the AIM Alliance that resulted in the PowerPC chip that was eventually manufactured at IBM’s plant right here in Essex, Vermont.

    We have so many Dog Days of Summer back to school promotions that I want to make my Kibbles & Bytes special simple this week. Here’s a Chill Pill Audio special: buy a Chill Box in Deep Purple and get a free Chill Pill speaker in Red — a $29.99 value!

    “*Make sure to grab this deal here.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001551/kb-don-s-chill-box-special

  • It is the 6th Anniversary of Apple’s App store and 75 million downloads and $30 billion later, Apple again has changed the technology landscape. Gone are the days that you buy software in a box with a disc (or disk). The App store changed that, and now almost all software is distributed electronically. Just think of the savings in trees, shipping, etc.! It is a better way, but it was also a big change for those of us in retail as we had to replace our software sales with other sources of revenue.

    I’ll be sticking pretty close to home this weekend as Grace learns to use her new hip, but it should be a beautiful July weekend here in Vermont, so there’s plenty to do around the place while I listen for her bell.

    Thanks for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,
    _Don & Kali_

  • SPECIAL | Free Pill Bike Mount with Beats Pill Purchase

    Beats Pill portable speakers bring the party with you, wherever you go. The Beats Pill is lightweight, portable, and completely wireless. Change tracks from your phone or take a call with the Beats Pill’s built-in microphone. New features include the ability to amplify your music and accessory charging.

    From now until next Friday, get a *FREE Pill Bike Mount AND FREE Shipping whenever you by a Beats Pill.*

  • SPECIAL | Free Claw Bike Mount with Turtle Shell 2.0 Purchase

    Behold the Turtle Shell 2.0, Outdoor Tech’s most miraculous rugged, water -resistant Bluetooth Speaker to date. We wouldn’t usually say something as cliche as ‘the best just got better…’ but it did. Based off the popular original Turtle Shell, the 2.0 brings more volume, more Hi-Fi audio, more battery life and a plethora of other feature improvements over its predecessor.

    From now until next Friday, *Get a FREE Claw Bike Mount and FREE Shipping when you buy a Turtle Shell 2.0.*

  • SPECIAL | Free Shipping with Buckshot Rugged Speaker Purchase

    The Buckshot features the same angular, triangle-themed design that is signature to many of the other products in the Outdoor Tech lineup. The rugged, rubberized exterior means that it’s no big deal if you drop it from time to time, and the built-in speakerphone and microphone mean that you can have hands-free calls with your therapist basically wherever you want.

    The included bicycle mount allows you to mount the Buckshot to your bicycle handlebars or anything else with a similar profile. Compact, portable music has never been a more viable option.

    Until next Friday, *get free shipping when you purchase a Buckshot Rugged Speakers.*

  • GARAGE SALE | Happening Now!

    We’re clearing out faster than ever before. Though it may not be as big as past years, this summer’s “*Garage Sale*”:http://www.smalldog.com/garagesale still has dozens (upon dozens) of items at fantastic prices.

    With top brands including products from Apple, Beats by Dre, LaCie, Samsung and more, there’s an extremely limited quantity of these deals priced to sell out fast. You could potentially outfit your iPod, iPad or iPhone for $5 or less!

    Here are some “highlights of the haul,” with the disclaimer that things go __very__ quickly, so we cannot guarantee availability. First come, first served!

    *Lot A036 (New) – Apple iPod Shuffle (1st Gen) Dock – $2.00*
    *Lot A015 (New) – LaCie FireWire 400 to FireWire 400 data cable (6-pin to 6-pin) – $1.00*
    *Lot A102 (New) – Hammerhead 11in Sleeve for MacBook Air – Purple/Charcoal- $1.00*
    *Lot L074 (New) – DODOcase Book Cover for iPad 2 & iPad (3rd gen) – Black w/Red Liner – $10.00*
    *Lot L158 (New) – Brenthaven Prostyle II Carrying Case (Sleeve) for 15″ MacBookPro – Black/Copper – $4.00*
    *Lot P025 (Demo) – Samsung SyncMaster S19B150N 19″ LED LCD Monitor – $50.00*

    Of course, there’s a ton more, so check it out at “*Smalldog.com/garagesale*”:http://www.smalldog.com/garagesale! *Remember — The Famous Garage Sale is ONLINE ONLY. No calls please; orders will not be taken over the phone.* Thanks, and happy shopping!

  • PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT | Sonos

    It seems like there are almost countless speaker options today, ranging from portable Bluetooth speakers to high-powered premium speakers. It can be a little overwhelming to pick the right setup, but one fact seems to ring true for everyone: we want speakers that sound good and are easy to use. That’s why I am particularly excited about a new product line we are carrying at Small Dog: the wireless speaker system by **Sonos.**

    Sonos utilizes a unique HiFi mesh networking technology to connect one or more speakers together wirelessly. Not only is Sonos convenient to use, but it sounds awesome! We’ve seen a lot of new Bluetooth and AirPlay speakers recently, but Sonos utilizes a different wireless technology.

    The **Sonos Bridge** connects to your wireless router and creates a new wireless network for all of your Sonos speakers. Whether you have one speaker in the living room or ten speakers spread throughout the house, they can all unite to play the same music at the same time. Building your Sonos setup is easy; syncing your speakers to the bridge for the first time is as easy as pressing a button, and then they’re connected forever. This is a great solution for customers who don’t want the hassle of running wires all over their house.

    One of my favorite features of the Sonos system is the app used to control your music. The “**Sonos Controller App**”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sonos-controller/id293523031?mt=8&uo=4&at=11lb7k&ct=kibbles, available for mobile devices and computers, lets you browse and play your music library right to your Sonos system. You can even access popular streaming services like Pandora and Spotify. Changing the music in another room is as easy as reaching into your pocket for your smartphone.

    Sonos has a wide variety of wireless speakers and home theater components available to customize your perfect audio system. The **PLAY:1** is their smallest speaker, designed for portability while still providing crystal clear sound. The **PLAY:3** is the perfect size for the living room or backyard and can even be mounted. Lastly, the **PLAY:5** brings an impressively large sound that’s powerful enough to fill a large room; it’s also the only Sonos speaker with an audio line-in for connecting a wired device easily.

    Note: Sonos has authorized us to sell these speakers in __our retail stores only,__ so come check out our in-store demo to see what Sonos is all about!