Kibbles & Bytes Blog

Apple news, tech tips, and more…

KB Dog

  • Greetings!

    There has been a lot of speculation about the “iPhone 5C”; while I can’t so much clear this up (read: I know when you know), here’s the rundown on the __rumored__ version of the popular iPhone. As we near September, a month that has been full of iPhone releases in years past, “leaks” of a plastic back have appeared and sites claim that this is the design for a new low-budget iPhone.

    The “C” supposedly stands for “color” as many of the photos show an array of colorful options, though others have claimed it would mean “cheap” (which I highly doubt Apple would do). The price point is supposed to be similar to that of the Android phones on the market due to the cheaper materials used to make it.

    For Apple to save dollars, some analysts think Siri — which first appeared in the iPhone 4S — is likely to get cut. A different screen resolution, less memory capacity, no LTE, or a less powerful camera could also be in order. It’s also more than likely that the 5C won’t include any brand-new features that we might see in the 5S, such as the rumored fingerprint sensor.

    Again, all of this speculation doesn’t mean much until Apple announces the real thing! Whatever they do announce in the coming weeks, I am sure it will be a stellar product that is made with the care and execution that Apple is known for.

    We have more articles for you below as we roll into another week. Taylor writes about ways to use AirDrop on your Mac, Cindy tells us about her favorite Maps app, and Kyle writes about the many uses of an online currency called Bitcoin.

    Hope you all have a great week and as always, come on over to Small Dog for all your Apple needs!

    _Barry_
    “*barry@smalldog.com*”:mailto:barry@smalldog.com

  • The Mini Surge Protector with USB charger offers three AC outlets and two powered USB outlets. Perfect for MP3 players and mobile phones….

  • Use Old iOS Devices as Security Cameras!

    Are you one of those people who have old iOS devices laying around your house just waiting to be brought to the recyclers or given to a friend in need? I have always kept my old devices as a backup in case I ever need to send my new one out for repair.

    For those of you planning on upgrading your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch soon, you might rethink selling or recycling it, and instead, turn it into a home security system. Huh? Yes, you heard me.

    With a new app by “*People Power*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/presence-by-people-power/id618598211?mt=8 you can easily make an old iOS device your new home security system. The system supports the iPad 2 and newer, iPod touch (5th gen.) and newer and iPhone 3GS and newer.

    The app is called “*Presence*;”:http://peoplepowerco.com/products/ it’s free and it has some seriously great reviews. All you need to do is download the app on at least two devices, connect over Wi-Fi and set up your device in the desired spot you wish to watch. You can then set up specific alerts for when motion has been detected.

    The alerts might be for when your kids get home from school, if someone breaks into your apartment, or maybe you have elderly parents who you’d like to make sure are up and moving that day. Throw a waterproof case on the phone and you can set it up outside and get video clips to see what kind of animal is eating your freshly sprouted blueberries.

    People Power will soon have a subscription, allowing you to upgrade to Presence Pro for more storage and added features. Even if you don’t feel the need to monitor any activity going on, it might be fun just to play around with the app since it is free, and who knows, you may just find a cool use for it!

  • Summer in Vermont is pretty special, and it looks like this weekend should be downright pleasant! I have a lot of catching up to do from vacation, but I think I will do my share of procrastinating in favor of summertime stuff.

    Thanks for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
    _Don, Steph & Kali_

  • Refurbished AirPort Express

    These little units are incredibly useful and easy to set up. The AirPort Express has a few different basic functions, among them: extending your Wi-Fi network, adding a Wi-Fi printer, and adding AirPlay features to play and control music from your Mac or iOS device through your favorite speakers.

    Setting up for AirPlay can be done in a few different ways. It can be set up the traditional way, using cables, by connecting the wires directly to the main Wi-Fi base station (often an AirPort Extreme). You can also do a wireless setup by enabling AirPlay on an existing Wi-Fi network.

    All you have to do then is simply connect your favorite audio system via a standard 3.5mm plug or optical digital (Toslink) plug, and voila: you have your wireless AirPlay audio system set up and ready to play.

    We now have these little guys in stock at only “*$79.99!*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/83765/

    **For more information about using AirPlay with your Mac or iOS devices, check out the Apple Support article here.*”:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4437

  • FREE iPad in Business Briefing: Coming to NH!

    We’re thrilled to announce that we’re going to be hosting a *free iPad in Business Briefing* on Tuesday, September 17 from 9am – 12pm at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH — open to anyone interested in learning about how to use iPad in a business environment.

    We’ll have a representative from Apple on hand to present, as well as our partners Zco Corp. (App Developer) and Burlington Bank Card (iPad/iPhone POS System) to highlight their solutions.

    Topics will include integration, security, deployment, apps and of course, how using iOS and working with Small Dog Electronics can provide an ideal solution for your business.

    Visit our Seminars page for more details and to sign up:
    “*Smalldog.com/seminars*”:http://www.smalldog.com/seminars

  • __You have been subscribed to receive periodic emails from Small Dog Electronics’ Business Solutions department. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link below or by visiting “*Smalldog.com/newsletters*”:http://www.smalldog.com/newsletters__

  • Use Old iOS Devices as Security Cameras!

    Are you one of those people who have old iOS devices laying around your house just waiting to be brought to the recyclers or given to a friend in need? I have always kept my old devices as a backup in case I ever need to send my new one out for repair.

    For those of you planning on upgrading your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch soon, you might rethink selling or recycling it, and instead, turn it into a home security system. Huh? Yes, you heard me.

    With a new app by “*People Power*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/presence-by-people-power/id618598211?mt=8 you can easily make an old iOS device your new home security system. The system supports the iPad 2 and newer, iPod touch (5th gen.) and newer and iPhone 3GS and newer.

    The app is called “*Presence*;”:http://peoplepowerco.com/products/ it’s free and it has some seriously great reviews. All you need to do is download the app on at least two devices, connect over Wi-Fi and set up your device in the desired spot you wish to watch. You can then set up specific alerts for when motion has been detected. The alerts might be for when your kids get home from school, if someone breaks into your apartment, or maybe you have elderly parents who you’d like to make sure are up and moving that day. Throw a waterproof case on the phone and you can set it up outside and get video clips to see what kind of animal is eating your freshly sprouted blueberries.

    People Power will soon have a subscription, allowing you to upgrade to Presence Pro for more storage and added features. Even if you don’t feel the need to monitor any activity going on, it might be fun just to play around with the app since it is free, and who knows, you may just find a cool use for it!

  • * *When*: Tuesday, September 17, 2013
    * *Where*: Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03101

    Don’t miss your chance to attend this free seminar — see “*Smalldog.com/seminars*”:http://www.smalldog.com/seminars for more information and to register.

  • MAC TREAT #215: Love Your Password [Addendum]

    A couple weeks ago, we featured a Mac Treat about how to practice password safety. We were reminded by our friend Adam over at TidBits that password rules are ever-evolving, and that some have been updated even since we did our research.

    So, if you’re interested to really keep your passwords (and your important data, duh) on lockdown from prying eyes, take a look at __Take Control of Your Passwords__ for some of the best practices in security.

    “*Get a preview here.*”:http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/passwords

    Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go change my passwords.