Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • Thoughts on iOS 7

    I think my favorite part of WWDC (which took place last Monday) was the reveal of iOS 7. I love every time there’s an update to my iPhone’s operating system; I never wait, because I’m excited to upgrade as soon as possible.

    I haven’t been able to get my hands on the actual thing (since I’m not a developer), so my opinion is strictly based on images I’ve seen around the web.* When I first saw the reveal of iOS 7 while watching WWDC, the first thing I noticed was the glorious amount of color. A (not-so) little known fact about me: I love color! The brighter the better. And iOS 7 does not disappoint.

    __Side note: If you haven’t seen the “Jony Ive Redesigns Things Tumblr,”:http://jonyiveredesignsthings.tumblr.com you have to check it out. Right this second. Or, after you’re done reading this article.__

    Obviously my favorite part is the color makeover; I think I’ll like the “flat” design more once I use it, but I feel like some aspects of the iOS are very similar to competitors’ versions. I think the ultra light weight of the font they’re using has something to do with it (I also love fonts).

    I don’t think I’ll have a true grasp on iOS 7 until I actually have it in my hands, so what I’d love to know is how you developers who have downloaded the beta version feel? Who’s been using it and what are your thoughts?

    Please “*share!*”:mailto:steph@smalldog.com

    __*Editor’s Note: We’re working on that, if just because we want to write about all of the new things all the time! -KH__

  • Are You "In The Know?"

    Last spring, cell service providers launched a Wireless Emergency Alert system. This system has been slowly rolled out ever since then. If you are an AT&T customer, you may notice some emergency alerts coming through to your phone now.

    So what exactly is WEA?

    WEA is a system where local, state and federal agencies can send an emergency text message to smartphones. Luckily for your wallet, these emergency alerts don’t count against your text message plan and typically should be fewer than 90 characters.

    There are three types of alerts that this system uses. The first is for “imminent threats.” This could mean anything from flood or tornado warnings to security threats. The second covers “*AMBER alerts*”:http://www.amberalert.gov (America’s Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response), which are alerts for missing children. The third and final alert is used for breaking Presidential messages.

    Two out of the three alerts have an opt-out feature: imminent threats and AMBER alerts. This means that by default, when your carrier settings have been updated, they are on. You’ll need to then turn those off if you don’t want to know there is a hurricane about to blow by your house or that your neighbor’s kid is missing. (But you would, right? Well, it’s up to you!)

    If you really want to disable these WEA alerts on your iPhone simply:

    * Go to Settings
    * Go to Notifications
    * Scroll all the way to the bottom to Government Alerts
    * Turn off or on whichever you alerts you desire

    I have only received one alert in the past year since the system was introduced, and that was when Vermont was getting some heavy rain. I got it while at work, and it was funny to see the confused looks on people’s faces when they got the same notifications. Ultimately, I think this is a good move on society’s part to help out one another; kudos to the person or persons responsible for this!

  • Apple TV Update

    Any Game of Thrones fans out there? Well, for any who are, you will be happy to know that on Wednesday, Apple announced they would be adding HBO Go to the Apple TV! Finally, the days of waiting for iTunes to get its mitts on your favorite HBO programming are over.

    Of course, you need to have an Apple TV, a subscription to HBO and your cable provider needs to support the HBO Go service. But if you meet all that criteria, you are good to go. The nice thing about HBO Go is that you not only get the newest shows, but you get the classics like The Wire and The Sopranos (not that I have seen either but I’ve heard they received good reviews)* and any movies they are currently showing on HBO.

    Apple also added a few other services: WatchESPN, SkyNews, Crunchyroll and Qello. These give access to sports, live news, anime and music programing, respectively. Simply run your updates on your Apple TV and let the epic-ness begin.

    “*Download the HBO Go app here.*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fhbo-go%2Fid429775439%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30

    __*Editor’s Note: Mike! Get on it! – KH__

  • _Dear Friends,_

    After what seems like a very long and cool rainy period, we finally have some sunny weather here in northern New England. We got our first fresh strawberries of the season and I feel summer in the air just before the solstice.

    The weeds are growing in the garden along with the veggies and Grace is spending time beating them back. We noticed a tree growing out of one of the seldom-used flues in my chimney. It’s a small tree that I tried burning out this winter by building a big fire, but it doesn’t want to die. Grace doesn’t want me climbing up there, so I talked to Artie about bribing him to come up and yank it out before it messes with all the mortar in the chimney.

    In Apple news, we have the new MacBook Airs in stock and with the special GE financing program we are running, now it is a great opportunity to snag one of these new Macs. With the latest Intel Core processor, faster graphics and what Apple is calling “all-day battery life,” these new MacBook Airs are an industry-leading portable computer.

    The increased battery life is significant with a reported 9 hours of run time on the 11.6-inch MacBook Air and an incredible 12 hours on the 13.3-inch model. These are the favorite Macs among the Small Dog power users and are a great choice right now since the special financing makes it even easier to own.

    See the new models here.
    * “*11.6-inch MacBook Air*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook_Air/11in/New?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=kb833
    * “*13.3-inch MacBook Air*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook_Air/13in/New?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=kb833

  • iPad at Work: Integrate and Deploy

    *Wednesday, June 26, 1PM ET*

    During this in-depth session, we’ll discuss specific product features of iPad and how it integrates into corporate environments. Learn about the layered approach to secure data access and discover best practices for deploying iPad to your users.

    “*Click here to attend.*”:http://salesresources.apple.com/go/smbipadatwork/p/IntDep-SmallDogElectronics.html

    We hope you’ll join us for these seminars — you have nothing to lose! Learn more at “*Smalldog.com/seminars*”:http://www.smalldog.com/seminars

  • iPad at Work: Sales and Field Service

    *TODAY! Thursday, June 20, 1PM ET*

    In this session, we’ll demonstrate how to analyze business intelligence reporting, track and update your company’s CRM, as well as create invoices and process sales transactions — all on iPad. See for yourself how you can manage your business from anywhere.

    “*Click here to attend*”:http://salesresources.apple.com/go/smbipadatwork/p/SalesFS-SmallDogElectronics.html

  • Join us!

    With the online iPad at Work Series, you can learn how iPad can transform the way your business works. Join Apple business experts for a *free* seminar series with a Q&A — see details below!

    During these online seminars, here’s what you’ll discover:

    * How you can create and edit documents on iPad and connect to company email and calendars.
    * See how your field teams can conduct meetings, collaborate remotely, edit and deliver presentations, track results, and more.
    * Understand how to deploy, integrate, and secure iPad for your business.

  • SPECIAL | Prepare For The Speed Of USB 3

    The DataTraveler R3.0 USB Flash Drive from Kingston features USB 3.0 high-speed performance to save time and alleviate bottlenecks when transferring files, and offers the rugged protection of a shock-resistant rubber casing. With speeds up to 70MB/s read and 30MB/s write (for USB 3.0), the DTR3.0 saves you 5x as much time as a standard USB 2.0 drive when transferring files.

    But what good is the speed of USB 3 if you can’t find an available port? So, we’ve included Startech’s Desktop USB 3.0 Extension Cable. By extending the USB 3.0 port away from the computer case, you can situate a USB 3.0 port from the computer in a more practical spot, such as on top of the computer case or on a desktop.

    Grab both of these great accessories for *just $33* and get blazing fast speeds in a convenient location of your choice. *That’s $15 off plus we are shipping them out for FREE!*

  • SPECIAL | Don't Be A Fool, Protect Your Tools

    The Conserve Surge Protector with Timer from Belkin is optimized for protection of electronic components connected to AC power.

    The Conserve Surge features eight total outlets and a convenient desktop timer button so you can start and stop your electronics when you want. The 1080-joule rating provides a high level of surge absorption so sudden power surges and spikes do not ruin your system. It’s perfect for any home or office.

    If you are on-the-go, the Mini Surge Protector with USB is the perfect companion. Hotel rooms and airport terminals never seem to have enough power outlets to charge all the devices that today’s traveler brings along. Now you can add outlets and peace of mind on business trips and vacations.

    This week, get both of these great power accessories at one low price: *Save $15 on both plus they ship FREE!*

  • 2013 eWaste Recycling Events

    Our annual eWaste Recycling Events have returned. We’ll be holding events in Manchester, NH and in Rutland, VT:

    * Saturday, July 27 in Manchester, NH
    * Saturday, September 21 in Rutland, VT

    Note that these collection events are FREE to the public, and include recycling for all kinds of ewaste. For more details, including times, what’s accepted (and not) and more, visit “*Smalldog.com/recycle.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/recycle

  • SMB2 in OS X Mavericks

    In our Consulting department at Small Dog Electronics, we deal with numerous business clients who have mixed Mac and PC networks. This often means that we have to integrate Mac users with a Windows file server, or Windows users with a Mac file server.

    Sometimes this is easy and seamless, and sometimes we run into problems because of differences in the default file sharing protocols used for each system — AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) on Mac vs SMB (Server Message Block) on Windows. While the Mac can host SMB and connect to SMB, it is not on equal footing with Windows, and on the other side, Windows requires special software to connect using the AFP protocol. If only it could all be simpler…

    Now with OS X Mavericks, it will be. Apple is switching to SMB2 as the new default file sharing protocol for connecting to both Macs and Windows machines. This is a better and more powerful version of SMB than has previously been included in OS X, and should improve file sharing for mixed environments, with OS X servers and clients and Windows servers and clients. AFP will still be supported, but Apple is making a good move for interoperability, which I think is a good thing.

    While there are all sorts of cool developments in Mavericks, this one will really simplify my working life and make supporting mixed environments much easier. I look forward to not having to worry about file sharing headaches that I have had to deal with in the past.

    “*Here are the details from Apple.*”:http://images.apple.com/osx/preview/docs/OSX_Mavericks_Core_Technology_Overview.pdf

  • iOS 7 Preview

    iOS 7 is a new operating system that is a pretty good-sized overhaul to Apple’s previous OS, marking the first major change to the iPhone interface. I have had the pleasure of getting to play with the new operating system and I have to say that it is an excellent upgrade. There are a lot of new tweaks and graphic changes that enhance the experience, which definitely curbs my desire for a new device!

    One of the main improvements that I have come to use constantly is what’s been changed about multitasking. Instead of just showing you the icons of the applications that are suspended, it gives you the __page__ of the application so you can see where you left off. It’s easier to decide you didn’t want to close an app if you can see what you were doing at the time of switching apps.

    Another feature I use all the time is the Control Center; swipe up just like you swipe down for the Notification Center and you have access to all your options and the most useful apps preinstalled in the OS. There is even a preinstalled flashlight! You no longer have to download an app just to see in the dark. The one I had was loaded with ads, and every time I tried to change the settings, I ended up hitting one of the ads, the flashlight would shut off, and Safari would launch. I’d have to wait, close Safari, reopen the flashlight app, and wait for the light to kick in before I could continue.

    Currently there are a few graphical glitches, but it is a beta after all. We can’t expect an OS that isn’t complete to not have a few glitches. Overall, I’m impressed with the direction of iOS 7, and yes, there are a few similarities between iOS 7 and some other OS’s out there.

    Try it if you can get your hands on the beta. If not, “*preview it here.*”:http://www.apple.com/ios/ios7/