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You’ve invested a lot in your electronic devices–flatscreen TV, laptop, cell phone, camera, etc.–so keep their screens clean and clear with Monster ScreenClean. You’ll get the best performance from all your displays–no more “what’s that smudge?” on someone’s clothes on TV or what looks like a bad pixel on your computer screen!
*A Kibbles & Bytes exclusive, save $6 on Monster ScreenClean (regularly $9.99)!*
People who get to know me notice two things about me immediately: that I love gadgets of all kinds and that I love comic books. Working at Small Dog Electronics allows me to scratch the itch for all the latest gadgets and tech (even if I can’t always afford the ones I really want).
Lately, I’ve been searching for a new way to merge my love of gadgetry and tech with my love for comics. My long quest has come to an end thanks to the iPad. All the major comic publishers (“*Marvel*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marvel-comics/id350027738?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30, “*DC*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dc-comics/id378080432?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30, “*Dark Horse*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dark-horse-comics/id415378623?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30, etc.) have apps on the iTunes App Store that give readers access to digital versions of their print comics. Needless to say, these versions look “*AMAZING!*”:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKcOl7JV-5o/TmD6Oli1WZI/AAAAAAAAAPU/nX76x1FTQ4A/s1600/superman-comic-ipad.jpg
“*Comics*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comics/id303491945?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30, however, is an app that gives you access to the catalogs of the all the major publishers as well as independent, artist-owned publishers with titles that have digital editions. There are categories for every type of genre from superheroes to horror to science fiction to manga. Flipping the pages is as easy as in any ebook.
But for users like me who have vast archives of digital comics already stored on their hard drives, there is another app called “*ARCreader*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/arcreader/id369606498?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30 that allows you to import multiple file types using the library manager. Using this app, I can walk around with 1000 different comics titles on my iPad. I can read an entire storyline from “*The Walking Dead*”:http://fandomania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/walking-dead-vol1-2.jpg before the “*AMC show*”:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1520211/ comes on each week and measure the differences.
Being a comic book geek has never been this easy. All of these apps are free downloads in the iTunes App Store, and prices for titles range from free to $4.99.
One of the selling points of the iPad is its intuitive interface. On the sales floor, I am able to demonstrate a feature of the iPad and most customers are able to replicate my actions immediately. As the poet says: “Monkey see, monkey do.”
Now, some non-human primates are being given access to the iPad and they are also proving to be quick studies.
The “*Milwaukee Zoo*”:http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/ received a donated iPad after the gorilla keeper posted on Facebook that she would like to obtain some iPads for the gorillas to use. She claims she was not completely serious, but a friend took the request seriously and provided the iPad. The gorillas were not interested because of their stoic nature, according to Jan Rafert, curator of primates and small mammals at the zoo, but the orangutans went crazy for it (which goes to show you that even if the first primate doesn’t work out, there’s an ape for that).
Under the careful supervision of their keeper (the apes are strong enough to snap the iPad in half) the orangutans have been using the iPads to use apps such as “*Doodle Buddy*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/doodle-buddy-everything-paint/id486711528?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30 and watch videos. Reportedly, one of the orangutans is particularly fond of David Attenborough’s “*BBC nature programs*.”:http://www.davidattenborough.co.uk/ The rest of the orangutans seem to enjoy a wide variety of videos, but movies of other orangutans have been the biggest hit.
This fascination with videos of other orangutans has inspired the zookeepers and they plan to obtain iPad 2s, and when Zoo Atlanta, the Toronto Zoo and the Phoenix Zoo also get them, they plan on setting up FaceTime chats between the apes at the different zoos. The non-profit “*Orangutan Outreach*”:http://redapes.org/apps4apes/about is also involved in this project and they hope to “eventually incorporate the devices into rescue and rehabilitation centers in Indonesia in order to allow orangutans in zoos to communicate with their semi-wild cousins.”
If you want to communicate with your semi-wild cousins, FaceTime is available over Wi-Fi on all current “*Macs*”:http://www.smalldog.com/macs and iDevices (iPad, iPhone and “*iPod touch*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/iPod_touch/).
“__Image Source__”:http://www.film.com/movies/surviving-the-day-of-the-apes
In iOS 5, did you know that if you touch the icon of the app shown in Notification Center you can then swipe to go directly to that alert? It’s an easy way to view the notifications you want from the lock screen without multiple steps.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey last week regarding “*what you’d like to see more of in Kibbles in 2012*”:http://blog.smalldog.com/article/what-would-you-like-to-see-in-kibbles-bytes-in-2012/
Overwhelmingly, with almost half of the vote, you want to see more Mac Treats. So, we’ll listen and we resolve to have one in each issue this year! You’re welcome to continue to vote and leave comments because we’ll refer back to it as we shape future issues of Kibbles & Bytes.
Thanks for reading in 2011 and welcome 2012! As Don would say, “it’s a fresh new year!”
Hammerhead is here to help: *Buy nine of any Hammerhead Sku and get the tenth one free (direct orders only). No limit.* Orders of $250+ ship free.
Our stock balancing program takes the worry out of inventory management. We have Hammerhead accessories for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch 4G:
“*Download the complete Hammerhead Dealer Price List here.*”:http://vendor.hammerheadcase.com/pricelists/SS_pricelist-vend_01.10.12.pdf
!(image)http://blog.smalldog.com/images/2754.png!
January is accessory month–time for your customers to accessorize! What does that mean? Time for you to restock!
Make sure your accessory wall is fully stocked to serve the after-holiday shoppers who are looking for the perfect gear to complement their new gifts.
Dear Friends,
The new year has started off strong with lots of activity at Small Dog Electronics. We are restocking the shelves from the busy holiday season and laying plans for 2012. I am heading out to Cupertino for meetings at Apple next week, then on to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show and finally, to New York for the Big Retail show.
It is always an adventure traveling this time of the year with cold temperatures and snow always in the wings ready to mess with the best-laid travel plans. I am sure that Apple will once again dominate the CES show without even being there. Each year, you can see the impact of Apple in the products that others are showing. I am sure I will see plenty of tablet wannabes and companies trying to presage Apple’s plans for future products (such as televisions).
Do you buy AppleCare when you buy a Mac? Unlike most extended warranty programs that I believe lack true value, the value in the AppleCare protection plan is evident to me each day. For Macs, AppleCare extends the hardware warranty from one year to three years and just about any out-of-warranty repair is likely to cost more than the cost of AppleCare.
Even more significant, however, is the free AppleCare technical support. You get 90 days of free technical support from Apple with your new Mac purchase but if you have AppleCare, you get three years of support for your hardware, operating system and Apple software. On day 91, Apple will ask for your credit card number before they provide this support, but you are truly protected with AppleCare–it is one of the best values from Apple!
Ahh, the new year. We all make resolutions, yet have a hard time sticking to them, amiright? Well, these really should be a…
“*The Unofficial Apple Weblog*”:http://www.tuaw.com reported their Best of 2011, and Agile Bits Solutions’ “*1Password*”:https://agilebits.com/onepassword took the prize for Best iPhone App. Easily beating out the competition by taking 49.7% of the votes, 1Password is an invaluable utility for anyone who surfs the web on their Mac or iOS device.
Back in 2006 when I switched from an Alienware PC to a MacBook Pro, I scoured the Googlewebs to replace all my favorite Windows utilities with OS X versions. I used to rely heavily on a password storage program called RoboForm; when I checked around for a replacement, the majority of recommendations were for 1Password. I’ve never regretted that investment.
We’ve all had this happen: you go to a web site, which wants you to log in. Three weeks later, you go back to that site, and can’t remember the password you chose. Not only is this one of dozens of sites you frequent, but they all require secure passwords, which means the password can’t be fewer than 14 characters, it must include capitals, lower case, numbers, at least 4 of the characters have to be one of those symbols on the number keys, no two characters can be the same, and it can in no way resemble any word found in the dictionary. How is any normal human supposed to keep track of them all?
The answer is 1Password. It tracks the website you’re on, and recognizes login and password fields. When you enter that data and hit Submit, it prompts you to save this information for the next time. When you later return to that site, 1Password will fill in that data for you. All you have to remember is (wait for it) one password–a master password that unlocks the rest of them.
1Password can also keep track of multiple identities, so if you use a laptop for home and work, you can switch locations so as not to confuse your personal links with corporate ones.
1Password for Mac can wirelessly sync with 1Password for iPhone, so you can still stay productive when you’re not at your desk. It is definitely worth a try.
Download the 1Password app for your needs:
*1Password for Mac, $49.99:* “*Agile Bits’ website*”:http://www.agilebits.com or the “*Mac App Store*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1password/id443987910?mt=12%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30
*1Password for iPhone, $9.99:* “*iTunes link*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1password-for-iphone/id285897618?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30
*1Password Pro for iPhone, $14.99:* “*iTunes link*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1password-pro/id319898689?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30
*1Password for iPad, $9.99:* “*iTunes link*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1password-for-ipad/id364747489?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30
*1Password Pro for iPad, $14.99:* “*iTunes link*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1password-pro/id319898689?mt=8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30
A long time ago while working for Radio Shack, a co-worker gave me a series of motivational tapes by Joel Weldon. One of the more important passages began with “Elephants don’t bite”–the big things usually aren’t what get you. Typically it’s the gnats, the horse flies, the bees, the mosquitoes–tiny as they are, they can be quite annoying. The little, seemingly insignificant things can cause more problems than one would think. Over my first few weeks as a tech here at Small Dog, I have learned that you can never overlook or discount the little things.
Sure, that sounds great, but how does that help someone who is trying to troubleshoot a computer with a nagging problem? One way is to take your large problem (it doesn’t boot and I have homework to do!) and break it down into a series of smaller, simpler possibilities.
We all laugh when we read the tech support horror stories about the guy who spent two hours troubleshooting a computer only to find that it wasn’t plugged in, hence the reason that obvious question is always asked first when you call for help. Techs I have worked with over the years absolutely hate it when I suggest obvious solutions, but I do it because sometimes the answer is so obvious we skipped over it because it was so simple. We get so used to dealing with difficult problems with complex solutions that we forget to try the quick fixes first. Before cracking the case to test a suspected faulty power supply, check the easy (small) things such as plugging something else into the wall outlet or the power strip to make sure that works. Power strips are designed to fail before the equipment plugged into it, so it is entirely possible that a brownout could have taken it right out. It’s a quick and cheap fix if that’s what happened, so it makes sense to try it first.
Another example from an incident that happened this week in Manchester: you have a MacBook that won’t recognize the hard disk. Disk Utility will not mount it, and may not even see it at all. The assumption? Dead hard drive. So you pull it out and replace it, fire up the OS X Install DVD, and the drive isn’t recognized. Pull the new drive out, plug it into an external connector and it works. Okay, maybe the drive is flaky, so try another drive…and the same thing happens. Given this, what’s the next thing to replace? The logic board? Costly, and time consuming. By now, perhaps some have already screamed out the answer: a bad connector cable. A seemingly minor thing that is often overlooked because, well, it’s just a cable, so what could go wrong with it?
Take care of the small things, and the big ones often take care of themselves.
Two new phishing letters are making the rounds, in an attempt to fool people who may be using their first Mac after the holidays. The first one tries to steal your iCloud account. The email claims to be from Apple, saying something similar to: __”A DGTFX Virus has been detected in your MobileMe folders. Your email account has to be upgraded to our new Secured DGTFX anti-virus 2011 version to prevent damages to our web mail log and to your important files. Click your reply tab, Fill the columns below and send back to us or your email account will be terminated to avoid spread of the virus.”__
First, there is no such thing as a DGTFX Virus. Second, there is no “Secured DGTFX anti-virus 2011.” Third, if the MobileMe server really did get hit with something that could cause damage to their “web mail log” and your important files, the server admins would simply fix the problem, which would not require your login and password.
This “phishing” attack is not new. In the past year, it has targeted Yahoo and Hotmail subscribers. Now, it’s trying to fool iCloud subscribers in an attempt to steal their accounts. The email is fake–don’t reply to it; just delete it.
Another one that’s been spotted tries to trick you into updating your billing information by telling you to click on a link from the Apple Store. As usual, the link takes you to some other website, which looks like it’s Apple, but isn’t. The site will steal your login and password, as well as your credit card information.
When in doubt, hover your mouse over the link. Most email programs will show you where the link actually goes; in this case, it doesn’t go to Apple at all, so don’t be fooled!