Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • Sharing Multiple Photos in iOS

    About a week ago Matt said that he didn’t like the interface for sending photos from his new iPod touch. This was his first iOS 4 device, and he had multiple images he wanted to send and was sending them individually.

    One great feature some of you might not know about the Photos app is that it will allow you to send multiple photos in an email or MMS message, or print multiple images in one go (please note you’ll need an AirPrint compatible printer to be able to print them).

    Here’s how to do it:

    # Tap on the Photos app and select the album you need, or your Camera Roll.
    # Tap the “Share” icon in the upper right corner (the one that looks like a box with an arrow coming out of it).
    # Select as many items as you wish to send or print. A red check mark will appear on the selected items.
    # Tap on the “Share” button (or “Print” if you wish to print the images) on the lower left corner of the screen.
    # If you are emailing the images, a new email will open for you with all of your images attached. Simply enter the recipient’s email address, subject, a message if you’d like, and press send. You will then be asked if you’d like to resize the images to reduce the size of the email (remember, photos can be a few megabytes) before you send. I generally select “Medium” but feel free to play around with it and decide which size is best for your needs.

  • iOS Alarm Bug Keeps Users Snoozing Through New Year's Weekend

    If you currently have iOS 4 installed on your iPhone/iPod/iPad, and you rely on the device as an alarm clock, you may have caught a few unanticipated Z’s this weekend.

    What some users are already calling “Alarmgate” caused any non-recurring alarms set in the Clock app to fail between January 1st and 2nd of this year. While this inadvertently afforded some users (i.e. moi) the opportunity to gently roust from a late New Year’s Eve, not all users were as lucky. Throughout the day Saturday, I heard from friends and family who had arrived late to work, and even missed flights due to the glitch.

    While one could say “You shouldn’t rely on your phone to wake you up” it’s easy to make this claim in retrospect. Given the prevalence of iOS devices, this bug is comparable to traditional alarm clocks failing for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide at once. It may be a little too easy to throw Apple under the bus, but there isn’t really an excuse for sloppy coding. Maybe the developers felt a Y2K-esque revival was in order as we entered the new decade. Regardless, it is strange Apple didn’t examine the code more thoroughly after the daylight savings issue.

    Apple has officially acknowledged the issue, and claims that the bug has resolved itself as of yesterday morning (Jan 3rd). While alarms functioned fine for many, there are still reports floating about that some users unintentionally played hooky from the office. There is currently no word whether Apple will officially patch the issue in an upcoming software update, but it is likely the code will be re-evaluated. At the very least, this debacle might snag us a glimpse inside Apple’s multi-million dollar alarm clock testing facility.

    If your device is still affected, you can attempt to resolve it by setting any non-recurring alarms to recurring for the time being. It also might be a good idea to dig up that old clock radio for a back-up alarm.

  • Happy Tuesday,

    With the holiday and main gift-giving season behind us, the technical services team in our three facilities is working hard to keep up with your support phone calls and an unusually high volume of repairs.

    We always see an uptick in the number of customer repairs after the holidays, and it seems this year an unfortunately large proportion of these repairs involve accidental damage. We see all types of damage on a regular basis, but half-evaporated eggnog was a first for us.

    While I’d argue that using a keyboard protector takes away some of the pleasing tactile and audible feedback from typing, they are a very good investment if you absolutely have your laptop near liquid. They won’t stop a full glass of water, but they do make a difference. Check some of our offerings “here.”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Notebook_Gear|Screen_and_Keyboard_Covers

    Here’s to a healthy, happy, and fulfilling 2011. Thanks as always for reading!

    Matt
    “matt@smalldog.com”:mailto:matt@smalldog.com

  • !http://blog.smalldog.com/images/2097.jpg!:http://www.smalldog.com/wag20484/at_dr

    *Yep, you read right: it’s only 7.5 cents per gigabyte! Save on the 1TB Neil Poulton hard drive with USB 2.0: $69.99 with low $4.99 shipping.*

    Because we want to give you the best deals AND stay in business, Deal Retriever deals are valid for one week only. Quantities are limited; offers good while supplies last.

  • Coupon | January 2011

    **Save $10.00 on a 30 minute in-store Consult at Small Dog!**

    _Scheduled appointment required; call 800-511-MACS x599 to schedule!_

  • Specials | January 2011

    “**50% Chill Pill Helmet Speakers!**”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag20476/at_bis
    Chill Pill helmet speakers

    Just in time for winter, save 50% off Chill Pill Helmet Speakers and jam out to your tunes while you hit the slopes!

    “**Neil Poulton 1TB USB Drive $79.99**”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73623/at_bis

    Compact and efficient USB 2.0 storage, perfect for a Time Machine back up!

    “**Buy an Apple TV with AppleCare and get a FREE HDMI Cable!**”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag20451/at_bis

    AppleCare = $24.99, HDMI cable = $19.99 _OR_ **FREE** with AppleCare purchase!

    “**Used Machines at Small Dog!**”:http://www.smalldog.com/specials

    “**iMac 17in Intel**”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74469/imac-17in-intel-1-83ghz-512-160-combo-ap/at_bis for $499.99 and “**2.16GHz MacBooks**”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73536/macbook-2-16ghz-1gb-120-sd-ap-bt-white-used/at_bis for $599.99.

    _Please call ahead to check stock levels as used machines are going fast! Please note these machines do not come boxed._

  • Meet Our Dogs: Toby and Owen

    **These dogs always make sure to back up…**

    Toby, “Rebecca Kramer’s”:http://www.smalldog.com/rebecca black lab and Owen, “Matt Klein’s”:http://www.smalldog.com/matt Golden Retriever spend quality time fixing machines at Small Dog Electronics!

    Here are a couple hard drives recommendations from the Pups:

    * “LaCie Rikiki Portable Hard Drive, one of the *smallest* hard drives made!”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=rikiki
    * “LaCie Neil Poulton 1TB USB Hard Drive!”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73623/lacie-1tb-neil-poulton-hard-drive-usb-2-0

    Find them on our “Contact page”:http://www.smalldog.com/contact by clicking the Pups tab!

  • Otterbox cases for iPad

    If you find yourself in need of more protection against bumps and shock, check out the iPad case offerings from Otterbox. Available in 2 different styles, the “Commuter”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76102/otterbox-commuter-case-for-ipad-black/at_bis ($64.99) and the “Defender”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76101/otterbox-defender-case-for-ipad-black/at_bis (89.99), these cases offer multiple layers of protection while remaining functional and stylish.

    The Commuter is the lighter of the two cases, featuring a silicone skin that wraps around the body of the iPad and a harder plastic exoskeleton that snaps over the silicon layer. The Defender case is much bulkier and weighs nearly as much as the iPad itself, however, if you are looking for the ultimate in protection this is the case to go with–perfect for those who work out in the field doing either construction or planning work.

    The Defender also features a snap–on plastic cover for the screen that also doubles as a viewing stand! Both of the Otterbox iPad cases include a screen protector, and are designed to accommodate the Apple iPad Dock–a rarity among cases.

  • New Hammerhead Stylus Series: $12.99

    Whether you have an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, a stylus is a great tool to have. If you’re typing or using a drawing program you can have even more control with your device.

    With the new line of “Hammerhead Stylus”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=hammerhead+stylus models, your handheld Apple device is easier (and more precise) than ever.

    * **The Hammerhead Stylus** is the biggest option out of all the models–it looks similar to a pen. This option also has a larger stylus head than the other options, which makes it more ideal for the iPad (because of the larger screen). It also has a clip, so you can throw it in your bag or pocket and not worry about losing it. This thicker stylus will allow for a steady hand while using your new Apple device! _Available in Black and Silver._

    * **The Hammerhead Retractable Stylus** really acts like two-in-one. You can use it like a small stylus, or extend it to full size. This allows you to have different control with the stylus and is great if you are using drawing programs. The other really nice thing about going with the retractable option is that the tip is angled. This allows you to be even _more_ precise than other options. _Available in Silver. Also includes threaded loop for security._

    * **The Hammerhead Stubbie Stylus** is a mini stylus for on the go–you’ll hardly notice that it’s there! The rubber tip on this stylus is just like the regular Stylus (although a bit smaller). What makes it even more unique is the fact that it comes with a threaded loop to secure it, and also comes with a little peg that will fit inside of your headphone jack on your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad! _Available in Black, Purple and Blue._

    After testing out all of the “Hammerhead Stylus”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=hammerhead+stylus options, I have to say it was hard to pick a favorite one. However, for argument’s sake, I would pick the Hammerhead Retractable Stylus because it’s so diverse and I like the angled stylus head. Whichever flavor Hammerhead stylus you go with, you won’t be disappointed!

    “See all models here!”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=hammerhead+stylus

  • Kanto Syd 5 iPod Dock

    With all the options out there for iPod docking stations/sound systems, it can get a little overwhelming deciding what to purchase. Many of the docks out there promise big sound but leave much to be desired in the long run. One new product we received recently that has been getting some serious play in the SB store is the “Kanto SYD 5”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=Kanto+SYD+5 system.

    This is the perfect unit to use for a larger room or home, and it is loud–we cranked it up here in South Burlington and it was clearly audible all the way across the store. Sporting 80 Watts of power, the SYD 5 packs quite a punch, and it is also one of the physically larger systems we carry–a turn off for some, but with four speakers inside there isn’t any wasted space.

    One of the coolest features of this system is it has a built-in auxiliary AC plug, which means you can plug your AirPort Express right into the back of it, then connect a 3.5mm stereo cable between the AirPort and the SYD 5, and rock out to all the tunes on your computer as well as your iPod or iPhone.

    The SYD 5 charges all of the current and previous generation iPods and iPhones, includes a multifunction remote, and is available in 4 slick colors. Click here to check out all of the specs, and come on into the store for a demo!

    “Kanto SYD 5:”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=Kanto+SYD+5 $359.99 in Red, Black, White and Silver

  • *Happy New Year!*

    This year flew by so quickly and was full of a lot of excitement, opening our third retail location in Manchester, NH for example! Although we had some tough times with the robberies that occurred this December, we keep truckin’ because of your wonderful support! Our customers are the reason we come to work every day and want to give our best. We salute you, our customers and give thanks for your ongoing support and wish you a happy 2011!

    -Katie and the Retail Staff
    “katie@smalldog.com”:mailto:katie@smalldog.com