Kibbles & Bytes Blog

A few days ago, several customers reported a shortage in the availability of current Apple Displays. The rumor mills mused that this indicated the immediate arrival of the new 27-in LED display. As it turns out, they were right. Earlier this morning, Apple officially made the new display available to pre-order while simultaneously discontinuing existing 24 and 30-in models.

The new display features *2560 x 1440* resolution and a *178°* viewing angle in addition to several other features. Most notable are the built-in *iSight camera* and *mic*, *three USB 2.0 ports* and *49-watt on-board speakers*. The new display retains the overall form factor of its predecessor while increasing both resolution and viewing angle. Resembling the 24-in model in terms of connectivity, the 27-in connects via *Mini DisplayPort*.

This means though it will work flawlessly with current generation Macs, its legacy support is somewhat limited. By eliminating the DVI based 30-in Cinema Display from their product line, Apple has made a bold move that will leave some Mac owners without the option of an Apple manufactured display. The good news, however, is that we’ve received a very limited quantity of 30-in Cinema Displays! We’re currently offering these displays with free shipping, so get them while they last!

Click “*here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/12653452/apple-30in-lcd-cinema-hd-display/at_kb to check them out.

To pre-order the new 27-in display click “*here.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/77023/apple-led-cinema-display-27in-flat-panel/at_kb

It’s a still a few weeks away, but when you RSVP to the Grand Opening Celebration at our new store in Manchester, NH on Facebook, you’re automatically entered to win a brand new iPod nano in the color of your choice! “Click here to RSVP on Facebook!”:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147158478653069

Don’t use Facebook? Send me an email at :ed@smalldog.com:ed@smalldog.com and I will enter you in a list of RSVP partners, and you’ll also be entered to win the new nano in the color of your choice.

We’re going to be at the “New Hampshire Highland Games Saturday and Sunday.”:http://www.nhscot.org This is the largest Scottish Heritage festival in the Northeast. Our own Hapy Mayer (who has zero Scottish heritage as far as I know) will be competing in the Heavy Athletics department, which includes events such as stone throw, caber toss, weights for distance, weight for height, hammer throw and more. Basically it’s sturdy men in tartan skirts (I mean kilts) lifting, carrying and throwing heavy objects. That’s Hapy in the photo carrying the boulders.

Our PR partners at “PMG Public Relations”:http://www.peoplemakinggood.com will be at our table, giving away free samples of the timelessly tasty Walkers Shortbread.

We’ll be giving away small plastic dogs, coupons, a calendar of events for our grand opening in Manchester, answering Mac questions, and running a drawing for a 27-inch iMac.

If you’re in the area, please come say hi at our table! I’ll be there in my Scottish football jacket. My heritage is largely Scottish, so I declare it my right to enjoy the scotch tastings that will be happening later in the day. That’s my kind of heavy competition.

If you’re easily sidetracked, especially at work, feel free to stop reading here. The following list contains some of the most addictive games that we’ve been able to uncover in the App Store’s massive library. Though the list contains a few mainstays, it is also peppered with a couple of indie games which have flown under the radar. The best thing about the majority of these titles is that they are all available for under $5, yet offer almost limitless replay value. Whether you’ve got a long business trip ahead of you, or you’re just looking to throw off you sleep schedule, give these addictive apps a try!

The first five apps are listed below. “Click here to see the top ten on our Blog, Barkings!”:http://blog.smalldog.com/article/toptenplist-5-the-most-addictive-ios-games/

*10. Super Mega Worm:*

One of the more violent games on the list also happens to be the most ridiculous. Super Mega Worm features retro inspired gameplay that harkens back to the 8 and 16 bit glory days. Featuring an absurd storyline meshed with tight and addictive gameplay, this app deserves a spot on the list based on premise alone. *$0.99*

*9. Mega Jump:*

What some have written off as a Doodle Jump clone is actually a great game of its own. Though it does feature a similar play mechanic, Mega Jump’s graphics are more detailed and its gameplay is deeper. Players are given a range of characters to choose from, and jump their way through colorful power-up laden stages. *Free*

*8. Mini Gore:*

This addictive shooter features some of the most inspired 3D graphics in the App Store. Players fend of enemies with a variety of different weapons in lush, well animated environments. The protagonist John Gore is deceivingly cute, but packs a serious punch. The play style of this game is oriented around short sessions, so it’s perfect if you’ve got five minutes to kill. *$0.99*

*7. Ramp Champ:*

The Iconfactory’s take on skee-ball is a gorgeous and well designed app. The game offers a variety of different stages which all feature 3 goals of varying difficulty. Depending on the number of points scored per round, players receive a certain number of tickets. Tickets can be redeemed for a range of different in-game prizes. It’s just like the arcade! Except without that creepy guy emptying the quarters out of the machines. *$1.99*

*6. Paper Toss:*

Perhaps the game with the simplest concept on the list, Paper Toss is among the most addictive. If you’ve ever tried to make a basket in the office trash bin then you already know what I’m talking about. Though this game does bear some endorsements, the limited ads are worth it for the price! *Free*

Again, these are just the first five apps “Click here to see the top ten on our Blog, Barkings!”:http://blog.smalldog.com/article/toptenplist-5-the-most-addictive-ios-games/

Do you have a favorite game that we missed? Feel free to share by adding a comment to the blog!

I’m a bit of a self-proclaimed “shortcut nut.” Whether increasing my own productivity or just wowing my friends (though they’re never really that impressed), I’m always looking for ways to ditch the mouse and keep my fingers dancing across the keys. I most recently discovered this useful Safari tip which saves the trip to the URL bar, and even allows for a quick search of Google, Bing, or Yahoo.

Though the command is simple, it can boost your productivity ever so slightly. Upon opening a new Safari window, or from any currently open page, Simply Press: *Command-L*. Notice that the URL field in the top of the browser glows blue allowing you to enter a new web address. You can take this tip one step further by pressing *Tab*, which jumps your cursor over to the dedicated search field in the upper right.

Keep in mind that this tip will only work as long as the URL and search fields aren’t already selected. After perfecting this trick, you should be able to get where you’re going in just a few keystrokes! If you are looking for something in a hurry, don’t hesitate to give this tip a try!

_Dear Friends,_

I have one very tough wife. Grace got into a motorcycle crash last week when a couch fell out of a pick-up truck and the minivan in front of her slammed on her brakes. She slid on the Victory Vision tip-over protectors and smashed into the minivan going 50MPH. She walked away from that accident to my great relief and with only a few scrapes and bruises. The motorcycle didn’t fare so well and was totaled. If you want a testimony about wearing motorcycle helmets and coats, you need go no further.

That was on Saturday; on Sunday, we went to the Shelburne Museum Goes to the Dogs celebration and then went Apple picking, too. The event was a lot of fun, especially as I looked around and saw gatherings of specific breeds. Fantail Shrimp hung out with a bunch of other Pomeranians for a while and they were all barking. Hammerhead met a few other English Bulldogs and everywhere you looked, there were gatherings of dogs and their humans.

Construction and hiring continues in Manchester for our new store, and the first advertisements have been placed are are appearing at events and on NH Public Radio. As the time gets shorter, we are working hard to get everything ready for our grand opening on October 9th. Many of the new Manchester staff are in Vermont this week training at our Waitsfield and S. Burlington stores.

The jury is still out for me on my long-term Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad tests. I have put the mouse in the drawer and used just the pad before, but as I glance at my desk now, I have both active–depending upon what I am doing, I grab one or the other. If I am scrolling a lot or looking at photos, I prefer the Magic Trackpad; if I am managing my email, it is the Magic Mouse. Who knows–maybe I’ll just keep ’em both handy.

We are starting to get the new iPods in this week and I am very amazed at the whole line. I think the iPod touch is the best iPod ever and one of the most innovative products to come from Apple. The new iPod nano is so sweet. I *need* one for my motorcycle for sure. We have a great line-up for the upcoming holiday season. The iPad and iPods will join a very powerful family of Macs for a great selection of holiday gifts this year!