Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • The Neat New nano!

    Of all the new products showcased at today’s keynote event, the redesigned iPod nano is by far the most radical. Featuring an entirely…

  • Apple's New iPod touch

    Steve Jobs wowed keynote attendees and those streaming at home with updates to the iPod touch this afternoon. Featuring an even thinner body…

  • Apple Mixes Up the iPod shuffle!

    Combining elements from the 2nd and 3rd generations of Apple’s most diminutive iPod, the new iPod shuffle is the best of both worlds….

  • NEW Apple TV Has Gone to the Dark Side

    …in a good way. Today’s Apple Music Event yielded some pretty cool things, one of which was a welcome update to the Apple TV.

    Here’s what’s new:

    * new matte black color
    * 1/4 of the size (it’s been compared to a hockey puck!)
    * added HDMI (YES!) and digital audio outputs
    * NO internal storage–only rentals from the iTunes Store
    * day-of-release HD movies rent for $4.99; HD TV shows rent for $.99
    * $99 price tag
    * includes a remote

    On the lack of storage–one of the major changes that surprised me–Jobs noted that people “don’t want to manage storage… they just want to watch movies and TV shows.” And of course, that whatever hardware we have has to be “silent, cool and small.”

    Subscribers to Netflix’s streaming service (at $8.99/mo. or more) will have access to streaming content on the new Apple TV for no additional charge. In addition, Apple TV users will also be able to stream content from MobileMe, YouTube and Flickr.

    Also new in this announcement is AirPlay, which replaces AirTunes (more about this coming up in the iOS4 update article). AirPlay allows streaming from one device to an Apple TV–say, from your iPhone or iPad to your new Apple TV. Jobs demonstrated this by streaming a movie from his iPad to an Apple TV using the venue’s Wi-Fi.

    Notable tidbits: At launch, only ABC and Fox will offer their HD shows for rental at the $.99 price. The Apple TV will be available in roughly four weeks–the beginning of October–and it’s “available for preorder now.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76960/apple-tv-2010

  • Apple to Stream Today's Keynote Live

    Apple is slated to hold their annual media event this afternoon at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. The…

  • Want to check out some old issues of Best In Showroom? Click Here to see the full list of all past newsletters: Best…

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  • September Rebates

    *MobileMe:* “$30 Mail-in Rebate”:http://images.smalldog.com/rebates/mobileme_30promo_2010.pdf

    *iWork ’09 w/Mac Purchase:* “$30 Mail-in Rebate”:http://images.smalldog.com/rebates/iwork_30promo_2010.pdf

    *Office 2008 and 2011:* “Buy Office 2008 after 8/1/10 upgrade to 2011 for FREE”:http://images.smalldog.com/rebates/office2011.pdf

    *HP Printers:* “$40-$60 Mail-in Rebate on selected HP Printers”:http://images.smalldog.com/rebates/hp-printer-rebate09252010.pdf

  • Apple Sells Rechargeable Batteries?!

    Yes! As of a couple weeks ago, Apple quietly released a handy “AA Battery Charger,”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76697/apple-battery-charger/at_bis accompanied by six batteries.

    The charger itself mimics a laptop MagSafe power block, but is about a tenth of the size. The battery charger also uses much less power than a typical charger; it will sense when the batteries are fully charged and slow the current being drawn, known as “vampire draw.”

    The batteries are also designed to last years without losing much of their charge. Apple claims they retain 80% of their charge after sitting a full year in a drawer. They also say the service life of the batteries should be closer to 10 years!

    With six batteries and a very compact charger, its “$29 price tag”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76697/apple-battery-charger/at_bis seems very reasonable to keep all your gadgets running for years to come.

  • September 2010 Classes


    Absolute Mac Basics
    S. Burlington – Sun 09/12/10
    5:15pm – 6:45pm

    Mac Basics Level 2
    S. Burlington – Sun 09/19/10
    5:15pm – 6:45pm

    Comprehensive iPad
    S. Burlington – Sun. 09/26/10
    5:15pm – 6:45pm