Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • Apple Introduces Magic Trackpad

    Do you enjoy using Multi-Touch gestures on your iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad to scroll, swipe, pinch, and zoom through photos, songs, documents and other content? Like the idea of a Multi-Touch trackpad for your desktop Mac, similar to the trackpad used on the MacBook and MacBook Pro? Do you enjoy the Magic Mouse but wish it supported more Multi-Touch gestures? Well, your moment has arrived in the form of the brand-new (and much rumored) Magic Trackpad.

    Introduced early Tuesday morning, the Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer. It’s also the largest Multi-Touch trackpad ever, nearly 80 percent larger than the built-in trackpad on the MacBook Pro. Its large size provides plenty of room to perform gestures. Speaking of gestures, Magic Trackpad supports a full set of them, giving you a whole new way to control and interact with what’s on your screen. Swiping through pages online is reputed to feel just like flipping through pages in a book or magazine. Inertial scrolling makes moving up and down a page more natural than ever. Because the entire surface of Magic Trackpad is a button, you can click on objects just as you would using a traditional mouse.

    Magic Trackpad connects to your Mac via Bluetooth wireless technology, and can be used in place of a mouse or in conjunction with one. Go from typing to gesturing in one motion, or do both at the same time. Magic Trackpad sits at the same height and angle as the Apple Wireless Keyboard, so you can go from trackpad to keyboard in one seamless motion.

    I was at Macworld when Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007. I remember how people were already hoping that the then revolutionary Multi-Touch gestures would somehow make their way to notebook and desktop Macs. They day is now here. Not quite to the level of the iPhone–with on-screen gestures–but close.

    Magic Trackpad requires a Mac with Bluetooth wireless technology (most Macs shipping since 2005 have this), Mac OS X v10.6.4 or later, and Latest Magic Trackpad software update. It requires two AA batteries (included) to operate. Apple recommends using rechargeable AA batteries, and is actually now offering a Apple Battery Charger for this purpose. For more on that, “click here to read the info on the blog, Barkings!”:http://blog.smalldog.com/article/new-apple-battery-charger/

  • Get Your Red Hot Pixels! New 27-inch Apple Display Unveiled

    Apple has announced an brand new, 27-inch version of its popular LED Cinema Display. The 27-inch Cinema Display will replace the older 24-inch model when it goes on sale in September. The 24-inch Cinema Display is now on $100 off, on sale for $799.99.

    The new 27-inch LED Cinema Display has a stunning 2560 x 1440 resolution and 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch model. The new Cinema Display has a 16×9 edge-to-edge glass display with vivid colors and exceptionally high contrast. It uses a premium display technology called in-plane switching (IPS) to provide a brilliant image across an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle.

    Designed as a companion for any Mac notebook or desktop, the 27-inch display includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Mac notebooks charged, built-in Mini DisplayPort connectivity for video and audio input and a powered three-port USB 2.0 hub to keep iPhone or iPod synced and charged.

    The new LED Cinema Display has some green features as well. It now includes a new ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on external lighting conditions and uses only as much energy as necessary. Made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass and highly recyclable materials, the LED Cinema Display meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status. The new display contains no brominated flame retardants and all cables and components are PVC-free.

    Again, the new LED Cinema Display will be available in September for $999.99. The LED Cinema Display requires a Mac with Mini DisplayPort. As of press time, a product description wasn’t available yet, so “keep checking back here for updates!”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|Displays

  • New Mac Pros Take It To the Limit: 12-Cores

    With virtually no fanfare (save for the persistent rumors), Apple announced new Mac Pros today, much to the delight of creative professionals everywhere.

    The updated Mac Pro now features up to 12 processing cores and “up to 50% greater performance than the previous generation,” Apple states. The latest quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors can be found inside the new machines, giving them a long-awaited boost of power.

    The Mac Pros also include all-new ATI graphics and an option for up to four 512GB solid state drives (pricey, but worthwhile to have the choice, yes?). There are also options to upgrade the graphics to a pair of video cards or to go all out with a 1GB HD 5870 card as “Engadget”:http://www.engadget.com/ puts it, “if you’re keen on maxing out those frame rates.”

    The enclosure looks to be almost identical to the end-user, since Apple has found a way to make expansion easy and look incredibly sleek (though you might want to bulk up before you plan on moving it around). The hard drive bays are still located in the same section of the tower, and are expandable to 8TB (yep, terabytes), by the way.

    The Mac Pro has also expanded its display options. There are now two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port located on the back. The addition of the second Mini DisplayPort output allows customers to connect two LED Cinema Displays without an additional graphics card or adapter. The dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays with a resolution up to 2560 x 1600 pixels. 

    Of course, Apple has continued to accelerate their environmental efforts as well. The Mac Pro is BFR-free (brominated flame retardant-free) and all internal cables are PVC-free. Again, the enclosure has stayed solid aluminum, which is highly recyclable. It is rated EPEAT Gold and standard configurations meet ENERGY STAR 5.0 requirements.*

    With all of these changes, the Mac Pro becomes the solid winner as a pro machine again, as the name should imply. The iMac kept coming so close in recent years that for the money, many people chose that instead. No more. The Mac Pro, with all of its expandability, power and connectivity features, is the Mac to choose for longevity and demanding professional work.

    *Quad-Core Mac Pro: from $2499.99*
    *8-Core Mac Pro: from $3299.99*

    12-Core Mac Pros look to start at $4999.99.

    “Click here to view all Mac Pros!”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|Mac_Pro

    __*Only Mac Pros configured with a Mac Pro RAID Card or Fibre Channel card do not meet ENERGY STAR and EPEAT requirements.__

  • New iMacs Updated Today

    Earlier this morning, Apple released significant updates to the iMac line. Largely performance-oriented, the update introduced Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors across the line. Previously reserved for the highest tiered 27-inch iMac as well as CTO machines, the standard inclusion of “Core i” processors will undoubtedly give all of the machines a well-deserved speed boost.

    The second most significant enhancement is the addition of discreet graphics to every iMac. While the base model 21.5-inch machine previously relied on the integrated 9400M graphics card, all models have now been upgraded with dedicated ATI Radeon cards. At the base level, the 21.5-inch machine includes the ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM. The mid-range 21.5-inch and 27-inch machines feature the Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB GDDR3, and the highest end 27-inch features the blazing fast HD 5750 with a whopping *1GB of GDDR5 SDRAM!* These discreet cards have more than enough horsepower to drive the latest creative software and 3D games, and are optimized to deliver crisp and vivid HD video playback.

    Although more minor in stature, Apple has touched on many of the other components of the iMac as well. The LED backlit displays feature IPS technology to deliver an unprecedented viewing angle, and the SD card reader now supports the *SDXC* format which enables compatibility with the highest-capacity SD cards. Apple has also included the option for a secondary solid state drive in the 27-inch machines. Users can select a *256GB SSD* as their primary drive or they can supplement it with a high capacity SATA drive. Among the many benefits of a SSD are better reliability and faster startup/application launch times.

    Though all four standard configurations of the iMac still include Apple’s revolutionary Magic Mouse and Bluetooth Keyboard, for an additional $69 users can add on the brand new Magic Trackpad (more on this below). This new product brings the gesture-based functionality that notebook Mac users have enjoyed since late 2008 to the desktop realm.

    While the new iMac models preserve the same design introduced in October of last year, their updated components bring a welcome refresh to the line. With dual-core and quad-core configurations available, the iMac continues to blur the lines in between a consumer and professional workstation. For those on the fence deciding if an iMac would meet their professional needs, today’s update makes the ultra stylish all-in-one a more viable solution than ever.

    “See the iMacs here.”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|iMac|27in

  • Happy Tuesday,

    We are full speed ahead preparing our newest store in the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester, NH, for our most important asset–you, our customers. Katie sent a report to the company with a near-final layout, and I’m getting ready to order repair benches, electrostatic discharge (ESD) equipment to keep your iStuff safe in repair, cabinets, tools, chairs, software, shelving, and everything needed to ensure our new store has an efficient facility for our customers. Kerry has been a huge help in coordinating these interviews around everyone’s schedules.

    Our experience honing our second store, in South Burlington, VT, is informing the decisions we’re making in this new location. There is a ton to figure out logistically, and I can’t wait to meet with the best applicants to Manchester technical positions in the coming week. It’s hard to believe the South Burlington store opened almost four years ago; we’ve all learned so much and continue to learn every day.

    Apple announced refreshed iMacs, Mac Pros, a new trackpad, a revolutionary battery charger, and a gigantic 27-inch Cinema Display. If you were tiring of your year-old Mac Pro, take comfort that the new models are available with up to 12 cores and are good for 50% higher performance than the last generation. Solid state drives are now available in the Mac Pro as well as in the iMac. Now is a great time to think about “trading in your old computer!”:http://www.smalldog.com/tradein

    As always, thanks for reading, and keep in touch.

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

  • !http://blog.smalldog.com/images/1811.jpg!:http://www.smalldog.com/wag17708/at_dr/

    What does __every__ Mac (or PC) user need? *Protect your home or office from all summer’s storms or get ready for back to school with the Belkin 6 Outlet Surge Protector. 50% off at $7.49!*

    Need more stuff for back to school (or as we like to say, __Mac__ to school)! Click above to view the Belkin surge protector special and “*click here to see all Mac to School necessities!*”:http://www.smalldog.com/mactoschool

    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.

  • I am holding a house party tonight for Deb Markowitz, the current Secretary of State and candidate for Governor of Vermont. I hope some folks show up. It is an active campaign season with a lot of open seats and some extraordinary candidates for public office.

    One thing about our small state is that our government and our politicians are very accessible. I’ll bet our candidates for governor have had more debates and forums than in any other state. The five or six of them literally get together 2-3 times a week to discuss the issues. No one will be able to say they have not had a chance to hear from the candidates.

    I did sneak in a test ride on my Norton last weekend, found one more oil leak to be fixed and with any luck, I will be able to pick it up this weekend and take some pictures for Kibbles readers. After riding my big motorcycles, it was a little like riding a toy motorcycle but it was very nostalgic as I figured out how to use the right side gear shift with a one-up, three down pattern. A few times, I downshifted instead of upshifted but once I was on the road it all came back to me. I was a little apprehensive about whether I could kick start it, but the boys at Classic Bike Experience had it running so smoothly that it just took one kick.

    Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,
    _Don, Kali, Ed & Ben_

  • Tech Tails TV: Take 2.0!

    Here’s some entertainment news you won’t read in “Variety Magazine.”:http://www.variety.com A few months ago we experimented with hosting our bi-weekly Tech Tails TV web show on Ustream.com. Tech Tails TV is our live web show where we repair and troubleshoot Macs, gossip about industry news, and answer all of your Apple-related questions. While this was a fairly successful endeavor, we struggled a little with broadcast quality (particularly audio) as well as timing issues. Because of that, Tech Tails TV is moving to a different network and a different broadcast time.

    Forget “same bat-time, same bat-location”: Tech Tails TV will now broadcast every other Monday at 2:00 PM EST, starting *Monday August 2.*

    The brilliant and captivating Apple technician “Rebecca Kraemer.”:http://www.smalldog.com/rebecca will be hosting most episodes of Tech Tails TV. She’ll be joined by other techs from Small Dog Electronics, as well as a rotating roster of special guests.

    To watch the all-new version of Tech Tails TV, visit our channel at “http://www.justin.tv/hellosmalldog.”:http://www.justin.tv/hellosmalldog at Monday, August 2 at 2:00 PM EST. “Click here to subscribe to the Tech Tails TV broadcast calendar in your iCal calendar.”:webcal://ical.me.com/edwardshepard/Tech%20Tails%20TV.ics

    *Note that we will post Tech Tails TV as a downloadable video podcast 24 hours after the initial live broadcast. Details to follow!*

  • Apple (Re)paves the Street

    Apple sold a record 3,470,000 Macs during the three months ending in June. This helped to generate $3,250,000,000 in profits (I like seeing all those zeros!). This represents a 77% year over year growth in Mac sales! I guess all those prophets of doom saying that the Mac was neglected for iOS4 and the iPad just don’t get it.

    Add in the 8,400,000 iPhones, 9,410,000 iPods and an astounding 3,270,000 iPads and you have $15,700,000,000 of sales! The biggest increase in sales came from the Asia/Pacific region with 71% overall growth but the big news is that Mac sales saw double digit growth in each geographic area.

    Apple hoarded another $4 billion in cash, swelling their war chest to over $45.8 billion of nickels and dimes hanging out. I guess giving away a few iPhone cases is not going to make much of a dent in that cache. When asked about “antennagate” and the impact on sales of the iPhone, Tim Cook simply answered, “Let me be very clear: We are selling every unit we can make.”

    *The Mac Business*

    Apple smashed the old 3-month sales record by 100,000 Macs by posting a 33% year-over-year increase. There is a move towards mobility with increases in laptops sold versus desktops, a trend that Apple has recognized very early on and has planned well for with significant offerings in the portable market.

    *The iPhone Business*

    Over 60 percent of the Fortune 500 are deploying the iPhone and 400 higher education institutions have approved it. With over 8.4 million sold in the three months, this is a healthy business for Apple. Over 5 billion apps were downloaded from the Apple App store.

    With the transition to the iPhone 4, there were greatly reduced shipments in June; however, Apple still ended the quarter with a 61% growth in sales and it was over 90% if you factor in the model change.

    Returns for the iPhone 4 are running below that for the iPhone 3GS and there has been no impact on sales due to all the publicity about the antenna.

    *The iPad Business*

    I can speak first hand about this one. We are selling every single iPad we can get our hands on with a high degree of customer satisfaction. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: with these numbers, Apple doesn’t need computer business market share if they can continue to simply create new markets.

    Apple sold over $2 billion in iPads and would have sold even more had they had more to sell. One thing that Tim Cook is really good at is supply chain logistics and planning. He said that Apple is still “quoting longer lead times than we’d like, and we’re working around the clock to get supply and demand in balance… in the scheme of things, it’s a good problem to have.” He said sales have been positive in every country they’ve released it in thus far. Anecdotally, he believes it’s already beyond an “early adopter” phase. “I think it’s extremely unique and extremely successful.”

    *The iPod Business*

    The iPod touch is the hero here with some declines in the overall iPod business but a very strong 48% increase in iPod touch sales year-over-year. The iPod maintains a 70% market share and is the top selling MP3 player internationally.

    *The Retail Side*

    I don’t like to talk too much about the Apple retail side of the business because, they are, after all, our competition, but Apple retail had a good quarter, too. Sales were up 73% and Apple opened seven new stores in the quarter, making a total of 280 stores with average revenue per store around $9 million (per quarter!).

    During the summer construction season, in preparation for the holidays, Small Dog Electronics will open one store (by contrast, Apple will open 24 stores internationally this quarter).

    The greatest story in American business lore continues as Apple continues its streak of posting record earnings, but more importantly, continues its streak of producing a steady stream of products that are in the vanguard of design and functionality.

    Congratulations to the entire Apple team–what an awesome quarter of success!

    __Image credit: www.marshallart.com__

  • MacPaint Source Code Donated

    I’m going to date myself here: I wasn’t around for the release of MacPaint in 1984. While I didn’t get to use the revolutionary UI based drawing software until I arrived on the scene in ’88, it still had a profound impact on my interest in using the computer as a creative and artistic medium.

    For those who were around for the 1984 release which coincided with that of the original Macintosh, MacPaint’s impression was likely even greater. As the precursor to almost all modern imaging software, MacPaint introduced tools such as the “lasso” and “the paint bucket” (which I called “the paint leaker” as a kid). The “marching ants” selection boxes commonly seen in Adobe software also got their start with MacPaint.

    Though it may seem like second nature to us today, Apple’s drawing software was the first to let users generate images by interacting with a GUI as opposed to working with code behind the scenes.

    Realizing MacPaint’s technical and historical significance, Apple donated the original source code to the Computer History Museum a few days ago. The source can be downloaded “here”:http://s3data.computerhistory.org/102658076_macpaint_acc.zip, and is 5,822 lines of Apple Pascal and 3,583 lines of 68000 assembly.

    A brief history of MacPaint can be viewed on the museum’s website “*here.*”:http://www.computerhistory.org/highlights/macpaint/