Watch the keynote video from the event here: http://www.apple.com/apple-events/education-january-2012/

Apple Reinvents Textbooks with iBooks 2 for iPad

Today, Apple introduced iBooks 2 for iPad, featuring iBooks textbooks, an entirely new kind of textbook that’s dynamic, engaging, and truly interactive.

Now students will experience gorgeous full-screen textbooks on their iPads that feature text as well as interactive animations, diagrams, photos, videos, 3D objects, and more. With iBook textbooks, students can highlight text, take notes, search for content, use study cards, and find glossary definitions.

The iBookstore offers high school textbooks on topics such as algebra, biology, chemistry, and geometry from McGraw-Hill and Pearson to customers in the United States. Textbooks from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are coming soon. iBooks textbooks are available for $14.99 or less.

Visit the iBooks 2 textbooks page on apple.com for more information. A First Look will be available by the end of January.

Apple Introduces iBooks Author

With iBooks Author and a Mac, anyone can create stunning iBooks textbooks, cookbooks, history books, picture books, and more for iPad.

iBooks Author features Apple-designed templates with a wide variety of layouts. It’s easy to add photo galleries, videos, 3D objects, Keynote presentations, lesson reviews, and more. Preview your book on iPad before submitting it to the iBookstore for purchase or as a free download.

Visit the iBooks Author page on apple.com for more information. A First Look and Product Presentation will be available by the end of January.

Apple Unveils New iTunes U App

The new iTunes U app gives educators and students everything they need to teach and take entire courses on iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.

Now teachers can create and manage courses, and offer them to millions of iOS users around the world. iOS users can access the world’s largest catalog of free educational content from top universities worldwide. And for the first time, any K-12 school district can offer full courses through the iTunes U app.

Visit the iTunes U page on apple.com for more information.

Zappos/6pm security breach: Your info could be at risk? If you reused your password/email address combo from either of these sites elsewhere, then change it!

See article from COMPUTERWORLD here:

http://blogs.computerworld.com/19584/zappos_security_breach_your_data_hacked

Here’s the letter from 6pm.com:

First, the bad news:

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any additional questions about this process, please email us at passwordchange@6pm.com.

For website logins, it’s always wise to create a new password for each site and NEVER reuse your email password ANYWHERE!

Also see our MacMedics Blog post from 2010 here: MacMedics Security Alert: Only Use Your E-Mail Password For Your E-Mail Account (Gawker Security Breach)

There is really no substitute for accurate and authorized Apple repair service. Our talented and Apple Certified Macintosh techs solved another problem for two different Apple customers who both took the time to leave a 5-Star Review for both our Millersville and Lanham offices this week.

When you’re having issues with your Mac, please come visit our fully staffed and stocked offices in either Millersville or Lanham, Maryland. We’ll fix your Mac under Apple’s Limited Warranty or Apple’s extended warranty, AppleCare. Or, we can efficiently service your out of warranty, vintage, or obsolete Macintosh. When your Mac repair is complete, we’ll ensure you know everything you need to know in order to preserve and protect your valuable data and operate your computer successfully for as long as possible.

We love to help! So instead of making an appointment, trying to find parking, dealing with crowds, or having to worry about your data being erased, or having to deal with your computer being shipped away for repair, come see the Apple Certified Technicians at MacMedics.

Thanks to our customer, Mark, who had his Mac serviced in our Lanham office this week. Here’s his review from Yelp:

My Macintosh desktop computer had a complicated problem; part of the electronics had failed, while most individual components were fine. Since MacMedics is a certified Apple Service Provider and Reseller MacMedics correctly diagnosed the problem, which endless Apple phone support had been unable to do. The replacement part and labor were free, since my computer was still covered by the AppleCare Protection Plan. My computer now works better than when it was new. I also got some excellent technical advice on maintaining the computer, including information on back-up plans. I highly recommend MacMedics.

Mark
1/6/12

Also, thanks to our customer, Richard, who had his Mac serviced in our Millersville office this week. Here’s his review from Yelp.

Small repair. Done in a 15 minute walk up. Best service I have had in a long time. Highly recommend!

Richard
1/7/12

Please keep an eye out for a very convincing fake email that is made to look just like an official Apple email.

Here’s what it looks like:

It appears that wherever it points to has been shut down, but it is quite likely that they will switch it to a different server very quickly.

If you’re looking to avoid the Mall today, we have some great last minute gift ideas at some really great prices at the MacMedics Millersville location.

Save $100 New & Custom Built and MAXED out MacBook Air 13”, 1.8GHz i7, 4GB, 256GB Flash, Intel HD Graphics 3000 $1599!

Save $100 New Last revision 13″ MacBook Pro $1499 model: 2.7 GHz i7, 500 GB HDA, 4GB RAM in stock at MacMedics at “mail order” price: $1399

1/17/12 Just Re-Stocked: Save $300 MacBook Air closeout: Previous model: MacBook Air 13.3″ 1.86g 2GB 128GB $999 only a few left at MacMedics Millersville

Also in stock:

iPod touch in both black & white
iPod nano Silver
Apple TV
iPad 2 16 GB WiFi (Black)
iPad 2 16 GB WiFi (White)
Used iPad 1 32 GB WiFi + 3G
Used iPad 1 64 GB WiFi + 3G

Buy any iPod or Mac and get 25% off any case (hard shell, sleeve, or carrying bag)

We also have a wide selection of used MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs. There is also a small number of iMacs and Mac minis available as well. All MacMedics refurbished Macs carry a full 1-year warranty.

MacMedics also carries new and used iPads. We have sold out for the holidays, but we are expecting some more in soon. If you’re looking to get an iPad or you’re already getting one for the holidays, we do accept trade ins and we also pay cash for them outright (in any condition).

1/12/12 Update Now 25% off LoJack for Laptops, the Mac OR Windows version makes a great gift. If you have a MacBook Pro road warrior or a college student, this is a MUST have item. Order here: http://t.co/aeEWeorb

Apple TV Software Update 4.1.1 Released

Apple released Apple TV Software Update 4.1.1. This is an important update, and it should be installed on all Apple TV units.

Don’t forget the MacMedics is your local Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller for Macs, iPads, iPods, and Apple TV.

From Quicken 12/22/12:

Dear Quicken Mac Customer:

As a fellow Mac fan and customer, I wanted to personally introduce myself, and share some highlights of our Apple-related efforts with you.

I recently became General Manager of the Personal Finance Group at Intuit, responsible for Quicken and Mint.com. Intuit’s 25 years of leadership in personal financial management software makes me excited to lead this team and I am committed to creating products to help you reach your financial goals.

I recognize, however, that we have not always delivered on this promise to Quicken Mac customers.

As you may know, Quicken for Mac 2007 does not currently work on Apple’s latest operating system, Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion). I understand the frustration this may have caused you and have put a team in place to address this issue. I am happy to announce that we will have a solution that makes Quicken 2007 for Mac “Lion-compatible” by early spring. There are still details to be worked out, so I ask your continued patience as we work through these. In the meantime, you can find more information on our Mac FAQ page.

Working toward a Quicken for Mac 2007 solution is just a first step in winning back your confidence.

We are expanding our development team to continue our renewed focus on personal finance solutions that suit the needs of our Mac customers. As we develop solutions, we’ll be looking to you and the rest of our Mac customers for ideas and feedback.

I understand we have a way to go, but I wanted to start by communicating our commitment to Mac and look forward to sharing the details with you as they emerge.

Thank you for your continued loyalty to Quicken.

Sincerely,

Aaron Forth
General Manager, Intuit Personal Finance Group

Comcast is almost finished with their full rollout of DNSSEC.

We had been having problems with clients internet connections when using Comcast. The symptom we’ve been see is to suddenly lose connectivity due to DNS issues, even though the modem shows it is connected and the link is active.

See this URL for more information:

http://dns.comcast.net/dns-ip-addresses.php

Comcast is now moved over to these DNS servers nationally

75.75.75.75
75.75.76.76

Even though they have rolled this out internally the DHCP from Comcast’s gateways are still pushing out the old DNS info to devices. Manually setting the DNS to the new 75.xx… numbers on you router’s LAN DHCP should correct the problem.

We’ve heard this story before:

We heard about another Apple Authorized Reseller who has a client, an attorney on the West Coast, whose MacBook Pro and Time Capsule were stolen in a recent break-in. Everything he had was on those two devices.

If a drug addict breaks into your home or office looking for stuff to steal to fuel their next drug fix, they WILL steal anything that has an Apple logo on it and anything else they think might be related. They will grab ANYTHING else they think they can get as little as $5 for. GPS devices go for $5 at pawn shops by the way when they are sold.

You might be 100% totally backed up locally, which is AWESOME because so many people don’t even do that, but if your data needs to be backed up, you need three things to have a complete back up:

The important thing is to PLAN AHEAD. Your back up is not complete if it’s not:

1. Automatic (Use Time Machine and this point is covered)

3. Off-Site (Take your double back up off-site or get Mozy or CrashPlan Pro and this point is covered)

If you’d like to sign up for Mozy or CrashPlan Pro, we have links to those services, including the hard to find free 2GB Mozy account. We also strongly recommend LoJack for Laptops.

http://www.macmedics.com/mozy (Use code “2012″ for 10% off paid service until 2/1/12)
http://www.macmedics.com/crashplan
http://www.macmedics.com/lojack

We also have a number of other backup related articles on the MacMedics Blog about Time Machine, backups in general, and some posts about disaster planning.

Don’t Play Trick Or Treat With Your Mac’s Back Up!

It’s Not A Real Backup Until You Also Have An Off-Site Copy Of Your Data

Be sure to read “The Nine Things We Wish We Did Before Our House Burned Down” in the post listed above. We have the list line by line and a link to the original post, which is a “MUST READ” for anyone that has a house OR a computer

MacMedics is an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller and an Apple Authorized Service Provider, as well as being Certified Members of The Apple Consultants Network and Apple Developers. With two offices in the State of Maryland, and one in Philadelphia, we are well positioned to provide our famous, award-winning support and service to the Baltimore and Washington DC areas, as well as Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Delaware, Philadelphia Metro area, and Southern New Jersey.

The Apple Value Added Reseller authorization is top tier reseller designation by Apple. Apple Value Added Resellers and Apple Specialists are the same level of Apple sales authorization. Apple VARs generally have a deeper focus on Apple solutions as well as consulting and service. Apple Specialists usually have more of a retail sales focus. Both Apple VARs and Specialists are Apple Authorized to resell Macintosh computers, Apple software and accessories, as well as iPads, iPods, and Apple TV. Neither are permitted to resell the iPhone.

With MacMedics’ 22-years of service and support to the Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia areas, we’re proud to be authorized by Apple for both Apple sales AND service. As an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, we are authorized by Apple to resell Macintosh computers, the Apple iPad, the Apple iPod, and the Apple TV.

Here’s more information on Apple Authorized Value Added Resellers from Apple:

Independent Apple Value Added Resellers (VARs) are professionals authorized by Apple to deliver customized, market-specific solutions. Combining their technical knowledge with industry experience, Independent Apple Value Added Resellers can help you simplify and enhance your technology—leading to improved business processes and increased success.

Working with an Independent Apple Value Added Reseller, you gain:

• Customized multi-platform solutions
• Professional, industry experience
• Apple trained and certified expertise
• Proficiency in Apple and complementary products
• Additional services to support your business

Specialized Solution Expertise

Trained in Apple and complementary technology, working with independent Apple Value Added Resellers means that you’re getting high quality service and expertise. In addition to providing technology solutions, many independent Apple Value Added Resellers also provide additional services, such as: strategic planning, system design, and training.

Things to consider when choosing an Independent Apple Value Added Reseller:

• What is their specialized expertise
• What are their qualifications and certifications?
• Are they an Apple Authorized Service Provider?
• What other services do they offer?
• Will they integrate third-party products you need?
• Do they provide on-site services?
• Will they provide customer references?