It’s an unfortunate fact that hard drives fail. And because it’s impossible to know whether it might happen within the first 6 months, after 5 years, or well after the useful life of the computer has ended, it’s vital that you have a solid backup method for your information. Work documents, school projects, home finances, and family photos are just some of the irreplaceable items that can be lost if your hard drive fails.

Soho offers all the available solutions for protecting your data including Time Capsule, external hard drives, MobileMe subscriptions, CDs and DVDs.

Backup instructions for each of these methods are outlined below:

From Apple – http://www.apple.com/support/backup/

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Backup options for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

• Time Machine – Learn how to set up Time Machine to perform backups to external hard drives, Time Capsule and more.
• Time Capsule – Learn more about backing up your data with Time Capsule.
• External hard drive – There are several ways you can back up your computer’s hard drive to an external hard drive.
• MobileMe – If you are a MobileMe user, you can use MobileMe’s iDisk.
• Disk Utility – If you need to back up more files than can fit on a single CD or DVD, you can use Disk Utility to create a compressed disk image of the files.

Backup options for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

• Time Machine – Learn how to set up Time Machine to perform backups to external hard drives, Time Capsule and more.
• Time Capsule – Learn more about backing up your data with Time Capsule.
• External hard drive – There are several ways you can back up your computer’s hard drive to an external hard drive.
• MobileMe – If you are a MobileMe user, you can use MobileMe’s iDisk.
• Disk Utility – If you need to back up more files than can fit on a single CD or DVD, you can use Disk Utility to create a compressed disk image of the files.

Backup options for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger

• MobileMe – If you are a MobileMe user, you can use MobileMe’s iDisk.
• Disk Utility – If you need to back up more files than can fit on a single CD or DVD, you can use Disk Utility to create a compressed disk image of the files.
• Other backup options – You can burn files to a disc with OS X v10.4.

From http://www.apple.com/support/macbook/hd/repairextension/

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Apple has determined that a very small percentage of hard drives that were used in MacBook systems, sold between approximately May 2006 and December 2007, may fail under certain conditions.

If your MacBook was purchased in the date range listed above and shows a flashing question mark on the screen, please take it to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and they will examine the hard drive to confirm if it is eligible for a replacement, free of charge, under this program.

Note: If your MacBook is not experiencing the symptom listed above, you do not have to contact Apple or any Apple Authorized Service Provider. As always, Apple recommends that you back up your data. Learn more.

Identifying Affected MacBook Systems

Symptom
A flashing question mark appears on screen when the MacBook is turned on. [Soho note: By the time you see the flashing questions mark, in general you drive has failed and the contents have been lost. Please make sure you back up your hard drive on a regular basis.]

Affected MacBook models

13-inch black and white MacBook models with the following processor speeds and hard drive capacities:

• Processor speed – 1.83GHz, 2GHz, or 2.16GHz
• Hard drive capacity – 60GB, 80GB, 100GB, 120GB, or 160GB

Next Steps

If your MacBook exhibits the flashing question mark symptom and matches the affected model descriptions above, the hard drive needs to be examined.

Please take your MacBook to the Apple representative most convenient for you:

• Apple Authorized Service Provider – Find one here.
• Apple Retail Store – Set up an appointment with a Genius.

If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider confirms that your hard drive is affected, Apple will replace it with a new hard drive. Once the drive is replaced, you will be responsible for installing any additional software and restoring your data.

If you need assistance finding the best service option in your area, you may contact Apple Technical Support for more information.

Additional Information

Some customers may have paid for out of warranty repairs that qualify under this program. Apple will contact affected customers (where contact information is available) with details on the reimbursement process. If you believe that you paid for a repair covered by this program and you have not been contacted, you may contact Apple Technical Support.

This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the MacBook

This program covers affected MacBook models for 3 years from their original date of purchase or until August 15, 2010 whichever provides longer coverage. Apple will continue to evaluate the repair data and will provide further repair extensions if needed.

From http://www.apple.com/support/headphones/replacementprogram/

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Apple has determined that the Apple Headphones with Remote included with the iPod shuffle (3rd gen) may fail under certain conditions. A very small percentage of iPod shuffle owners have experienced this issue. These headphones were included with the iPod shuffle (3rd generation) made between approximately February 2009 and February 2010.

If your headphones stop working or work intermittently as described below, Apple will replace them, free of charge, for two years from date of purchase.

Symptoms

• Controls are non-responsive or work intermittently
• Unexpected volume increase or decrease
• Unexpected playing of voice feedback

Product Description
Apple Headphones with Remote – included with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).
Serial number ranges of the iPod shuffle with the covered headphones:
xx909xxxxxx to xx952xxxxxx
xx001xxxxxx to xx004xxxxxx

How to find the serial number on an iPod shuffle.

Note: Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic and Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic which exhibit the symptoms noted above are also covered under this program.

Next Steps

f your headphones are experiencing any of the symptoms noted above, please use the Online Service Assistant on the Apple Support site to begin the replacement process. You will need to provide the following information:

• Serial number of your iPod or iPhone
• Shipping and Billing addresses
• Credit card information

Please choose “Replace part or accessory” as the service needed. Then choose “Headphones” to complete the request.

Upon completion of your online service request, Apple will send you a replacement along with a pre-paid return envelope so that you can ship back the original headphones. It’s important that you return the original headphones so that they can be examined and recycled responsibly. If Apple does not receive your original headphones within 10 business days, your credit card will be charged a non-return fee.

You may also visit an Apple Retail Store to obtain a replacement. We recommend you set up an appointment with a Genius. Outside the U.S., please visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider [like Soho] to obtain a replacement.

If you have any issues placing the replacement order, please contact Apple.

Additional Information

This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the covered headphones.

Apple will continue to evaluate the repair data and will provide further updates to the program if needed.

A compact aluminum enclosure hides a powerful, full-size computer with faster graphics than before. Just connect it to your display, keyboard, mouse—even your HDTV.

The new Mac Mini – $749.99

Featuring:

• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 2GB of memory
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
• 320GB Serial ATA hard drive
• 8x-speed SuperDrive
• HDMI and Mini DisplayPort output
• HDMI to DVI Adapter
• SD card slot, four USB 2.0 ports, and one FireWire 800 port
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Built-in
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi2 and Bluetooth 2.1

Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server is a tiny but powerful server that’s easy to set up and easy to run. And it comes with unlimited client licenses.

The new Mac Mini Server with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard – $1099.99

Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server is specifically designed to be a server. There are two 500GB 7200-rpm hard drives with plenty of storage to help your group work more efficiently. It comes with unlimited client licenses. And you can access and swap files quickly and securely between Mac computers and PCs. Easily create full-featured wikis and high-quality podcasts. And automatically back up all your important data.

Featuring:

• 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 4GB of 1066MHz DDR3 memory, configurable to 8GB
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
• Dual 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA hard drives
• SD card slot, four USB 2.0 ports, and one FireWire 800 port
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi2 and Bluetooth 2.1

Also available for order with 8GB RAM, external SuperDrive, and other features. Call for details and ask how Soho can help setup your small business with a new server today.

Apple today at its’ World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) officially unveiled the new iPhone 4. Widely leaked across the internet the design of the phone wasn’t necessarily a surprise for anyone in the audience, however some of the more than 100 new features were. Steve Jobs delivering the keynote address chose to focus on 8 of the main features including:

• Thinnest smartphone in the world, 24% thinner than iPhone 3GS
• Front facing camera for “Face Time” iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 video calling
• Improved rear camera technology (with LED flash) able to record 720p 30fps video
• iMovie for iPhone to edit those videos you’ll be making with this phone and sharing with friends.
• 4x higher pixel density of LED display (960×640 resolution or 326 pixels per inch), 4x better contrast ratio, IPS technology.
• Improved antenna for better reception (the outside metal band around the iPhone frame is the antenna).
• Powered by A4 processor.
• 802.11n wireless / 3g download speeds of 7.2Mbps, upload of 5.8Mbps
• Improved battery 7 hours of talk time, 6 hours of 3g web browsing, 10 hours of wifi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music, 300 hours of standby time.
• Multitasking to iPhone OS (now called iOS).
• Gyroscope to add pitch and yaw to built in motion sensor – now 3 axis motion detection
• Available in white or black, 16GB or 32GB.
• and more…

Already announced for pre-sales in the U.S. starting June 15th and available for sale June 24th, there is currently no word (as always) on when the iPhone 4 will be coming to Canada. Rest assured we’ll have the accessories for it as soon as its available.

Watch Apple’s production video.
Watch the iPhone 4 “Face Time” video.
Visit the iPhone 4 web page

Didn’t make it down for the Canadian iPad launch day on Friday May 28th? We’ll here it is, the whole day in just minutes courtesy of Mac OS X Server, QuickTime Broadcaster, and iSight camera, Final Cut, iMovie, and the Beach Boys.

To activate and enable your iPad 3G (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) for wireless access anywhere you require the Rogers Wireless Micro-Sim Card. These cards are in-stock for $9.99 at Soho with no activation fee!

Bring in your 3G enabled iPad and we’ll help you install your card and both activate your plan and show you how to manage your wireless account with Rogers through your iPad.

Explore a world of accessories for your new iPad from hard cases, to carry bags, to protective and decorative skins , to privacy films, keyboards, and much much more…

Explore iPad Accessories at Soho