Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide: Tips and more from the experts and Macworld

Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide, Third Edition

Take your iPhone know-how from zero to sixty!

Hey, What's This?
If you're familiar with our ebooks, you've probably noticed that this one is different. It was written by our friends at Macworld (some of whom also write for Take Control and TidBITS).

You'll get started with a rundown of iPhone parts and ports, and directions for configuring many settings. Next up, you'll learn how to get online via a data network and Wi-Fi, plus learn how your wireless connections work and how to maintain good online security. As you continue reading, you'll find real-world advice on using built-in apps, including Contacts, Phone, Mail, Messages, iPod, Safari, Maps, Calendar, Voice Memos, Compass, Stocks, Clock, and Calculator.

The ebook also covers new iPhone OS 3.0 features, including:

The long-awaited Cut, Copy, and Paste
Spotlight searching for apps, contacts, email messages, song names, and more
Using your voice to place calls and control iPod (3GS only)
Recording video in the Camera app (3GS only)
Find My iPhone (requires MobileMe)

More Info
Contents & Intro
FAQ
Blog

You'll also learn about accurate typing on the tiny keyboard, watching videos via YouTube, converting your own videos to watch on the iPhone, devising a smart syncing strategy, working with photos, and performing basic problem solving, as well as working with third-party apps. And, you'll find recommendations for the best third-party apps, cases, headsets, speakers, and power accessories.

The Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide answers these questions and many more:

What are the biggest differences among the various iPhone models?
How do iPod touch and iPhone features compare?
How do I conserve battery power while still receiving calls and messages?
How do I turn on Vibrate mode?
How do I "favorite" a contact and access her phone number quickly?
How do I assign a custom ringtone to a contact?
How do I set my iPhone phone number to do Caller ID?
How do I save an email-attached photo to my Camera Roll?
How do I do text messaging and what charges apply?
How do I create an On-The-Go playlist?
How do I add and delete bookmarks from Safari?
How do I access RSS feeds?
Which third-party instant-messaging apps are worth a look?
How do I customize the controls in the iPod app?
How do I "scrub" (fast forward or rewind) more precisely in the iPod app?
Can you give me some examples of smart playlists?

Book Info

172 pages
Version 3.0
Published 08-Jul-09
6.3 MB download
ISBN: 0982262116
Free sample with Table of Contents, Intro, Quick Start, and section starts.

About the Authors

The Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide was written by Ben Boychuk, Christopher Breen, Peter Cohen, Jim Dalrymple, Glenn Fleishman, Dan Frakes, Rob Griffiths, Chris Holt, Ted Landau, Dan Moren, Jon Seff, and Jason Snell.

Book Reviews

Author Interviews

Foreword

Apple's iPhone isn't just another mobile phone. The iPod touch isn't just another music player. They're also the smallest Macs ever created—because underneath that glass touch screen, they're running Mac OS X.

The iPhone and iPod touch represent the second time Apple has tried to completely rethink the way we connect with our computers. The original Macintosh changed the world by providing a physical control (the mouse) that moved a cursor on a computer interface. But the iPhone and iPod touch do it one better. Now, instead of pushing around a mouse to make a disembodied arrow or hand move on the computer screen, you use your finger to do all the moving. When you touch a photo, a Web page, or an e-mail message and slide your finger across the screen, the image moves along with your touch, as if you were moving a physical object. There's no cursor on the screen because your finger is your pointer—and pointing, despite what your mother may have told you, is just what fingers are meant to do.

That brings us to the subject of this book. Why in the world would Macworld publish an entire book about devices that are supposed to be so intuitive? It's a question I get a lot, including from people at Apple. Their goal—and it's a smart one to shoot for—is to make an incredibly complex technology as easy to use as possible. And these devices are easy to use, which is one reason they're so appealing.

But make no mistake about it: your device is a computer. And a full Web browser. And an e-mail client. It can run thousands of programs written by independent developers, connect to Wi-Fi networks, and even log in to your employer's Virtual Private Network (VPN). But as easy as they are to use, the iPhone and iPod touch have an ocean of depth. Our goal is to help you plumb those depths and uncover more of your device's hid- den potential. In the pages of this book, we'll give you not only the basics but also more-advanced tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice. And for the very latest iPhone and iPod touch coverage, be sure to visit iPhone Central and our App Guide.

—Jason Snell, Editorial Director, Macworld
San Francisco, June 2009

Getting Started

The iPhone 3G at a Glance: Familiarize yourself with the iPhone's main hardware features, including every button, switch, slot, and plug.
Changing Your Settings: Take a tour of the Settings menu, where you can change your ringtone, check how many minutes you've used, and set preferences for individual third-party apps.
Getting On the Network: Get the most from the iPhone's Wi-Fi, Edge, and 3G abilities. We'll show you how to connect and what precautions to take to protect your valuable data.

Staying in Touch

Managing Contacts: At the heart of all of the iPhone's communication features lies the Contacts list. Here's how to create, sync, access, and organize your contacts.
Using the Phone: From making calls to answering voice mail, we'll show you how to quickly navigate the iPhone's most important features.
Checking E-mail: Review the basics on how to set up new e-mail accounts and work with your messages—including viewing attachments. We've also got tips for mastering the virtual keyboard.
Sending Text Messages: SMS text messages offer a convenient way to have a brief conversation or send quick notes. Learn how to carry on multiple conversations and other tricks.

Multimedia on the iPhone

Navigating Music and Videos: Learn how to navigate your media library easily, how to access some of the less obvious features, and how to create playlists on the fly.
Using YouTube: If you get bored with the video files synced to your iPhone, you can access streaming content from YouTube's online video warehouse.
Smart Syncing Strategies: Do you have more music, podcasts, and videos than will fit on your iPhone? Learn how to get the most from the iPhone's storage by slimming down files and setting up smart playlists.
Converting Video for the iPhone: With the help of some free or low-cost software, you can quickly convert videos from your hard drive or other sources to enjoy on the road.
Working with Photos: We'll show you how to get photos onto the iPhone, use the built-in camera, record video, and show off your creations to others.

Maximize Productivity

Surf the Web: Safari on the iPhone packs a lot of power. Navigate the Web, manage your bookmarks, and learn the smart way to check RSS feeds.
Maps and GPS: Use iPhone's Maps program and GPS powers to find local businesses, follow driving directions, and keep an eye on traffic.
Scheduling: Track time with smart calendar syncing and alarm settings. Here's how to manage events and deadlines without missing a beat.
The iPhone's Other Applications: Meet the iPhone and iPod touch's other default applications: Calculator, Notes, Stocks, Weather, Voice Memos, and Compass.

Troubleshooting Tips

Tools of the Trade: Every iPhone and iPod touch owner should learn these simple steps. They will help you recover fast from the most common iPhone problems.
Fixing Common Problems: Whether it's stubborn e-mail attachments, confusing sync options, or a missing iPhone, here are our tips on how to solve some of the most common conundrums.

Third-Party Apps

Accessing Apps: Get acquainted with Apple's App Store and learn how to download and manage any of the thousands of third-party apps available.
Be Productive: Use your iPhone and iPod touch to accomplish more with these productivity apps which let you log time, organize your searches, and transfer files.
Stay Connected: Stay up-to-date on the latest news, changing stock prices, and your friends' Twitter feeds.
Have Fun: These iPhone apps are an excellent aid to cutting loose. Listen to the radio, find movie times, edit photos, and of course, play games.

The Best iPhone Accessories

Cases: Keep your iPhone safe from drops, scrapes, and other mishaps with these cases. Whether you want something stylish, rugged, or invisible, there's a case for you.
Headphones: Improve sound and get interesting features, such as noise-canceling technology, when you invest in a good pair of third-party headphones.
Speakers: Find the right iPhone speakers for any setup in our recommendations, which cover every size and budget.
Power Accessories: Keep your iPhone and iPod touch juiced and ready to go with these clever power-related gadgets.

“Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide” Covers iPhone OS 3.0 and iPhone 3GS

July 10, 2009 --

Macworld has been burning the midnight oil to update their iPhone Superguide to cover the new iPhone OS 3.0 and iPhone 3GS, and after only a few weeks, they've given us a thoroughly revised edition, the "Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide, Third Edition." In its 172 pages, you'll find carefully organized, detailed information, all completely updated for the iPhone OS 3.0 and the iPhone 3GS (though it also covers older iPhone models and the iPod touch). It's free for everyone who already has the second edition, so please contact us if you haven't already received email with a download link.

Because this is a third edition, it has a good amount of breadth and depth, covering the hardware, the many settings, the various built-in apps, syncing, problem solving, third-party apps, and third-party hardware add-ons. Lots of minor iPhone OS 3.0 and iPhone 3GS features are covered, along with the following major changes:

The long-awaited Cut, Copy, and Paste
Spotlight searching for apps, contacts, email messages, song names, and more
Using your voice to place calls and control the iPod app (3GS only)
Recording video in the Camera app (3GS only)
Find My iPhone (requires MobileMe)

The iPhone is interesting from a documentation standpoint, because it's quite simple and generally obvious, but as soon as you want to go beyond the basics, it can become quite difficult to figure out how to do much of anything. That's where general-purpose books like the "Macworld iPhone & iPod touch Superguide" come in - they provide the foundation you need to make sure you're not just stumbling around only the parts of the interface you can see easily. Ted Landau is working on revising our "Take Control of Your iPhone" as well, but since that book goes into quite a lot more depth and includes hard-won troubleshooting information, it's going to take Ted longer to finish.

—Adam C. Engst

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