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Take Control of Your iPhone, Second Edition
This book has been replaced by Take Control of iPhone OS 3.
iPhone OS 3? iPhone 3GS? iTunes 9?We have replaced Take Control of Your iPhone with Take Control of iPhone OS 3. Buy that version instead.
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Taking the Murphy's Law approach that if something can go wrong, it probably will, Ted explains how your iPhone figures out where in the world it is, how it connects to Internet and cellular data networks, and how it communicates with your Mac. You'll learn key details of syncing with iTunes and via MobileMe, how to manage your apps, and ways you can share files with your Mac. The ebook helps you get the most life from your iPhone battery and connect a Bluetooth headset, and it provides tricks for typing more quickly and accurately. Ted also provides a cornucopia of helpful advice for making the most of the main built-in iPhone apps, including iPod, Phone, Mail, Maps, and Safari.
But that's not all—extensive problem-solving sections help you solve network problems, resolve sync conflicts, avoid crashes, and, if necessary, restore an ailing iPhone from backup.
Take Control of Your iPhone is cheap insurance if you have a problem the night before you take your iPhone on a long trip.
—David Weeks, in MyMac.com
Questions answered in this ebook include:
- How do I transfer photos to and from my iPhone?
- Can I delete an app, but get it back later?
- How do I handle sync-related problems?
- How do the various volume controls work together?
- What's the best way to increase battery life?
- Can I make my own ringtones?
- What should I know before I travel to another country?
- How should I set up my passwords if I am concerned about theft?
- What are the pros and cons of jailbreaking?
- How do I put an often-used Web page on my Home screen?
- How can I do a Google search using my voice?
- How do I get started with syncing via Exchange?
- How do I know if my iPhone is broken and needs a repair?
Syncing: For a different approach to learning about iPhone syncing, consider Take Control of Syncing Data in Leopard, which helps you get set up and looks at sync conflicts, explaining how syncing works generally so you can understand what's happening and devise a solution. Take Control of Your iPhone has more under-the-hood details on syncing from the iPhone's perspective, but fewer big-picture explanations of how Leopard orchestrates syncing.
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About the Author
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Thanks to books like Sad Macs, Bombs & Other Disasters, innumerable magazine articles, and the founding of MacFixIt,
Table of Contents
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Read Me FirstWelcome to Take Control of Your iPhone, Second Edition, published in February 2009 by TidBITS Publishing Inc. This book was written by Ted Landau and edited by Tonya Engst, with assistance from Henning Pape-Santos and Jeff Carlson. This book helps you get the most out of your iPhone, providing a compendium of information about many common (and some not-so-common) uses of the iPhone’s software and hardware. It goes beyond the basics when it comes to helping you avoid and solve problems. Although it has the word "iPhone" in the title, it was tested on an iPod touch and has iPod touch-specific details. |
Introduction
Welcome to Take Control of Your iPhone, Second Edition. I am excited about writing this book. I bought my first iPhone in 2007, the week it was released. I have not felt so enthusiastic about a new product since I got my first Mac in 1984. With the introduction of third-party apps in iPhone software 2.x, my enthusiasm continues to grow, and each day I find new ways to use my iPhone. With this book, I hope to share some of my excitement with you.
You may be puzzled by the selected coverage in this book. For example, why is there a section on Maps but not one on Text or Notes? There is a reason. This book is not meant as a general introduction to the iPhone—for that, try Apple's free iPhone User's Guide. Instead, my approach is to emphasize topics that you are less likely to have figured out or are not covered in Apple's guide.
I have included what I believe are the more common and most important things that you will want to know, with a focus on working effectively, avoiding problems, and fixing things when they go wrong. In several cases, as noted in Appendix B, the material is extended on the Web, so that I can include more information. I focus almost exclusively on iPhone software 2.x—with extended coverage of new features such as the App Store and MobileMe. I also look at the major additions in the iPhone 3G, such as GPS support and 3G networking.
Although I emphasize the iPhone, I also describe the differences between the iPhone and the iPod touch. Given the Macintosh focus for the Take Control series and the self-imposed limits to the book's page count, I don't discuss Windows.
Now you know what this book is and what it isn't. What I most want it to be is a valuable reference for you and your iPhone. I hope that's what you'll discover as you read through it.
Quick Start to
You needn't read this book from cover to cover. If you have a specific problem or question, you can go immediately to the section where the answer is likely to be found. However, reading the entire book does have its benefits—you'll learn a lot about operating your iPhone, and not only will you pick up useful tips but you'll also learn techniques for avoiding and solving problems before you encounter them unexpectedly.
Manage syncing:
- Sync smoothly with iTunes. Read Understand Sync Options and Understand the iPhone Backup
- Get help with syncing problems in Solve Sync Failures and Errors and Resolve Sync Conflicts.
- Find out how to Create and Sync Custom Ringtones.
- You can sync some types of data via Mobile Me; follow the directions in Use MobileMe, and get help with any problems in The MobileMe FAQ.
- For help with Exchange-related syncing, read Appendix A: The iPhone in an Enterprise Environment.
Manage apps:
- Learn how to use the App Store to Install Apps and Update Apps. Plus find steps for how to Delete Apps and Re-install Deleted Apps.
- If you're having problems with an App Store app, check out The App FAQ.
- Read Jailbreaking: What, Why, and How to find out why and how to obtain software not available through the App Store.
- In Tame Safari, learn how to Add Missing Features, such as a Find function, and discover how to Solve Safari Problems, such as Web pages that refuse to load or load unusually slowly.
- Go beyond the basic features of the Map app to Make the Most of Maps.
- For help with making or receiving phone calls, see The Phone FAQ (p.168).
- To solve problems with email or spam, see The Mail FAQ.
- To get help with obtaining or playing music and video, see The iPod FAQ and The iTunes Store FAQ.
Learn troubleshooting basics:
- Know what to do when the iPhone freezes (stops working) or crashes. See Prevent Freezes and Crashes.
- Discover how to Reset, Restore, or Recover.
- Worried that you may have a hardware problem? Decide if Your iPhone Needs Repair.
- Want to solve your problem as quickly as possible, without learning the basics? Read 8 Quick Troubleshooting Steps (next page).
Handle networking:
- Learn how to Solve Wi-Fi Network Problems and Solve Data Network Problems.
- Discover how to save money accessing the Internet when you Travel Abroad with Your iPhone.
- To keep network communications secure, see Use a VPN.
- For info on using Bluetooth, check out Use a Bluetooth Headset or Car Kit.
Work smarter:
- Get help with typing faster in Master the Virtual Keyboard.
- To squeeze the most power from the battery, check out Manage the Battery.
- Take control of the various options for adjusting volume; see Understand Sound Controls.
- Worried that your iPhone may get lost or stolen? Learn how to Lock Your iPhone and Handle Other Passwords.
Is this book updated for the iPhone 3G S or the iPhone 3 operating system?
Apple released both of those items in June 2009. Ted is working on a new edition of this ebook that will cover them. To see the latest news on the update's progress, click the Blog tab above and look at the top entry. Anyone who has purchased this ebook during or after June 2009 will receive a free update once it is available
Does the book cover using an iPhone with both the Mac and Windows?
Alas, no. To keep the ebook to a reasonable size, we've focused any computer-related coverage on the Mac. We estimate that about 85% of the ebook will apply equally to Windows users, though.
How useful is this ebook for people who live outside of the United States?
Although most of the information in the ebook applies to everyone, no matter where they are or bought the iPhone, the ebook does assume that you bought in the iPhone in the United States and are in the United States. So, some of the advice won't apply if you are elsewhere on the planet.
Does this ebook cover the iPod touch?
Yes—although the text of the book refers generally to the iPhone, most of the information also applies to the iPod touch, and if there is a difference, Ted says so.
How Do I Read This Ebook on My iPhone or iPod touch?
At the moment, you have two options:
- First option: You can email the ebook's PDF to an email address that you access via your iPhone or touch.
- Second option: Transfer the PDF to your device using software like the free Briefcase Lite or the $4.99 AirSharing app, which help you move common files to an iPhone and provide a somewhat better user experience than Mail. For instance, AirSharing can show the top-level table of contents. To our knowledge, no PDF app supports live internal links or Web links. If you've found a PDF app that supports link following, please let us know! For a more detailed look at different iPhone/touch PDF apps, read the ever-changing Google Doc that Tonya is developing about this topic.
Ask a Question
Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this book!
Send Us Your Comments!
How could we not publish such kind words? If you'd like to send us your comments (good or bad, though we hope they're all good), just click the Feedback link on the cover of your copy of the ebook. Be sure to let us know if we can publish your comment. Thanks!
Just because we feel like it, here is a rundown of apps that folks who write for TidBITS and the Take Control series particularly recommend. This content isn't in the ebook, or anywhere else, but we stuck it here in case it helps someone else.
iPhone Apps for Designers
January 28, 2009 -- The App Store really does contain more than just games and novelty programs. Jeff Carlson spotlights eight applications that designers will find helpful in his article at CreativePro.com. —Doug
The Big List
As TidBITS editor Joe Kissell found out when he tried to review a few iPhone games, there are far more apps available for the iPhone than any one reviewer could easily rate and recommend (see The iPhone Game Review Conundrum). However, these apps—listed alphabetically—have caught the eye of someone related to TidBITS Publishing:
Air Sharing ($7): This app helps your iPhone or touch sync with a folder on your Mac, allowing you to automatically transfer files—such as PDFs, graphics, and Office documents—to your iPhone. (See Comparing Five iPhone File Transfer Apps.)
Briefcase ($5): Another app that helps your iPhone or touch sync with a folder on your Mac, allowing you to automatically transfer files to your iPhone. (See Comparing Five iPhone File Transfer Apps.)
Easy Wi-Fi ($1.99 introductory price): The iPhone has many fantastic features, but Apple's choice to disable form-filling and password storage in Mobile Safari means lots of tedious re-entry of data. At hotspots, this can be particularly irritating if you have an account, and have to dig out the details, tap them in, and inevitably—as I do—make a mistake. (See Easy Wi-Fi Enters Hotspot Passwords for You.)
Evernote (free): This client app also helps your iPhone or touch sync with a folder on your Mac, allowing you to automatically transfer files to your iPhone. (See Comparing Five iPhone File Transfer Apps.)
FileMagnet ($5): Yet another app that helps your iPhone or touch sync with a folder on your Mac, allowing you to automatically transfer files to your iPhone. (See Comparing Five iPhone File Transfer Apps.)
Google Earth (free): The iPhone is already pushing hard into the realm of what would have been science fiction 20 years ago, but with the release of the Google Earth iPhone app, it gets even closer. Could you have imagined using a handheld device to view an aerial photo of the Woolworth Building in Manhattan, and then tapping a tiny icon to read an encyclopedia article about it? (See First Look at Google Earth for iPhone.)
iWant (free): This handy app helps you find local services ranging from hotels and restaurants to gas stations and ATMs. A recent TidBITS article by Rich Mogull discusses how he used it to avoid sleeping at the airport on a recent trip. (See iPhone Saves Weary Road Warrior.)
LogMeIn Ignition (free if you are accepted into beta test program): This app will let you log into other computers from your iPhone or iPod touch, so that you can manipulate them remotely. (See LogMeIn Tests Remote Screen Sharing via iPhone, iPod touch.)
Remote (free): This app is covered in Take Control of Your iPhone. A number of authors and editors at TidBITS Publishing use this app to turn an iPhone or touch into a handy remote control for iTunes or an Apple TV.
SugarSync (varies): One last client app that helps your iPhone or touch sync with a folder on your Mac, allowing you to automatically transfer files to your iPhone. (See SugarSync Sweetens Online Syncing and Comparing Five iPhone File Transfer Apps.)
The above list was last updated by Doug on 10-Dec-08.
New AT&T Unlimited Data Plan Option, Thinking about Your Cellular Data Use
February 3, 2010 --
If you have an unlimited talk/data plan with AT&T, you may wish to modify your plan. According to an article posted at iPhone Central on January 15th, AT&T is now offering a $100-per-month plan that includes unlimited voice and data, which beats the previous option of $100-per-month for unlimited voice and $30-per-month for unlimited data. Apparently, you can make the switch without penalty or extending your contract.
If you're curious about how much cellular data you receive on your iPhone or deeply interested in the topic, and particularly if you are considering purchasing an iPad, check out Glenn Fleishman's TidBITS article, Can You Get By with 250 MB of Data Per Month?. The article is interesting, but it gets exciting in the comments.
—Tonya Engst
Ted Talks about His Latest iPhone Ebook
November 12, 2009 --
Tune in to MacNotables #949 and get to know author Ted Landau as he discusses his history with titles changing on the books that he writes, and why Ted's latest iPhone ebook has a new title and tightened focus. You'll also find out what Ted thinks you should do first with a new iPhone, get advice on syncing data to the iPhone, consider whether Flash support on the iPhone is important, and more.
—Tonya Engst
Home Sharing vs. iTunes Sharing
October 16, 2009 --
Home Sharing, a new feature in iTunes 9, makes it possible to easily share media among family members (or any group where everyone is authorized on the same iTunes Store account). While the feature is a clear win for sharing iPhone apps, several Take Control authors have been perplexed by Home Sharing, either because the feature didn't perform as they'd expected, or because it's difficult to concisely explain the differences between it and the old iTunes Sharing feature. Thankfully, Take Control author Ted Landau's recent Mac Observer article tackles the subject. If you're interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how to share media in iTunes, check it out!
—Doug McLean
How to Enable MMS on the iPhone
September 25, 2009 --
AT&T started offering MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) in the United States today after a long delay. Learn how to activate and use it by checking out Jeff Carlson's TidBITS article, Enable MMS on the iPhone in the U.S.
—Doug McLean
Smart Calendar Syncing with iPhone OS 3.1
September 18, 2009 --
Calendar syncing between your Mac and your iPhone or iPod touch as always been a bit squirrelly once you go beyond the basics, and despite Apple's rolling out new versions of all the software involved, it's still squirrelly. Take Control author Michael Cohen runs down the options and offers a possible workaround to duplicating calendar events in TidBITS, in Preventing Duplicate Calendar Events in iPhone OS 3.1.
—Tonya Engst
Garmin’s nüvi vs. Navigon’s MobileNavigator for iPhone
September 4, 2009 --
Take Control author Ted Landau has thought a lot about the difference between unique GPS devices and GPS apps for the iPhone. Weighing the pros and cons of using Garmin's nüvi and Navigon’s MobileNavigator for iPhone, Landeau runs down the major points of comparison between the two in his recent article for The Mac Observer, "Garmin’s nüvi vs. Navigon’s MobileNavigator for iPhone: The Ultimate Showdown."
—Doug McLean
TidBITS Article Thoroughly Explains Find My iPhone
June 18, 2009 --
iPhones and iPod touches running the new iPhone 3 operating system can be set up to work with MobileMe so that if they are lost they can be tracked and located, and if they are stolen or otherwise in the hands of people who shouldn't have them, their contents can be erased remotely. In the TidBITS article iPhone 3.0 Finds Your Lost iPhone and iPod touch, Glenn Fleishman gives steps for turning on the feature, discusses what to do if your iPhone or iPod touch is lost, and discusses some interesting limitations and concerns.
—Tonya Engst
iPhone 3.0 Software Sports Sync Changes
June 17, 2009 --
Apple released its iPhone 3.0 software today, and among its other features are some that affect syncing between your Mac and your iPhone or iPod touch. Here's a quick overview of new syncing features and their interesting quirks . . . .
—Michael E. Cohen
Why Doesn’t the New iPhone 3GS Have 802.11n?
June 9, 2009 --
A long-time TidBITS reader was twittering yesterday about feeling frustrated with the iPhone still lacking 802.11n, because he wanted to connect his iPhone to an 802.11n-only home network. Glenn Fleishman twittered back with a link to an article Does the iPhone Need 802.11n? that Glenn wrote for the Wi-Fi Net News Web site. The article explains likely reasons why Apple chose not to include 802.11n in the iPhone and speculates that an upcoming single-stream 802.11n technology might find its way into the iPhone and similar devices.
—Tonya Engst
TidBITS Discusses iPhone OS 3.0 Announcement
June 8, 2009 --
We don't have to speculate any longer about when Apple will release iPhone OS 3.0, because Apple today announced that the release date is June 17, 2009. The new operating system will be free to current iPhone owners and $9.95 for iPod touch owners. Either way, it has a lot to offer, and while you might want to wait a few days past the 17th to make sure you experience a trouble-free upgrade, you'll definitely want to get your hands on the nifty new features in the update. The entire TidBITS crew collaborated on the article—iPhone OS 3.0 Ships 17-Jun-09.
—Tonya Engst
TidBITS Covers the New iPhone 3GS
June 8, 2009 --
Apple has announced a June 9th release for the new iPhone 3GS. Major new features include a speedier processor (hence the S in the name), more storage space, a snazzier camera, voice control, faster data connectivity, and a digital compass. You can read all about it in the TIdBITS article New iPhone 3GS Boosts Power, Performance, and More. The article details the new features and notes pricing for existing iPhone owners who want to immediately switch to the new model.
—Tonya Engst
Hear Tonya Discuss Reading Ebooks on iPhones and Kindles
June 3, 2009 --
In MacNotables #917, I chat with host Chuck Joiner about file formats and hardware devices for ebooks, with a focus on the iPhone, iPod touch, and the Kindle. If you're curious about where I think ebooks are going, or wondering about what's happening in the minds of ebook publishers, give it a listen!
If you're curious about reading Take Control ebooks on one of these devices, check out these Take Control FAQ entries:
- How do I read a Take Control ebook on an iPhone or iPod touch?
- How do I read a Take Control ebook on a Kindle?
—Tonya Engst
Gmail, Apple Mail, and IMAP
May 6, 2009 --
Some iPhone users use IMAP to view and file their email effectively on more than one device, thus getting around the problem that while the iPhone works well for scanning email subject lines and short messages, it's screen is too small for easily handling long messages. To learn more about IMAP, and find out how Take Control author Joe Kissell set up his IMAP, Gmail, and Apple Mail capabilities, check out Joe's exceptionally detailed TidBITS article, Achieving Email Bliss with IMAP, Gmail, and Apple Mail. Whether Joe's set up is right for you or not, you'll almost certainly learn more about how you receive email and get ideas for enhancing your set up.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Announces iPhone Software 3.0
March 18, 2009 --
Apple has announced plans to include a dazzling array of new features in iPhone software version 3.0, which is slated to ship in the "summer" of 2009.
—Tonya Engst
Ted Talks about Second Edition of iPhone Ebook, Jailbreaking
February 13, 2009 --
Get to know Ted better in this interview conducted by MacNotables host Chuck Joiner. Find out more about the development and goals for this ebook and hear Ted's take on when (or if) jailbreaking your iPhone makes sense.
—Tonya Engst
“Take Control of Your iPhone, Second Edition” Offers Key Advice
February 12, 2009 --
It's been a while since we've announced a new ebook, but we've been hard at work and are pleased to let you know that Ted Landau's Take Control of Your iPhone, Second Edition is now available, and it is up-to-date for the latest iPhone 2.2.1 software release. Ted's a writing machine, and he has pumped out a 183-page compendium (plus additional online resources) of the most useful information about the iPhone, with a particular focus on helping you work more effectively, avoid trouble, and fix any existing problems. The book normally costs $15, but as a limited time introductory discount, you can get it for $10 with the link above (follow the link, click the Buy Ebook button, and your discount should appear in the first screen of the shopping cart).
Taking the Murphy's Law approach that if something can go wrong, it probably will, Ted explains how your iPhone figures out where in the world it is, how it connects to the Internet and cellular data networks, and how it communicates with your Mac. You'll learn key details of syncing with iTunes and via MobileMe, how to manage your apps, and ways you can share files with your Mac. The ebook helps you get the most life from your iPhone battery and connect a Bluetooth headset, and it provides tricks for typing more quickly and accurately. You'll find a cornucopia of advice for making the most of the main built-in iPhone apps, including iPod, Phone, Mail, Maps, and Safari. But that's not all - extensive problem-solving sections help you solve network problems, resolve sync conflicts, avoid crashes, and, if necessary, restore an ailing iPhone from backup.
The ebook covers the iPhone from a Macintosh point of view, though most of the information is useful even if you connect your iPhone to a Windows PC. The ebook also covers the iPod touch; we just couldn't figure out a clever way to work "iPod touch" into the title.
For those who have the preview version of the second edition "Take Control of Your iPhone," click the Check for Updates button on the cover to access your free update. And if you own the first edition of the ebook, also use Check for Updates to look for a 50%-off discount on the upgrade. We've also sent email to these groups with details.
—Adam C. Engst
Google Sync Beta for iPhone
February 9, 2009 --
Google announced the availability today of Google Sync for iPhone. This service allows you to sync your Google Calendars and Contacts with your iPhone wirelessly, using push technology. The service requires you that you set up an Exchange account on your iPhone and that your iPhone is running iPhone software version 2.2 or later. You can see the instructions here, and you can see a list of known issues and limitations with the beta here.
—Michael E. Cohen
Old News for “Take Control of Your iPhone,” First Edition
September 26, 2008 --
(odd date placement due to conversion to new back-end system, sorry)
Fix 5002 Error When Updating iPhone Apps
For the last week or so users have been experiencing an App Store error when updating their apps in iTunes 8. Apple's discussion boards have discovered several fixes for the problem. You can read about it in my _TidBITS_ article, Fix 5002 Error When Updating iPhone Apps.
Power Adapter Recall for iPhone 3G
September 22, 2008 -- Apple has recalled the subcompact power adapter that ships with the iPhone 3G. You can read about it in Glenn Fleishman's _TidBITS_ article, Apple Recalls Its Supercool iPhone 3G USB Power Plug. Apparently the new plugs will have green dots on them, in order to differentiate them from the old ones.
Free SMS on Your iPhone via AIM
July 29, 2008 -- If you're contending with paying for text messaging on your new iPhone 3G, check out Jeff Carlson's recent _TidBITS_ article, Send SMS for Free via AIM on iPhone, to learn whether iChat/AIM could keep those messages flowing at no charge.
Review of iPhone Headsets
July 28, 2008 -- _TidBITS_ recently published Hands-Free iPhone Options for the Car, which looks at headset options from Apple, Plantronics, Belkin, Monster, and Parrot.
Dealing with iPhone/touch App Crashes
July 28, 2008 -- If you're having trouble with your iPhone, and if you think it's app related, check out Ted's recent Macworld article, Bugs & Fixes: Dealing with iPhone app bugs and crashes. He tells you when (and how) to restart, advises you to stay up-to-date, and suggests that you get rid of problematic apps (by deleting them; he explains how to delete 'em and notes that you can get a deleted app that you paid for back later for free).
Wi-Fi Security Tip
April 30, 2008 -- According to security expert Rich Mogull, you should consider the security implications of letting your iPhone "know" about Wi-Fi networks that it has previously connected to, especially if your iPhone memorizes a Wi-Fi network configured with a common name, like tsunami. To remove a Wi-Fi network from an iPhone’s list of known networks, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the More Info icon for any listed known network, and tap Forget this Network. For more info, see Rich's recent article, iPhone Security Tip: Never Memorize Wireless Networks.
—Tonya Engst
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