Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I reviewed the 2nd edition of this book, and now here is my review for the 3rd edition.
This edition INCLUDES info for the 3G, the 3Gs, and the iPod touch.
I own many other Peachpit books (mostly for computer software), and three others by these authors: one by Scott Kelby (alone) and two by Scott and Terry White together (including the 2nd edition of this particular book). This is just as fantastic as my other Kelby books, if not more so.
I originally got this book (2nd edition - prior to the 3.0 firmware upgrade) because even though I was familiar with PDA phones (due to owning a Palm Treo for over two years), I was NOT familiar with the Apple iPhone. I had a feeling my new iPhone 3G had a bunch of hidden goodies I didn't know about, and this book proved me right. I bought my iPhone first, then this book. I fell in love with my iPhone the first week of using it, and this book made my love even deeper the second week! (As of re-writing this review, I have had my iPhone 3G for over seven (7) months.)
This book is illustrated with COLOR screen shots on EACH AND EVERY PAGE. It includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced instructions/hints/tips, so no matter what you want to use this phone for this book tells you how to do it - in EASY TO UNDERSTAND wording. It's like learning with your friend who talks like a regular person instead of a techie!
On some pages (at the bottom of the page) the authors include an additional tip (they nickname 'iTips') on whatever tool you are learning about. These tips can include external links to other websites to explore, or just shortcuts on how to make your iPhone experience more enjoyable.
In a tight economy, this book is a time saver (you know ... "time is money" ...) AND a money saver - the info on how to create your OWN free ringtones saves you money, and allows you to choose your own music instead of relying on what is available thru iTunes.
It is a quick and easy read - I literally read the entire book from cover to cover in about an hour and a half - and you walk away from it feeling smarter and more confident. The BEST thing is that you can refer back to it again and again to refresh yourself or learn something new.
You can also skip around - you DON'T have to read the chapters in order. Skim, scan, pick, choose. It's all good!
Here is the Table of Contents: (for the 3rd edition)
pages xvi-xvii - 7 things you'll wish you had known before reading this book (read it, trust me you'll be glad you did!)
Chapter 1: The Bare Essentials (the stuff you have to learn first)
Chapter 2: Phoneheads (how to use the iPhone's phone)
Chapter 3: Please Mr. Postman (getting and sending email on your iPhone)
Chapter 4: Surfin' Safari (using the iPhone's Safari web browser)
Chapter 5: Tool Time (iPhone's tools for organizing your life)
Chapter 6: The Song Remains the Same (using iTunes, the iTunes store, and the App store)
Chapter 7: Video Killed the Radio Star (using the iPhone's built-in iPod)
Chapter 8: One Hour Photo (enjoying photos on your iPhone)
Chapter 9: Cereal Killer (killer tips and tricks) THIS ROCKS!!
Chapter 10: The Trouble with Boys (troubleshooting your iPhone) This could also be called "Tips & Tricks, part 2".
Chapter 11: Setting Me Off (the ins & outs of your iPhone's settings)
Index
There are two additional FANTASTIC bonuses included with this book:
1. a link to a BONUS video
2. FREE online access to this book
I am CONVINCED that this book was written for "non-techies", as well as techies. Since I am somewhere in the middle, I found a few things I already knew, but many things I did not. (Granted, I do NOT use an "exchange server" connection for my email, but if I did I would know how to do it.)
I took a one-day Kelby training seminar last year, and was so very grateful for all the generous "bonuses" that came with my seminar fee. This book is NO exception to the generosity of Kelby. These folks just want all of us to be happy with our technology, and it shows.
I can't thank the authors enough for this book. I want to hug both of them and tell them it has changed (ENRICHED) my user experience of my iPhone. If you only glean ONE new technique, then it is more than worth it.
Thanks to all involved in writing this book!
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