iPhone For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

The iPhone is a great product. But it takes getting used to. I am an Apple/Macintosh devoteé since 1994, but one place they fall down is on manuals. If they have one at all it is incomprehensible. I am also a fan of all the "dummie" books. And this is a good one.

The iPhone is very intuitive to use, but there are features and tips that let you get the most from it. These are covered well in this familiar "Dummies" format.

The iPhone for Dummies is a dated book and seems to be written for iPhone with firmware 1.0. The book does not cover the January 15, 2008 update that Apple rolled out at Mac World. Apple has also rolled out a 16 G iPhone in addition to the 8 G iPhone as of February 5, 2008 which is not covered in the book.

For someone that has been using the Mac OS X and uses Apples standard application such as Address Book, iPhoto, and iTunes the iPhone is probability not a hard to use and the iPhone for Dummies probability seems like an easy read. But if you are coming from a Microsoft Windows platform or have had little interest in learning or do not use a lot of the standard Apple programs that are on your Mac this book is for you. The authors easily walk you through the features of the iPhone. If the iPhone seems easy to you and you have questions about specific functions the book is easy to jump around without having to read the book from cover to cover. The book has a good table of contents and a good index to find what you want about the iPhone.

The book has good color photos and graphics so you can look at the pictures as you work along with the authors. The authors bolded the steps in the instructions so they can easily found and followed.

The authors cover all the basic functions of the iPhone in 13 chapters from making a phone call, playing music, and surfing the web. They have 4 additional chapters that would be of interest to iPhone users. The chapter titles are "When Good iPhones Go Bad," Ten Thing for the Wish List," "Ten Terrific Web Resources," and "Ten Helpful Hints, Tips, and Shortcuts."

One feature I wanted to learn more about was the use of the Google Maps Application for the before the January 15th update. I found the directions easy to follow, and I was able used the iPhone to navigate from Denver, CO to Glennwood Springs, CO and back on the instructions in the sections on Google Maps Application.

One item that I have had problems with on the iPhone is getting the iPhone to sync my Apple Bluetooth headset for the iPhone. I looked in the book regarding this subject and it is very weak on Bluetooth information. I am guessing the book was written prior to the headset being released.

The authors also point out some of the things that the iPhone does not do. I found myself frustrated when the iPhone was in cover flow (horizontal) playing music. They point out that you lose some to the controls such has volume control. You have to switch pack to vertical position in order to control the volume.

I would have like to see the publisher have a site for the book for updates to the iPhone features. Since it seems there has been 3 updates in iPhone features since the book has been published.

The book iPhone for Dummies is a good book for someone wanting to getting up and going with the iPhone. It is an easy to read and understand. The downside of the book is it is dated.

Having been in the IT field as a trainer for over 20 years, I seldom pick up a Dummies book. But after reading two other books, Kelby and Progue, and then this one, I can honestly say that this is the one to get, if you get only one iPhone book. The warnings are a unique and especially useful addition, and the photos are gorgeous.

I got this book today and have not been able to put it down.
I thought that I knew a lot about my iPhone but this book has given me even more detail that can only enhance my already delightful experience with my iPhone. Edward anb Bob have done a top-rate job of providing easy to understand content. The illustrations are perfectly complementary to the text. Page Layouts are extemely well thought out and executed.Font selection makes this book both easy to read and a feast for the eye. Cartoons by Rich Tennant are hillarious. And now you know why I fell in love with this wonderful book. Go no further. Put it in your cart. You will not regret the decision...ever.