Customer Reviews

Taking Your iPod touch to the Max (Technology in Action)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to agree with the first reviewer. This book is only useful for someone who absolutely knows nothing about the iPod, iTunes, and portable digital music hardware and software. I was expecting a lot more from Erica Sudan. She has written good books and articles about hacking software and hardware, and I thought the "max" part of this book would get readers beyond the "ipod for dummies" information. Nothing wrong with "dummies" books, but I just expected lots more in this one. She barely devotes a chapter to jailbreaking the iPod touch, which she has written about on other websites. I like Sudan and I thank her for the writing she does, but I would suggest Scott Kelby's book on the iPod/iPod touch or another book titled, iPod: The Missing Manual. Those two books are much better laid and approachable for iPod newbies.

If I wanted another manual for my iPod, I would have downloaded it. This book is primarily an "iPod touch for dummies". The "secret, undocumented features" are either published by Apple or easily discoverable. The last chapter on jailbreaking & hacking is inferior to even the briefest google search.

Save your money and time. I returned mine the day after it arrived.

This is a great book for getting the most out of your Apple Itouch. Explains in detail how each aspect of Itouch works and explains it in simple easy to understand english. For anyone who really wishes to use their Itouch to the max I would really recommemd it.

Much of the material in the book is available on the internet for free in the book's manual. There is no advantage gained by spending money on this book. Even if the book had some use earlier, the edition I bought is grossly out of date with the iPod Touch 3G.

Unlike other books on the iPod,this one clearly focuses on the iPod Touch - and it's unique features. The book is well-written, clear, and informative. Some of the other reviews characterize this as a "Dummies" book, but it avoids the sophomoric humor and goes deeper than most of these books - although some of the book's depth is limited and given as well-selected links to further information on the web. If you want well-rounded coverage of the iPod written for the average user, this book would be a good choice.
If the book really went to the Max and approached the limits of the iPod - with or without jailbreaking - the book would be a 5 star.

I found this very helpful for my first attempt at and iPod. It essentially told me everything I needed to know. I would highly recommend it. Anyone who buys an iPod knows that basically nothing comes with it for directions. Of course you can download from the web their 'directions', but it is not great...in my opinion of course.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who can't just figure it all out by themselves.

Not useful, No insights beyond the basic manual available from Apple itself for free.

I'm happy that I purchased this book, in spite of some of the negative reviews. It is an excellent easy to understand reference for the touch. Especially those like me who are new to iPod. It provides what Apple sadly does not.

First, I do not own an iPod Touch. I have a Classic iPod with video. I was interested in reviewing this book because I wanted to know more about the iPod Touch and if it is really worth the money. Having read through several chapters, I am now planning to buy myself an iPod Touch, although I may wait a little while to see what the next generation is going to be.
Here is what I found out using this book. Apparently, those who bought the iPod Touch early on had to pay $20 for a software upgrade that enables features which provide Mail, Google Maps, Weather, Stocks, and Notes. All newer models come with that upgrade now.
The iPod Touch is almost like having an iPhone but without the phone and the $60 a month fee. It uses Wi-Fi, so you are able to do a lot of things online such as checking stock prices, browsing news, looking at YouTube videos and so on. It has a QWERTY keyboard which allows you to type notes or email. Videos can be watched in widescreen just as on the iPhone by turning the iPod Touch horizontally. Instant Messaging is possible using the iPod Touch, but iChat is not included. That is really what I am waiting for. I figure the time to buy one is when I can do a voice or video chat with my iPod Touch. Then who would need an iPhone? Of course, the difference is an iPhone can be used anywhere and the iPod Touch needs Wi-Fi, which is not everywhere--yet. Also, not everyone uses iChat, but a lot of people I know do.
If you own an iPod Touch, then this book will teach you how to set up your email, use Safari web browser with it, check for traffic conditions, weather forecasts, and buy music from the iTunes Store while using Wi-Fi. It also tells how the iPod Touch operates by the touch screen and using your fingers to perform different tasks.

I needed a book that would take me step by step through every keystroke for every feature. There are a couple of places where this is the case, but too often it said things like "you can do "such and such" and just leave it at that. I need to know HOW do you do "such and such"! The one thing I am really pining for is to be able to play games! A simple Klondike, or Twin Towers or Aces High... I can't believe that my beloved Apple would go to all this trouble and leave out a way for loyal septuagenarians to get games.