Customer Reviews

iPhone 3GS Portable Genius: Also covers iPhone 3G

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Out of the box, the iPhone is a wonderful device, with simplicity being one of its greatest strengths. But under the hood, there are incredibly powerful features that can make you really productive - this book is required reading to get the most out of your new iPhone 3G. In addition to plenty of information on the basics of use, it's loaded with information on the not so obvious, or hidden, features. For example it provides info on special gestures in Safari to make navigation easier, or that Safari can also do RSS feeds. Every other major application is covered as well with many tips to help you get the most from them, such as creating ringtones with GarageBand, customizing your Mail inbox, to using MobileMe. This a very well done and thorough treatment of all things iPhone, and despite being a technical person who uses a Mac everyday, it helped me discover plenty to get the most from my iPhone!

With the release of the latest iPhone offering being only a few weeks ago there are bound to be questions about such a sophisticated device. The iPhone 3G Portable Genius was the answer, with the easy-to-understand tips and tricks, while not being so simple to miss information.

I have owned an iPhone since June 2007 and was still finding abilities of the phone. Now that I have read through this book it has opened my eyes to many aspects of the phone I didn't know existed.

For instance, I know it syncs to computers, but didn't know you can micro-manage this process and even sync up your iCal calendar. Since I found this out I have been more productive while mobile, so for that one tip the book was well worth it.

That being said, this book isn't just some couple page tip sheet. Each tip or concept is explained in depth and with various examples. You will even find notes of warning and concern, like the fact that an ignored call going straight to voicemail alerts the other party you bailed on them.

Whether you recently purchased an iPhone 3G (which I recommend) or still have an original iPhone, this book is for you. You'd think the 3G would be so much more feature-packed, but Apple allows you to update an original iPhone to the 2.0 software that the 3G ships with.

I am certain this book will introduce you to a ton of new features contained within many "secret" and buried screens on your iPhone.

The iPhone 3G Portable Genius is an excellent guide to maximizing the capabilities of the iPhone. The material is presented in an intuitive, and logical, fashion and the directions are easy to follow. I learned more in two hours with the iPhone 3G Portable Genius than I had absorbed over a period of several months.

If you own either version of the iPhone and are interested in making the most of it for your particular needs, you will find the Portable Genius extremely helpful. The screen shots which are included in every chapter are thoughtfully designed and easily comprehended learning tools. Paul McFedries and David Pabian have created a comprehensive and functional guide which I will keep close at hand and share with friends and family.

I consider myself pretty tech suave and have been watching the iPhone 3g from when it just started as a rumor until I had one of my own. Being one to keep an eye on the cellphone market, I believe that the iPhone 3G blows away all other hand-helds available right now.

The reason the iPhone 3G (and the original iPhone) is so ahead of the competition is because of the Cocoa Mobile developing platform Apple has created. The interface on the phone is so intuitive that everything just makes sense and it is done in a way that is less hassle than Windows Mobile, PalmOS, etc.

With that being said there are a lot of features that both the common consumer and the tech-head will miss in the iPhone's software. Anyone who is looking to really explore the full features of the iPhone and iPhone 3G should pick up iPhone 3G Portable Genius. After reading it I find myself having to explain new shortcuts and gestures to my friends and find my own experience more knowledgeable and complete.

Part of the reason I enjoy this book is because it really goes into why the software behaves like it does and has accompanying screen shots for all its sections. On top of that, don't-miss tips are highlighted in their own bubbles so they don't get lost in the main body text. Combine that with a good chapter layout and Portable Genius becomes a great reference manual to have on hand.

I am a self-confessed Apple lover and part-time geek. Living in the UK, I was one of the first Brits to get by grubby paws on the original iPhone - a mere 3 days after it went on sale in the US. Of course, I had to upgrade it to a 16GB version when that was released, and again when the iPhone 3G came out. In short, I think the iPhone is a mighty fine phone indeed.

As an architecture, the iPhone is particularly clever - you can update it when Apple release updates, which means that your phone might have more functionality in the evening than it did in the morning - how many phones do that for you? The downside of this is that the iPhone changes constantly, and while some of the upgraded things are announced loudly, it takes a lot of dedication to become a full-on power user of the iPhone.

One way of doing that is to go to the Apple store and listen to their seminars, but frankly, I don't really fancy travelling across town to get to the apple store: I've got better things to do with my evenings - and for those living outside London, it's not really an option. Which is why McFedries and Pabian's iPhone 3G Portale Genius book is such an amazing find. Here, you get all the inside information from people who really know what they are talking about, because they've used the phone as power-users, researched all its functionality, and manage to impart the knowledge in a rather clever way, too.

Using simple step-by-step instructions, lots of insight, and an easy-to-read writing style, this book is a fabulous find.

True geeks won't need it, of course, but despite being one of those, I have to confess I learned quite a few new tricks from it - and if I manage to talk my mom into buying an iPhone, then this book will be her welcoming present into the iPhone universe... If only to stop her from asking me all the mundane questions :)

I thought I knew everythign about my iphone. I am the type to figure out and not read directions. There are a lot of tips and tricks in here that you cant possibly figure out on your own. I now love my iPhone evern more.

What I like most about this little book is that it gives me the facts I need to get productive FAST!!!! It's innovative layout and folksy tone make it that much easier to cut to the chase. I can't afford the time or money to shell out for a lot of these technical books, but this one WAS REALLY WORTH IT IN TIME AND MONEY!!! GREAT BOOK, GUYS!! (FYI There are some nice skins and covers for the iPhone, but the one I've liked the best is the iPhone Invisible Shield by Zagg. It's industrial strength plastic really protects the back and front from scratches.)

My husband and I generally don't look for the same things in a technical manual. He's a programmer by trade and can handle complexity. I want my instructions simple.

When we both got iPhones, I figured there would be two manuals in the house. Big surprise, we both agreed on this one as being the best. There are enough insider tips and advanced techniques for my husband, plus, it's got plenty of colorful illustrations and simple to understand language for me.

The index makes it simple to find what you're looking for. The tips are useful. Plus, the manual is lightweight and easy to put in a bookbag if you need to take it with you.

Rebecca Kyle, November 2008

The iPhone is really a very portable computer that includes a telephone. This book, along with one other book, makes learning to use the features of the iPhone a realistic process! This book allows you to explore the potential complexities of this marvelous device at a pace that you choose. Filled with great tips, this a a very helpful guide. I have bought additional copies for family members that own the iPhone, and they all have found this guide very useful.

A friend of mine told me that when she first bought her IPhone that this book was very informative and helpful. So, when I purchased my IPhone I followed her suggestion. She was correct. The book is easy to read, easy to find answers and gives step by step instructions how to use the phone and its' various apps.