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by Ted Landau
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Take Control of iPhone OS 3
Get the most out of your iPhone with Ted Landau's in-depth advice!
Let troubleshooting guru Ted Landau give you an in-depth understanding of your iPhone or iPod touch with Take Control of iPhone OS 3. This ebook takes you under the hood of the iPhone operating system and hardware and uncovers mysteries surrounding many topics, including backups, batteries, Bluetooth, buying third-party apps, damage control, jailbreaking, Location Services, MobileMe, networking, passwords, problem-solving, recovering, restoring, ringtones, root access, security, SIM cards, syncing, tethering, voice control, volume control, and more.
Author Ted Landau has decided not to update this ebook for iOS 4 and the iPhone 4. We are working on new Take Control ebooks about these topics, and we'll post links to them here soon.
- More Info
- Contents & Intro
- FAQ
- Blog
You'll discover how to navigate the many options in Settings so you're up and running quickly, and learn important techniques—such as searching and copying text—for using your iPhone effectively. You'll also get help with many specific iPhone questions, including these:
- How does my iPhone know where it is?
- How do I manage my network connections?
- How can I type faster so it's more fun to use?
- How do I transfer photos to and from my iPhone?
- How do the many volume control options function?
- How do I attach a Bluetooth headset?
- Can I delete a third-party app, but get it back later?
- How do I buy or make ringtones?
- What do I need to know before I travel abroad?
- How do I put an often-used Web page on my Home screen?
- How do I use iPhone tethering to connect my laptop to the Internet?
- How do I set up an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer Bluetooth network?
- How do I get started with syncing via Exchange?
- What are the pros and cons of jailbreaking?
- I'm a Unix geek. How to I get root access?
Plus, you'll find detailed troubleshooting techniques to use if you run into a problem, including:
- Safari problems
- Syncing problems
- Internet connection problems
- Freezes, crashes, and mysterious buggy behavior
- Restoring an ailing iPhone from a backup
- Determining if you need a hardware repair
- How to deal with passwords and security issues
Syncing: For a different approach to learning about iPhone syncing, consider Take Control of Syncing Data in Leopard, which covers set up and explains how syncing works generally so you can understand what's happening and devise a solution. Take Control of iPhone OS 3 has plenty of details on syncing with the iPhone, but fewer big-picture explanations of how Leopard orchestrates syncing.
Book Info
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About the Author
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Book Reviews
Reviews of Previous Editions
Author Interviews
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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 FirstThis 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 OS software and hardware. It focuses on the various options in Settings, as well as on explaining related aspects of apps such as Safari, Maps, and iTunes. 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 touch-specific details. This book was written by Ted Landau and edited by Dan Frakes, with assistance from Tonya Engst. |
Introduction
Welcome to Take Control of iPhone OS 3. While the title is new, this is the third edition of a book that was previously titled Take Control of Your iPhone.
Why the change? Because, as the iPhone continues to mature and the wealth of information related to the iPhone continues to expand, it was no longer possible to include all the topics from the previous editions in one Take Control book. So we decided to split the content into two books. In the future, we may need three or more books.
For now, Take Control of iPhone OS 3 is mainly about the iPhone OS itself, how it works—and how it sometimes doesn’t work—in more depth than you’ll find in any other end-user iPhone book. I focus on working effectively, avoiding problems, and fixing things when they go wrong. The book also covers all the major new features in iPhone OS 3 (currently at version 3.1) and the iPhone 3GS, from Spotlight to Voice Control. It also covers information about the iPhone and its software that is not app specific, such as syncing, networking, security, using the keyboard, and general troubleshooting. In some cases, the book mentions app-specific features that directly relate to these more general topics. For example, it covers syncing iPod content and pushing Mail messages from MobileMe.
For details on how the preinstalled iPhone apps work, including tips and hints and hidden features, get the companion volume, Take Control of Your iPhone Apps.
Even as a guide to iPhone OS features, Take Control of iPhone OS 3 is not intended as a novice’s introduction to the iPhone. However, if you are at least comfortable using your iPhone to make phone calls and surf the Web, you already know the basics, and you’re ready for this book. Otherwise, start with Apple’s free iPhone User’s Guide.
Unless otherwise specified, this book assumes that you are using an iPhone 3G or 3GS running iPhone OS 3. Where there are new features in an OS update (such as what’s new in version 3.1 as compared to 3.0), I note them. Where there are differences between the iPhone 3G and 3GS in terms of how the hardware relates to topics covered here (such as Voice Control and video in Camera), I note these, as well.
If you have an original iPhone, don’t worry—most of the book applies to this model, as well. The exceptions are a few features that are unavailable in the original iPhone (such as GPS), because of missing hardware present in later models.
Although I emphasize the iPhone, I do point out noteworthy differences between the iPhone and the iPod touch. In fact, because I don’t spend much time covering iPhone-specific apps, such as Phone or Messages, most of the book applies equally well to the iPhone or iPod touch. The main exceptions are coverage of iPhone-only data services. If you own an iPod touch, you can just skip over those sections.
Tip: For a full comparison of iPhone OS 3 differences among all three iPhone models, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3630. For the iPod touch, seehttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT3648.
This book assumes you are using iTunes 9.0 or later.
Given the Macintosh focus for the Take Control series and the self-imposed limits on the book’s page count, I don’t discuss Windows.
My enthusiasm for the iPhone grows with each new update. I rank the iPhone as my favorite technological device of the still young twenty-first century. I hope to share this excitement in the pages ahead.
More Tips and Hints Online: There are an assortment of tips that, while they didn’t find a place in this book, were too important to leave out altogether. They primarily cover additional topics such as activating an iPhone, accessing voicemail and other Phone features, the new Messages app, sending and receiving email, and opening email attachments. To see these tips, check the online FAQ for this book.
iPhone OS Quick Start
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 if you Use MobileMe, and you can 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. Also find out how to Reinstall Deleted Apps.
- Discover the new way to arrange your iPhone’s Home screen from iTunes on your Mac in Manage Apps in iTunes.
- If you’re having problems with an App Store app, check out The App FAQ.
- Read Jailbreaking: What, Why, and How to find out how to obtain software not in the App Store and if you should even bother.
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.
- Discover how to Solve Safari Problems, such as Web pages that refuse to load or load unusually slowly, as well as keep your surfing free from phishing and other security risks.
- 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.
- Learn how to Join Wi-Fi Hotspots with a minimum of hassle.
- To keep network communications secure, see Use a VPN.
- Explore how to Use Bluetooth on your iPhone, from headsets to Internet tethering.
Work smarter:
- Get typing help to Type More Accurately and. Or Use Voice Control instead of typing.
- Learn how to Use Cut, Copy, and Paste and how to Shake to Undo. (These features are new in iPhone OS 3.)
- Use Spotlight Search to find items on your iPhone or launch apps.
- To squeeze the most power from the battery, check out Manage the Battery.
- Take control of the various options for adjusting volume; see Volume Problems?.
- Worried that your iPhone may get lost or stolen? Learn how to Lock Your iPhone and Handle Other Passwords.
- Was your iPhone lost or stolen? Check out Find My iPhone.
Is this book updated for the iPhone 3GS or the iPhone 3 operating system?
Yes! In fact, it covers the iPhone OS through version 3.1.2. And, since it was released in November of 2009, it also covers a few changes that came up with the release of iTunes 9. It even has a tweak for iTunes 9.0.2. It does not cover iOS 4 and at this time (June 2010), we aren't sure of our plans for a new edition.
Does this ebook cover the iPod touch?
Yes—although the text of the book refers generally to the iPhone, it is meant to include the iPod touch. We even had someone who uses an iPod touch take a special tech edit pass through the entire manuscript.
Does this ebook cover the iPad?
Although quite a bit of the information in this ebook applies to the iPad, Ted didn't write this ebook with the iPad in mind, since the iPad was not yet announced. For iPad information, see the free Take Control of iPad Basics as well as various other Take Control titles about the iPad.
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 that you are in the United States (it does have advice for what to do if you are traveling abroad from the United States). So, a tiny bit of the advice won't apply if you are elsewhere on the planet.
Can I read this ebook on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch?
There are lots of great ways to read PDFs on these devices. For more details, please read our latest Device Advice.
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!
Update Plans
Author Ted Landau has decided not to update this ebook for iOS 4 and the iPhone 4. We are working on new Take Control ebooks about these topics, and we'll post links to them here soon.
—Tonya Engst
YouTube Debuts New Mobile Site as an Alternative to App
July 8, 2010 --
YouTube has introduced a mobile version of its site at m.youtube.com. According to YouTube, the mobile version's features are more in alignment with the full Web site's features and the mobile site does not use Flash, so all the videos should play on the iPhone and iPod touch. If you decide to try the site, note that once a video is playing, you can access the playback controls by tapping the playing video. Once you've done this, the video plays in an app-like interface, complete with playback controls. Rotate the device to the landscape (horizontal) position to view the largest image.
The mobile version may have more to do clashing titans of the tech industry (YouTube's parent company is Google) than with user's needs, but it certainly offers another option for viewing YouTube videos.
If you like the mobile site and want to view it quickly from your Home screen, you can make a "Web clip" of the site: Go to the site in Safari, tap the plus (+) button on the toolbar, and then Tap Add to Home Screen. Then, name the clip and tap the Add button. Your device will switch to the Home screen and show an icon for the clip you created. Tap the icon to quickly return to the mobile YouTube site.
If you'd like to read more about the mobile YouTube site, here are two good resources:
Google Makes the iPhone YouTube App Obsolete (New York Times Bits blog)
The site is currently in English only, but localized versions are expected.
—Tonya Engst
New MobileMe Mail Adds Server-side Rules, Archiving, and More
June 22, 2010 --
The new version of MobileMe Mail is out of beta, so whether you read your email on the MobileMe Web site or you have a MobileMe-based email account, you'll have a smoother email experience if you review the new options and consider how they may affect the way you handle your email. I explain why the new version of MobileMe is interesting, run through the major new features, and offer helpful tips for using the new version in the TidBITS article MobileMe Mail Adds Server-side Rules, SSL, and More.
—Tonya Engst
Find My iPhone Service Becomes an App
June 21, 2010 --
Late last week, Apple released a Find My iPhone app, which, despite its name, helps you find a missing iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can still log in to the MobileMe Web site in any Web browser to access Find My iPhone features, but if you'd prefer to use an app on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, well, now you can. Glenn Fleishman has written a full description of how the new app works, complete with many screenshots, in TidBITS. Please see Find My iPhone App Enables Mobile Device Discovery.
Apple also updated several aspects of the me.com Web site, including a few tweaks to the Find My iPhone Web app. The overall look-and-feel of the Web app and the mobile app is the same.
—Tonya Engst
iOS 4 Available For Download
June 21, 2010 --
After much anticipation, Apple has released iOS 4, a free update for the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3GS, and the second and third generations of the iPod touch. The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system includes new "folders" for organizing apps, a unified inbox in Mail, and support for the iBooks ebook-reading app. Additionally, multitasking capabilities and external keyboard support are now available for newer devices (the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation iPod touch). To learn more, check out Glenn Fleishman's TidBITS article, iOS 4 Available for Download (scroll down to the comments section to find real-world data on how long it takes to run the update). Be aware that running iOS 4 on the iPhone 3 (but not 3GS) reportedly causes a slowdown in the phone's overall performance, so be sure the new features are worth a speed decrease before you install it.
—Doug McLean
Apple Unveils MobileMe Mail Beta
June 11, 2010 --
Apple recently announced the beta of an update to its Web-based mail service, MobileMe Mail. The beta offers widescreen and compact views, single-click archiving, a message-formatting toolbar, increased security via SSL, server-based rules, and overall enhanced performance. The beta is open to all MobileMe users, and you can switch back to the previous version at any time. To sign up, log in to MobileMe Mail and click the link to request an invitation in the lower left of the page.
—Tonya Engst
iPhone 4 and iOS 4 Announcements
June 8, 2010 --
Yesterday's Apple Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, given by Steve Jobs, revealed important software- and hardware-related details for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, plus dates for when you'll be able to download the new operating system version and buy a new iPhone.
—Tonya Engst
iBooks Coming to the iPhone and iPod touch
June 8, 2010 --
During his keynote speech at yesterday's Apple Worldwide Developer conference, Steve Jobs discussed the upcoming version of iBooks, Apple's ebook-reading app. When the new version of iBooks ships later this month, we'll be able to enjoy these new features:
Multi-device support: The new version of iBooks will run not only on the iPad, but also on any iOS 4 device. (I'm not certain if it will run on an iPhone or iPod touch under iPhone OS 3.)
Sync: If you have iBooks running on multiple devices set to use the same account, you can wirelessly sync ebooks, bookmarks, notes, and current reading position across all devices. There is no charge for iBooks syncing. (This is similar to the Kindle's Whispersync service, which works among Kindles and various Apple devices.)
PDF support: Steve showed PDFs being loaded into iBooks through iTunes, and he noted that an option in the Mail app will let you save attached PDFs into iBooks. However, he did not clarify whether (or when) PDFs will be offered in the iBookstore. He did say that better PDF reading was "one of the biggest requests we've gotten for the iPad." PDFs wil show on a separate shelf, accessed through a button at the top of the iBooks screen.
Many publishers, including TidBITS, are excited about this change, because the PDF format allows us to retain "page fidelity." Page fidelity means that we can retain the layout we created in the ebook. Page fidelity works well for anything that has a lot of graphics or tables—cookbooks, technical books, children's books, text books, and so forth. EPUB is best for books that have a simple layout with only a few graphics or with graphics that can sit nicely on a line by themselves.
Notes: You'll be able to afix virtual notes to pages in your ebooks, much like attaching a sticky note to a real-life sheet of paper.
Fast bookmarking: You'll be able to tap in the upper right of the iBooks screen to bookmark a page. Also, there appears to be a few new options for working more efficiently with bookmarks and a table of contents.
—Tonya Engst
AT&T Changes Its Data Plans; Enables Tethering
June 4, 2010 --
As of June 7, AT&T will offer new data plans for iPhones (as well as for all their other smartphones) and the iPad. Here's all you need to know about the new plans, plus some thoughts on Internet tethering options in iPhone OS 4.
—Ted Landau
More Thoughts on Film-Protecting Your Screen
March 18, 2010 --
In Take Control of iPhone OS 3, and in previous editions, Ted discusses third-party protective films that you can install on an iPhone or iPod touch screen. These films reduce smudging from greasy fingers, prevent some scratches, and sometimes have glare-reduction properties. For the iPhone 3GS (the model introduced 2009), which has an oil-resistant screen, the film is less useful, since fingerprints are less of an issue.
Recently, Apple announced that it plans to stop carrying such films in the Apple Stores. This caused Ted to analyze why Apple might have done so and to share his latest opinion on the films, which you can find in his essay, Apple's so-called "ban" on protective films.
If you considering installing a film, note this bit from Ted's essay: "These products are notoriously difficult to 'install.' Frequently, you wind up with air bubbles or dust specks under the film.... Added to this is that the 'oleophobic' coating on Apple’s latest products make such films less needed (although not entirely without value). It’s a toss-up. Personally, I no longer use these films. But I know others who swear by them."
You may also enjoy reading the iLounge news article linked from Ted's essay and its associated responses to common reader comments.
—Tonya Engst
Apple Enhances me.com for the iPhone and iPod touch
February 20, 2010 --
If you log in to www.me.com from the Safari app on your iPhone or iPod touch, you'll find that Apple now provides more options. Most notably, you can access Find My iPhone, making it possible to hunt for your missing device from a friend's or colleague's iPhone or iPod touch instead of from a regular computer. You can also now set up Mail, Contacts, and Calendars, and tap buttons for installing the iDisk and Gallery apps. For a few more details and screenshots, see the TidBITS article, MobileMe Site Adds Some Mobile Safari Support.
Ted Landau, author of Take Control of iPhone OS 3 put this new functionality to use right away—see his blog post, New Find My iPhone from an iPhone Saves Day, for how various aspects of Find My iPhone elegantly solved a frustrating problem.
—Tonya Engst
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
Check Out the Online FAQ
November 13, 2009 --
New tips, hints, fixes, secrets, and assorted other information about the iPhone never stop coming. That's why it's not surprising that, even in the relatively short time between when Take Control of iPhone OS 3 was finalized and when it was published, I learned several things that I would have included in the book, had I known about them in time.
Not to worry. I've made these items available to you. You can read about them in the Online FAQ for the book.
—Ted Landau
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
iPhone and iPod touch Thoroughly Explained by Two New Ebooks
November 12, 2009 --
For anyone who is perplexed by their iPhone or iPod touch, or who feels that they'd get more out of it if they understood it better, two new Take Control ebooks are now available and ready to help.
Much as we wanted to release these ebooks shortly after Apple released iPhone OS 3 and the iPhone 3GS in June 2009, it took time to give these ebooks the depth and polish that we require. Luckily, during that time, Apple updated the iPhone OS several times, plus Snow Leopard and iTunes 9, so we were able to incorporate those changes as we worked. And so we are extremely pleased to announce the release of two very up-to-date ebooks: Jeff Carlson's Take Control of Your iPhone Apps and Ted Landau's Take Control of iPhone OS 3.
You can buy either ebook separately or purchase them together in a discounted bundle:
Take Control of Your iPhone Apps, by TidBITS Managing Editor Jeff Carlson, teaches you iPhone app basics and offers numerous clever tips based on Jeff's real-world experiences with using the iPhone for work, photography, and fun since its initial release. Apps that Jeff covers with the eye of a professional tech writer include Calendar, Camera, Compass, Contacts, iPod, Mail, Maps, Messages, Phone, Photos, Remote, and Safari (and, for iPod touch owners, the Music and Video apps). He also provides pointers to independent apps that further expand the iPhone's capabilities. This is Jeff's first Take Control ebook, though he has written numerous books for Peachpit Press; contributes regularly to TidBITS, Macworld, and the Seattle Times; and has even edited various Take Control titles. We are pleased to have him on board as an official Take Control author, and we have particularly enjoyed his clear, concise text and illustrative screenshots. The 122-page ebook costs $10.
Take Control of iPhone OS 3, by troubleshooting guru Ted Landau, helps you deepen your iPhone and iPod touch knowledge by exploring the operating system and hardware. Ted takes you under the hood to clear up mysteries about many topics including backups, batteries, Bluetooth, buying and managing third-party apps, damage control, jailbreaking, Location Services, MobileMe, networking, passwords, ringtones, root access, security, SIM cards, syncing, tethering, voice control, and volume control, among much else. And, if you run into trouble, you'll find a cornucopia of advice on handling freezes, crashes, and buggy behavior, as well as on solving problems with Safari, syncing, and your network connection. Ted also discusses how to determine if a recalcitrant iPhone might need a hardware repair. The 202-page ebook costs $15.
If you already own Ted's previous Take Control ebook about the iPhone - Take Control of Your iPhone - note that this is effectively the third edition of that ebook. You should have already received an email message with update information; if not, if you bought the second edition after May 1, 2009, get in touch with us. Otherwise, open your PDF of that ebook and - on page 1 - click the Check for Updates button.
If you would like to purchase both ebooks, you can do so at a discount; look on the left side of either of the book pages linked above for a 20% discount on both, or a 30% discount if you want additional ebooks that cover related topics.
—Tonya Engst
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