Let's say you have an idea for a killer iPhone app. Where do you begin? Head First iPhone Development will help you get your first application up and running in no time. You'll quickly learn to use iPhone SDK tools, including Interface Builder and Xcode, and master Objective-C programming principles that will make your app stand out. It's a complete learning experience for creating eye-catching, top-selling iPhone applications.

• Put Objective-C core concepts to work, including message passing, protocols, properties, and memory management

• Take advantage of iPhone patterns such as datasources and delegates

• Preview your applications in the iPhone Simulator

• Build complicated interactions that utilize multiple views, data entry/editing, and iPhone rotation

• Work with iPhone's camera, GPS, and accelerometer

• Create interactive, entertaining games

• Optimize, test, and distribute your application

We think your time is too valuable to waste struggling with new concepts. Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First iPhone Development provides a visually-rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 11 Ratings

Don't let this book fool you, it uses advanced technology to teach you. - 2010-01-05
Reviewer Rating:
Just as there are "Human Interface" concepts and techniques in wide use today, so it goes with the need for "Information Interface." Unfortunately, here in the Information Age, Information Interface just doesn't get the love and respect that it requires. It all comes at you in a big unordered tsunami and it's up to you to find your way through it. That's why I'm particularly keen on the Head First series of books, which takes Information Interface very seriously, in spite of first appearances. Believe me, this is not in any way a book for "dummies." Since Information Interface has been my field of study for the past 20 years, AND I'm an iPhone developer as well, I think that the Head First series is one of the most amazing things to ever come along! And it's a double bonus that there's one introducing iPhone development.

It's critically important that anyone pursuing iPhone development approach it in an orderly fashion, and this is why I agree with the other reviewers that Beginning iPhone 3 Development, along with Head First iPhone Development are the two most important must-have books which any new iPhone developer needs to use. It's my opinion, though, that YOU should decide based on your previous experience whether Head First iPhone Development is the first or the second book you'll go through cover to cover to learn iPhone development in the most quick and efficient way possible. I feel everyone should go through both books cover to cover at a minimum. The authors of Beginning iPhone 3 Development are no slouches either, and have paid incredible attention to your learning experience, albeit in a more traditional fashion.

Both books DO make sure you learn the things you need to know in an orderly fashion. However, Head First iPhone Development is excellent at making you think and making what you learn stick more deeply. It doesn't always hold your hand and helps you learn to fly on your own in gentle ways. It even cleverly avoids telling you some things which will make you wonder, and then later it almost always addresses what you were wondering about. The result is that you'll undoubtedly "love it" and not really know why, just as you love the Mac and iPhone. It all has to do with the fact that we're human beings, psychological creatures, and not machines.

As with ANY programming tutorial, you MUST FIRST go to the book's website and mark up your book with corrections before you even start on page one to avoid spinning your wheels and experiencing unnecessary frustration. It's also a great way to take a quick reconnaissance flight through the whole book as you correct any errors from its "errata" - a tradeoff of all printed material. Just do it and skip complaining about the errors.

As a co-administrator of an online iPhone development forum, I have answered a bazillion questions, and 90% are the result of not approaching your learning curve in an orderly fashion. Books are still the most efficient way for an individual to study. Having the hundreds of videos available to you are also important, but nothing can match an orderly self-paced introduction which delivers instant gratification all along the way that will keep you interested and encouraged, until you finally "get it" and can move ahead on your own. Head First iPhone Development is this developer's favorite programming book of all time, and finally, here in the second decade of the 21st century, "Information Interface" is finally getting some attention. There's far more to do than we realize when we decide to go for writing iPhone apps, and this is a critical piece in your "path of least resistance."

Excellent, fun book to read, buuuuuut.... - 2009-12-16
Reviewer Rating:
... there is a stupefying number of spelling errors. C'mon, Curt... Spelling errors? Big deal. Problem is, though, that this is a programming book, and a lot of the errors are in the code. Some of the errors are incorrect indicators on which file needs to be edited.

Honestly, this is the best book I've ever read for programming, but I get the impression that it was really rushed, and not proofread quite enough. Attention to detail is the hallmark of good programming practice, and the "fun, conversational style" of the book is no excuse.

That being said, if you want to learn iPhone development, get this book; it is worth it.

Another Great Head First Title - 2010-01-07
Reviewer Rating:
This Head First book is written by the husband wife team who wrote Head First Algebra, my favorite Head First Book. They do an excellent job of introducing one to programming the iPhone. The Head First metaphor uses many visual cues to reinforce learning, and is full of examples and stories for further reinforcement. It works particularly well for those who are visual learners.

The book starts with a general introduction to programming devices with minimal screen real estate such as the iPhone and proceeds all the way to how to get your app into the iPhone App Store. It is written for anyone who might be interested in programming the iPhone, but will be tough sledding for those who don't have some background in a programming language. It is probably the easiest book to follow for those who are interested in creating iPhone apps, but it will still require concentrated effort, particularly if Objective C is a new language.

A word of warning (re Apple's SDK, not about the book). There is no easy way to program apps for the iPhone without using a Mac. Windows and Linux users need not apply. So unless you have a Mac, or plan to get a Mac, don't plan on creating iPhone apps. Sorry.

Still should know Objective-C - 2009-12-31
Reviewer Rating:
This is a great read and I've been doing the exercises in the lesson's also.

This is a very good overview of the iPhone development experience.

Everything seems to be covered (except for core Objective-C language basics).

The documents from Apple on Objective-C are great and the book does remind you to use the references that Apple provides.

Overall it is a GREAT primer for iPhone development.

It is also dirt cheap.

I've been running this against the 3.1 sdk and it is very accurate.

very good book!

Good beginning book - 2009-12-10
Reviewer Rating:
this is a good book if you are starting out. It takes it's time to get you up to speed with the basics.

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