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 at http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iPhone_User_Guide.pdf.

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.

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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, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3648.

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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 at http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/resources/0055/more-faqs.html or especially click here if you are reading in Snow Leopard's Preview. Long URLs in this PDF clicked from Preview may not work, though they should if you click in the last few characters.