My iPhone: A Comprehensive Resource Guide
by Bill French on 16/10/09 at 2:59 pm
Bill French is an information architect specializing in Internet applications. He is also the co-founder of MyST Technology Partners and Senior Editor for iPhoneCTO.
One of the best things about iPhone (and all things Mac for that matter) is the general feeling that you don’t need no stinking manuals. The iPhone 3Gs manual is 28 pages of fine print and half the size of my watch’s user guide; I doubt anyone has actually read either. Yet, iPhone is an amazingly complex and powerful device capable of performing communications and computing stunts on par with Cirque du Soleil. Like a trip to Cirque, you don’t need a user guide – its a visually stimulating and satisfying experience.
That said, what would possess anyone to write a comprehensive guide for iPhone? I won’t attempt to speak for the author, but I have a few comments that will make it obvious why this book exists.
For the record, iPhoneCTO has never done a book review that I’m aware of, but it seems like it’s a good idea – after all, there are people that learn better from reading instructions rather than blindly taking stabs at logical next steps with this game-changing device. My iPhone (by Brad Miser, Que, 3rd edition) is not a book for power-users and certainly not recommended for geeks and early adopter types. It is intended for ordinary people who occasionally need some hand-holding and guidance on the extensive functionality of iPhone. I will use this as a reference guide, while other iPhone users might find it as a tool worthy of a cover-to-cover read.
While we (at iPhoneCTO) try stay focused on enterprise and business-related subjects, iPhone is popping up more frequently in the hands of regular people and being used in common business roles where the simplest features are often the most important and in use cases where high productivity is critical. As such, this book is not only relevant in the face of wider business adoption of iPhone, but likely to provide IT organizations and training departments with some relief in the corporate support channel.
When I first cracked open My iPhone, it struck me that the illustrations and point-by-point guidance is as well-designed as the iPhone itself. The illustrations and screens coupled with extensive call-out graphics are among the best I’ve ever seen. The author really took the time to create easy-to-understand explanations and guide-posts that take you step-by-step to successful configuration and use-case outcomes.
This book covers iPhone configuration, use, and application management from A-to-Z – not a single feature seems to be overlooked. There’s also a free online edition when you purchase and register the book – handy for quick search and reference while on the road with your iPhone of course.
This is a highly recommended piece of literature for iPhone support teams and people that just want to enjoy great experiences and get good results with their iPhone.
