Category Archives: Cell Phones

iPhone Manual for Beginners vs. iPhone: the missing manual. Which book is better for your iPhone

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The two best-selling books on using your iPhone are the iPhone Manual for Beginners by Joe Malacina and iPhone: the missing manual by David Pogue. We are often asked which one of these books is the best? So we decided to give both books an evaluation and put together the following comparison review.

First, let me start out by explaining that both books do an excellent job at explaining how to use the many functions and abilities of the iPhone. However, they each utilize their own approach and style in delivering the information, and there are many other aspects to consider, such as price and additional features.

Which book is easier to read physically?

Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners

By this question, we mean which book best utilizes illustrations, font size, formatting, and style? Both books contain color illustrations throughout the text that demonstrate exactly how to perform certain tasks on your iPhone. The Missing Manual book has more illustrations than the iPhone Manual for Beginners, however the latter’s illustrations are larger and easier to comprehend. In addition, many have complained that the Index in the Missing Manual is jumbled and difficult to use, so we give the Index advantage to the iPhone Manual for Beginners. For readability, the iPhone Manual for Beginners is the clear winner here with large font and smooth spacing between paragraphs.

Which book contains more information?

Winner: iPhone: the missing manual

There is no doubt that iPhone: the missing manual has the edge when it comes to the amount of information contained in the text. The Missing Manual comes in at 720 pages with a size of 6″ x 9″! Conversely, the iPhone Manual for Beginners comes in at 144 pages with a book size of 8.5″ x 11″. If you are looking for a big box manual that contains every possible ounce of information, then the Missing Manual book may be right for you. On the other hand, the iPhone Manual for Beginners utilizes a different approach; it can be read in its entirety in one day, and teaches using a building blocks approach, which seems to be best for beginners who are trying to learn from the ground up. In summary, the iPhone: the missing manual contains much more information than the iPhone Manual for Beginners, however, that does not mean that it is a better book.

Which book is best for different iPhone skill levels?

Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners

This one is a no-brainer. At 720 pages, I do not expect a complete beginner, let alone an intermediate user of an iPhone to read the entire Missing Manual book. On the other hand, a complete beginner would find the iPhone Manual for Beginners very easy to read and complete. In my opinion, the book has a better flow of information and is structured so that beginner concepts you use in early chapters are utilized more fully in later chapters. In addition, as the book continues on, the author covers more intermediate and advanced functions of the iPhone. In summary, the iPhone Manual for Beginners is the better book for users of all skill levels, including beginners. The only exception would be if you are a highly experienced IT professional, then the Missing Manual book may be better for you.

Which book is cheaper?

Winner: iPhone: the missing manual

This was somewhat surprising given that the Missing Manual contains nearly 600 more pages than the iPhone Manual for Beginners. However, it should be noted that physical quality of the iPhone Manual for Beginners is slightly better than the Missing Manual with better colors and better binding. The cost of the Missing Manual seems to fluctuate almost daily, however it can usually be purchased for between $16.99 USD and $29.95 USD. The iPhone Manual for Beginners’s price is more steady, and can usually be purchased for between $19.95 USD and $24.95 USD.

Which book has better availability?

Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners (just slightly)

By availability, we mean which book is available in more places and will ship the quickest? This was a difficult question to answer definitively. The iPhone Manual for Beginners is available in most countries, including the United States, Canada, all of Europe, and Australia, and also ships from within these countries so delivery is quite fast. The Missing Manual is stocked by more bookstores in comparison, however we were not able to verify if the Missing Manual is locally available in more countries.

Which book is best? The iPhone Manual for Beginners or iPhone: the missing manual?

Overall Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners by Joe Malacina

Taking everything into consideration, the iPhone Manual for Beginners is a better book for most people when trying to learn how to use the iPhone. We prefer its style compared to the Missing Manual and also prefer its organization. The iPhone Manual for Beginners utilizes a step-by-step approach with illustrations for most functions, and also presents information in an easy-to-follow manner. In addition, the organization of the book is superb, with a clear and concise Table of Contents and an understandable Index. The only downside of the iPhone Manual for Beginners is its additional cost (by about $4-$6), however the additional cost seems to be worth it given its overall presentation of information. In conclusion, we would recommend the iPhone Manual for Beginners for iPhone users of all skill levels, including beginners and intermediate users.

Both books can ordered on Amazon and other websites:

Order iPhone Manual for Beginners on Amazon.

Order iPhone Manual for Beginners on Infinity Guides

Order iPhone: the missing manual on Amazon

-DummiesBlog.com Review Crew

Forgot Passcode on iPhone – What should I do?

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Credit Source: Apple, Inc (www.apple.com)

It’s one of the most common questions I receive, “I forgot my password and now I can’t get into my iPhone/iPad, what do I do?” Don’t worry, I will show you how to get back into your iPhone, but first, a couple caveats.

This is a terribly common issue among many iPhone users. Here is the typical scenario: you get your brand new iPhone and start setting it up and it asks you to set up a 4-6 digit passcode. You do so. Then it registers your fingerprint. Now days, possibly weeks go by where you never have to enter your passcode since your fingerprint has been unlocking your device, until that one day comes when your iPhone suddenly asks for your passcode. Why? Why do you need to enter your passcode when all this time you have been using your fingerprint? Since its been so long since you first created your passcode you have completely forgotten it and you’re stuck. Your iPhone refuses to let you inside to use your iPhone.

If you’ve read the iPhone Manual for Beginners you would have never gotten into this situation. But we’re past that now, so what do you do?

Here is how you get back into your iPhone and never run into this situation again. Please note, the process for getting back into your iPhone/iPad when you forget your passcode is tedious, and will delete all of the data on your iPhone if it is not backed up. So i HIGHLY recommend trying to remember your passcode if you can. Otherwise, follow these steps when you forget your passcode:

  1. In order to do this, you are going to have to completely erase your device. There is absolutely no way around this and it must be done for security purposes. So with that said, the first thing you are going to need is a computer or laptop.
  2. You must download the Apple iTunes software onto your computer and install it. For directions on downloading iTunes, visit https://www.applevideoguides.com/itunes-install.html
  3. Once iTunes is installed, open it on your computer. Then plug your iPhone into your computer using the USB cable.
  4. This step will differ depending upon which iPhone you have.
    1. If you have an iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus: Quickly press and release the volume up button. Then quickly press and release the volume down button. Then press and hold the power button until you see the iTunes symbol appear on your screen.
    2. If you have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time, and keep holding them until the iTunes symbol appears on your screen.
    3. For all other devices including older iPhones and all iPads, press and hold the home button and the power buttons together. Keep holding the buttons until you see the iTunes symbol appear on your screen.
  5. Now look at your computer with iTunes open. A prompt will appear in iTunes asking you whether you want to restore or update. Choose Restore
  6. Let your iPhone restore itself. This will take some time.
  7. When its finished, it will be like you have a brand new iPhone. Follow the setup instructions on your screen.

That’s the process! Now this time, make sure you write down your passcode somewhere safe so you never forget it. Better yet, check out the iPhone Manual for Beginners so this never happens again.

Learning your new iPhone – An iPhone Manual or Video Guide?

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How to learn your new iPhone

I often get asked what is the easiest way to learn how to use your iPhone.  My answer: it depends.  There are a lot of variables to consider.  Some people have never used a smartphone in their life.  Some people have never used an Apple product in their life.  Others are switching from a Samsung or Motorola smartphone.  I’ll break down my recommendations here so if any apply to you, you can evaluate the advice.

The iPhone is your first “smartphone”, and you have no idea what you are doing.

The first scenario is quite common, and finding help for these people can be tricky.  What do I mean by your first “smartphone”?  By smartphone I mean a phone that utilizes a touch screen for the majority of its features and that can browse the internet and download apps.  Older flip phones do not count.  So what are you to do in this scenario?  It depends on how you like to learn.  The two options I would recommend are either to get a book that teaches you how to use your iPhone, or watch a video course on how to use your iPhone.  I have found that many seniors prefer to go the book route, whereas many baby boomers seem to prefer the video.

If you want to learn via a book, I would recommend the iPhone Manual for Beginners.  The book is very successful at teaching people how to use their iPhone and contains detailed illustrations to help the learning process.  It also works as a great reference manual for when you need a quick review.

If you are looking to learn by watching a video, I would recommend How to Use the iPhone for Beginners.  The video is about 30 minutes and covers most of the important aspects of the iPhone.

You are switching from a Samsung or other smartphone to the iPhone.

If you fall in this category, learning to use your iPhone will be much easier.  The iPhone shares some similarities with other smartphones and you can pick up on these pretty quickly.  Most people in this category probably won’t need a book or a video guide.  You can most likely figure out the iPhone slowly over time.  However, if you feel the need for a quick course on the iPhone’s ins and outs, I would recommend the video guide How to use the iPhone for Beginners.

You just got an iPhone, but you have experience using an iPod or iPad.

Lastly, if you find yourself in this category there is no need to seek outside assistance in learning your device. Upon using your iPhone, you will quickly realize that the iPhone is almost identical to the iPad and iPod touch in terms of how it works.  So if you have used those devices in the past there will be very little adjustment needed.  If you think you still need some assistance with your iPhone, subscribe to my newsletter on the right.  I send out weekly emails with tips and tricks for using your iPhone, including my monthly recommended apps.

How to Use the iPhone 7

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The new Apple iPhone 7 is here, and the phones have been flying off the shelves at Apple Stores and retailers across the world.  We have everything you need to know about the new iPhone 7.

 

iOS 10

iOS 10 is simply awesome.  Our favorite feature is everything you can do from inside the Messages app.  iOs 10 has added many additional features to messaging on an iPhone or iPad.  One of our favorites is the new preview that appears within a message when you paste a link.  try it out for yourself.  Sending a link in a message will automatically populate a small preview of the link along with a short description.

The new sending effects for messages is pretty cool too. Just hold down on the send icon to see all the new sending features.  You can now send text messaged with special effects such as fireworks and lasers.

The New Home Button or lack thereof

Here is something that might take getting a little used to.  The new iPhone 7 doesn’t have a home “button.”  Let me clarify, the iPhone 7 has what looks like a home button but it does not actually depress like a button should.  Instead, when you press it you will get vibrational feedback from iPhone 7 that feels like you’ve pressed a button.  It seems Apple did this to shore up some room inside the phone.

Still No Manual with the iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus do not come with an instructional manual, but there are still plenty of resources available to you to learn how to use your new iPhone.  We recommend checking out Apple Video Guides.  As always, they have a new guide out that covers everything about the iPhone 7 to help get you started.