iPhone Fully Loaded

by Diane Petersen, Kachemacs

Author: Andy Ihnatko
Publisher: Wiley
Publisher URL: www.wiley.com
List Price: $19.99

Pros: Small yet chock full of information, reads like a novel
Cons: Title doesn’t reflect the vast amount of information within, geared for more advanced users.

I don’t have an iPhone. I don’t even have a cell phone. Am I that desperate for reviewers that I would review a manual for something I don’t have? It’s like reading the Chilton’s guide to the Mini Cooper you’ve always wanted…

I found I don’t really even need an iPhone to enjoy this book. In fact I got heaps of information having nothing to do with iPhones. This book would more aptly named “Media management for computer users on the go with lots of sneaky tricks to get more for your internet connection and mobile device. And then some.” I’m sure the editors would nix that title quite quickly, however.

This volume may be diminutive, but it is information dense. It is not so much instructions on how to use an iPhone, but how to use resources available on the internet and in third party software to enhance the mobile experience. An interesting feature is that it is equally Mac and Windows friendly. In fact, I didn’t detect any of the usual bias a Mac user usually displays when writing about PCs. Way to go!

The author is a well known columnist and freelance writer on any topic having to do with Mac. Andy Ihnatko has a distinctive writing style and wry sense of humor. I suppose his manner may not be received well by everyone, but I found his use of sarcasm and hyperbole rather refreshing compared to other technical manuals. He does interject quite a bit of irrelevant musings, much like a TV episode of SCRUBS, but his manner is entertaining. I found the book rather gripping, but not necessarily to the point of reading under the covers with a flashlight until 4AM.

This book is really not the ideal choice for the novice internet user. Andy’s (legal) methods of manipulating the internet to do his bidding are of a more advanced nature. An intermediate guide to the internet might be helpful for some before tackling this book.

Level: from 1-10, 10 being most advanced, I’d rank it 7.

Usefulness: 5
Presentation: 5 (many pretty pictures)
Expertise of author: 5
Indexing: 4 (not necessarily a book used to “look up” things. It’s a read-through book)
Accuracy: 4 (with the new iPhone and SDK the author needs to put out a second edition)

Total: 5. Good job!

This book has helped me decide to wait in line for the new iPhone on July 11. Everyone I know will gasp in absolute shock that I actually will own a cell phone. I realize that there is so much more to having an iPhone than calling people. And no, I’m not giving anyone my number.