This is the part in which I'm supposed to introduce the iPod touch and tell you why I wrote this book, but frankly, I'm so blown away by the iPod touch and all it can do that all I want to do is get you started with it.
Yes, I have a history with iPods: I wrote iPod & iTunes For Dummies, which I recommend for studying iTunes more closely. iTunes is the free software that controls the iPod touch from your computer. I even wrote an application for the iPhone and iPod touch, called Tony's Tips. But enough about that: Obviously I'm a true fan of the iPod line, and I think you should be too! So, on with the book!
The publishers are wise about book matters, and they helped me design iPod touch For Dummies as a reference. With this book, you can easily find the information you need when you need it. I wrote it so that you can read from beginning to end to find out how to use your iPod touch from scratch. But this book is also organized so that you can dive in anywhere and begin reading the info you need to know for each task.
I didn't have enough pages to cover every detail of every function, and I intentionally left out some detail so that you won't be befuddled with technospeak when it's not necessary. I wrote brief but comprehensive descriptions and included lots of cool tips on how to get the most out of your iPod touch.
At the time I wrote this book, I covered the most recent iPod touch model and the latest version of iTunes. Although I did my best to keep up for this print edition, Apple occasionally slips in a new model or new version of iTunes between book editions. If you've bought a new iPod touch with features not covered in the book, or if your version of iTunes looks a little different, be sure to check out the Tony's Tips section of my Web site (www.tonybove.com) for updates on the latest releases from Apple.
Like any book that covers computers, mobile devices, and information technology, this book uses certain conventions:
Choosing from a screen or menu: When I write "Choose Settings
With iTunes, when I write "Choose View
Sliding, scrolling, and flicking on an iPod touch: When you see "Slide the screen" or "Flick the screen," I mean you need to use your finger to slide the screen. When I write "scroll the list on the iPod touch Settings screen," I mean you should use your finger to slide the list so that it scrolls.
Clicking and dragging on the computer: When you see "Drag the song over the name of the playlist," I mean you need to click the song name (in iTunes), hold the mouse button down, and then drag the song with the mouse over to the name of the playlist before lifting your finger off the mouse button.
Keyboard shortcuts on the computer: When you see
Step lists: When you come across steps that you need to do in iTunes or on the iPod touch, the action is in bold, and the explanatory part follows. If you know what to do, read the action and skip the explanation. But if you need a little help along the way, check out the explanation.
Pop-up menus: I use the term pop-up menu for menus on the Mac that literally pop up from dialogs and windows; in Windows, the same type of menu actually drops down and is called a drop-down menu. I use the term pop-up menu for both.
This book is organized into six parts, and each part covers a different aspect of using your iPod or iPhone and iTunes. Here's a quick preview of what you can find in each part.
This part gets you started with your iPod touch: powering it up, recharging its battery, using its multi-touch interface and onscreen keyboard, and connecting it to your computer. You also find out all the techniques of an iPod touch road warrior: setting your alarm and multiple clocks for time zones, keeping time with your stopwatch, changing your display settings, setting the passcode to lock up the device so others can't use it, and setting restrictions on content and the use of applications.
This part shows you how to download to your computer songs, albums, podcasts, audio books, movies, TV shows, and music videos from the iTunes Store, and applications from the App Store. You also find out how to buy music, podcasts, videos, and applications directly on your iPod touch. I also show you how to synchronize your iPod touch with your iTunes library on your computer, and with your personal contacts, e-mail accounts, Web bookmarks, and calendars.
In this part, I show you how to locate and play all types of content on your iPod touch — music, audio books, podcasts, movies, TV shows, videos, and slideshows of your own photos. You discover how to control playback, adjust the volume and equalize the sound, and play YouTube videos.
This part describes how to use your iPod touch and the Safari application to surf the Web. You also find out how to check and send e-mail, look at your stock portfolio, and check the weather in your city and other cities. I also show you how to display maps and driving directions.
In this part I explain how to use your iPod touch to locate and communicate with friends on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social networks and instantly chat with people. I also show you how to enter and edit calendar entries, and enter and sort contacts. You also find out how to update or restore your iPod touch, and reset its settings.
In this book's Part of Tens chapters, I provide ten tips that can help make your iPod touch experience a completely satisfying one, and describe ten iPod touch apps that will rock your world.
Lucky reader! You can take advantage of my previous forays into iPodland by checking out the online bonus chapters associated with my iPod & iTunes For Dummies book on the companion Web site at www.dummies.com/go/ipod6e. Scattered through those chapters you'll find even more great informational nuggets. Topics include:
Choosing audio encoders and quality settings for importing music
Preparing photo libraries, videos, address books, and calendars for your iPod touch
Managing multiple iTunes libraries and copying your library to other hard drives or computers
Getting wired for playback and using accessories
The icons in this book are important visual cues for information you need.
Note
Technical Stuff icons highlight technical details you can skip unless you want to bring out your inner technical geek.