iPod: The Missing Manual

by J.D. Biersdorfer, David Pogue

With the tiny Shuffle, the Nano, the Classic, and the Touch, Apple's gotten the world hooked on portable music, pictures, videos -- and the iPod. One thing they haven't delivered, though, is an easy guide for getting the most from this sleek entertainment center. Enter iPod: The Missing Manual, 7th Edition -- a book as breathtaking, satisfying, and reliable as its subject.

Now in a sleek, travel-friendly size, this new edition provides a no-nonsense view of iTunes 8 and everything in the latest iPod line, with crystal-clear explanations, easy-to-follow color graphics, and guidance on all the amazing things you can do, including:



Out of the box and into your ears. Find out how to install iTunes and load music on your iPod. And get advice on buying copy-protection free songs from stores like Amazon and Rhapsody.
Bopping around the iPod. Learn everything from turning it on and off to shaking your iPod Nano to shuffle your tracks.
In tune with iTunes. Choose which parts of your iTunes library loads onto your iPod, move your sacred iTunes Folder to a bigger hard drive, and add album covers to your collection.
Picking playlists like a Genius. Let iTunes' new Genius feature whip up smart playlists from your library, and suggest songs from the iTunes Store that fit with what you already own.
The power of the 'Pod. Download movies and TV shows and learn how to play them on your iPod and finish viewing them on your TV. Play photo slideshows, find cool podcasts, and more.
Welcome to the App Store. Soup up your iPod Touch, from upgrading to the 2.0 firmware to installing the iTunes Store's nifty new collection of programs -- including games that turn the Touch into a pocket 3-D arcade. Even if you don't buy one of the new iPod models, this Missing Manual has plenty of information on the latest version of iTunes, the App Store and a whole lot more about Apple's incredible device.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Computers, Adult, Technology, Music

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

A military brat, Biersdorfer has lived in eight U.S. states, including such diverse locales as a nuclear-missile base in North Dakota; Washington, D.C.; and rural Indiana.
A member of the newsroom technology staff at "The New York Times," she was heavily involved with the recent conversion of the Sunday Times Magazine to a desktop publishing system.
Coming from a non-technical background herself, Biersdorfer is dedicated to finding the most efficient ways of explaining computers to new and bewildered users in the simplest language possible. Biersdorfer is the author of 'The Missing Manuals' for the ipad and ipod.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty good with technology, and although I sometimes like to read manuals I usually figure out a lot of a machine's functionality on my own, just by experimenting and using logic. I thought I was getting all I could out of my iPod. I was wrong.

I learned about a LOT of cool and interesting tricks and uses for the iPod from this "manual", and a lot of stuff that hadn't come up yet, but that I might actually need down the line.

There was also a lot of stuff that I already knew and that I can't imagine anyone doesn't know...except my dad, for whom I bought this. I think this book can be really helpful for both an expert and a novice, and everyone in between. It's well written and organized, and clear. What more can you ask for?

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just a casual user of my 30gig video iPod, and had run across a few things that I couldn't intuitively figure out how to do. I ran across this at the library and gave it a shot. I found the parts dealing with my particular equipment to be well-written and fairly clear, although I still had to do some experimentation to get my iPod to do what the instructions said it should do. The sections dealing with other technology (such as the iPod Touch) were extraneous to me, and therefore something of a waste in this book. Overall, this book did what I needed it to...it gave me a clearer picture of how to do basic stuff with a video iPod. But I'm still glad I checked it out for free from the library instead of paying for it.

[Cherlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, this is an unusual post, but if you're like me, i.e. "older" and trying hard to keep up with technology, you'll love this book. I love my iPod, but always have to call my son in Arizona and have him walk me through my iPod issues (just ask him, there have been quite a few). When you buy an iPod, they come with zero instructions, except maybe a website you can go to. I was determined to find something like iPod for Dummies and found this instead at my used book store for $5. I can now navigate my own iPod and will have to think of other reasons to call Aaron!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, actually. Simple explanations, good photographs and fits in my purse, so I can bring out my Ipod and this book and learn on the go. I would have liked a list of web sites relevant to iPods but that's a small nitpick. I think this is probably the best title of the various titles offered on the Apple iPod.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fortunately, I didn't buy this, but I did read it at the library. Unlike the Missing Manual book for OS X, this one was fairly useless. There isn't much there that can't be learned simply by hands on experience. There's little for the advanced user.

For an ipod and itunes neophyte it might have value but for anyone else, save your time and money.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It helped me learn a lot of neat tricks for my Ipod.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an earlier edition that featured the iPod I had just bought...it has the same title as this book, but I guess this is an updated version.

[C-Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely insightful. I am on my third ipod and have learned so many cool features since reading this book.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice intro book. Most of it you can figure out by playing around with iTunes and your iPod. However, there are a couple of tricks that one can pick up.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the best book for learning everything about my iPod!

[♥ Theres~a · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful books I have ever read

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than your average tech gadget manual.

[Clara Dearmore Strom · Rating 4 out of 5]

These people are better than the "Dummies" authors.