iPhone: The Missing Manual

Problems That Aren't Really Problems

There's a difference between "things not working as they were designed to" and "things not working the way I'd like them to work." Here are a few examples:

• Rotation sensor doesn't work. As you know, the screen image is supposed to rotate into horizontal mode when you turn the iPhone itself. But this feature works only in Safari and when viewing photos, not in any other program.

  Furthermore, the iPhone has to be more or less upright when you turn it. It can't be flat on a table, for example. The orientation sensor relies on gravity to tell it which way you're holding the phone.

• I hear only the audio of my video podcasts! Actually, it's a feature, not a bug. You can listen to the audio of your video podcasts if you access them from one of the iPod program's audio lists (like Songs). To see the video, open the podcast from within the Videos list.

• The phone volume is low—even the speakerphone. That's true. The iPhone's ringer, earpiece, and speaker aren't as loud as on some other phones. (P.S.—With all due respect: did you remove the plastic film from your brand-new iPhone? This plastic, intended to be on the phone only during shipping, covers up the earpiece.)

  Tip

  The speaker volume is a lot better when it's pointed at you, either on a table or with your hand cupped around the bottom of the phone to direct the sound.

• My fancy headphones don't fit the jack. That's because the iPhone's headphone jack is recessed. In Earphones.

• I can't send a text message ...