Readers Respond to iPhone, iPod, iTunes Questions
Who Deserves Honorable Mention?
Not every app or product could make it to the final 5 in each category of the iPhone/iPod 2011 Readers' Choice Awards. But that doesn't mean that some of the products that didn't make it aren't worthy. What apps or products that didn't make it to the finals deserve an honorable mention?
Tips for Switching iPhone to Verizon from AT&T
Fans of the iPhone have been waiting for years for it to debut on the Verizon network. Some people prefer Verizon, others just hate AT&T. Now that the Verizon iPhone is here, if you've switched or plan to switch, tell us your reasons.
How Have You Used iPhone and iPod touch for Weight Loss?
Have you used the iPhone or iPod touch, and apps that run on them, as part of a weight loss plan? Share your story here so others can learn from it. Let us know what hardware and apps you used, what diet or exercise routine you used, and what results you got.
Your iPhone Jailbreak Experiences
IPhone jailbreaking can open up a whole new world of apps and carrier options that you never had before. And you can jailbreak the iPod touch and iPad, too. But jailbreaks aren't always easy and aren't always smooth.
Your Experiences Upgrading iPhone 3G to iOS 4
While the iPhone 3G can be upgraded to run iOS 4, there have been numerous reports of difficulties with the upgrade. If you've upgraded your 3G, post your experiences - good or bad - here and let us know, if you made it through unscathed, what tips and tricks you suggest.
Stories From the iPhone Line
Many iPhone owners have waited hours - or even days - in line to get their prized new phone. These waits aren't just boring hours of sitting, though. They often include games, movies, tents, food, and more.
What's Your Reason for Buying the iPhone 4
From a beautiful screen to HD video recording to the many useful features of its operating system, there are lots of reasons to buy an iPhone 4. Let's discuss why we bought the iPhone 4 (or, if you didn't, what turned you off).
How Many iPods Have You Owned?
Buying your first iPod often leads to a second, a third, and sometimes even a fourth. When you've really enjoyed the iPod, you often don't go back. But this faithfulness can often mean owning a large number of iPods over the years. Let us know how many iPods you've owned, and what models you've enjoyed.
What Are Your Favorite New iPhone Apps of 2010?
You've seen our ever-growing list of the best new iPhone apps of 2010, but what are your favorites? What apps did you recently discover and now can't live without?
What's Your Favorite Social Networking iPhone App?
You've heard about our favorite social networking iPhone apps. Let us know what apps you'd be lost without, that if you didn't have, you'd fall totally out of touch with friends and family.
What Are Your Favorite iPhone News Apps?
We've picked our favorite iPhone news apps, but there are many more on the market. Let us know which iPhone news apps keep you plugged into what's happening with up-to-the minute, in-depth news.
What Are You Favorite iPhone Running Apps?
We've selected the iPhone running apps that have served us best, but what apps do you run while running? Let us know what apps help you get the most of your run.
What's the Best Free iPhone Music App?
The iPhone was born to rock, of course, but not just with music you already know. Thanks to the many iPhone music apps, you can enjoy thousands of songs you've never heard before. We've made our list, but what is your favorite iPhone music app?
What's Your Favorite iPhone eBook App?
When it comes to iPhone apps, there's not just a library of eBooks to choose from, there's a library of apps to buy and read them with. We've selected our favorite iPhone eBook apps, but want to know yours? Where do you get your best reading material for the iPhone?
How Have You Used iPhone and iPod touch for Weight Loss?
Have you used the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Apple TV and apps that run on them, to save money? Share your story here so others can learn from it. Let us know what hardware and apps you used, and how you saved your hard-earned cash.
What's Your Favorite eReader?
With the debut of the iPad and Barnes and Noble's nook, there are suddenly a lot more choices than just the Kindle when it comes to eReader hardware.
What Are Your iPhone Ringtones?
One of the fun things about iPhone ringtones is that you can assign a different one to each person in your phone book - and use that ringtone to make a little commentary about the caller.
Have You Made an iMix?
The iMix feature of iTunes allows you to create a custom playlist and then publish it to the iTunes Store for anyone to buy and enjoy. If you've made an iMix, post a link to it here and let us know what your goals for your iMix were.
How Do You Prevent iPod / iPhone Theft?
IPods and iPhones are obvious and valuable targets for theft. But iPod and iPhone owners can take some common-sense steps to protect themselves. While some are mentioned in this article, there are many more.
Apple iPhone Complaints
Sure, lots of people like the iPhone a lot. But any iPhone user knows it's not perfect. Whether you've encountered bugs or if there are things about the design of the iPhone (or the people who love it) that frustrate or annoy you, share your iPhone complaints here.
What Are the Best iPad Name Jokes?
Apple's name for its tablet - the iPad - has inspired hundreds, maybe thousands of jokes. From the good to the bad to the tasteless, we've all heard them. Share the best iPad name jokes you've heard here.
Developers: Should Users Pay for Using iPhone Apps on Multiple Devices
On desktop operating systems, users often have to pay for each copy of a program they install (i.e., installing a program on a laptop and a desktop requires buying the program twice). Not so on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. On those devices, users buy the app once and install it wherever they want.
How Do You Avoid iPod Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is a potentially serious problem for any regular iPod or iPhone user. While there are some tips on how to avoid it in the linked article, there are many other techniques. What do you do to prevent damaging your hearing with your iPod?
How Did You Choose Between iPhone, Droid, and Droid Eris
Smartphone competition is hot and heavy, and there are more choices all the time. In this crowded marketplace, many people have had to decided between the iPhone and the Motorola Droid or the HTC Droid Eris.
Is It OK to Share the Music on Your iPod?
The sharing of digital music is a contentious issue, one that's led to companies being both started and put out of business, to people being sued, a lot of music shared, and new bands being discovered. There are many viewpoints on whether it's legal or ethical to share the music on your iPod with other people.
What's the Best iPd FM Transmitter?
There are a number of options for tuning in FM radio on your iPod, but, what's the best iPod FM Transmitter? Share your experiences with other readers and help them make the right buying decision.
What's the Best iPod Car Kit?
There are many different kinds of iPod car kits. From the built-in jack to the FM transmitter, they'll all get the music from your iPod to your car stereo, but some work better than others, some cost more, and other barely work at all. Share your experiences here: what's the best way to connect your iPod to your car stereo?
What's the Best iPod FM Transmitter?
There are a number of options for tuning in FM radio on your iPod, but, what's the best iPod FM Transmitter? Share your experiences with other readers and help them make the right buying decision.
Is the Apple TV Useful or Useless?
Steve Jobs has repeatedly called the Apple TV a "hobby," indicating that Apple may not have high - or serious - expectations for the Apple TV. Years after its release, the Apple TV still doesn't have features many say it should. But what do you think?
What's Your Favorite Movie Tie-In iPod touch Game?
Making a movie isn't enough anymore. Most blockbusters have companion games, too, and some of those games are reaching the iPod touch and iPhone. But, just like their movie siblings, some are better than others.
What's Better: AAC vs. MP3?
The question of whether to use MP3 or AAC as an encoding format for music stirs strong passions on both sides of the debate. It's time to weigh in. Let us know which codec you prefer for your music and why.
Overcoming iTunes Transfer Hurdles?
Moving iTunes libraries from one computer to another can be one of the trickiest - and least pleasant - experiences for iPod/iPhone owners. Though there are a number of techniques that different people suggest and swear by - from iPod copy software to burning libraries to CD - nothing's foolproof.
How Genius is iTunes Genius?
The iTunes Genius feature promises to understand the songs you like in your iTunes library and then suggest new music at the iTunes Store that you're going to love. But how good is it at understanding the music you like and helping you find new favorites?
Why Is the Nano the best MP3 Player?
I think we can all agree that the iPod nano is the best Flash-memory MP3 player in its category. But why?
Have You Bought a Refurbished iPod or iPhone?
Some people have had great experiences, others have been nightmares. The results of buying a refurbished iPod or iPhone run the gamut.
Why Did You Buy an iPod?
There are many great reasons to buy an iPod. From the usefulness to the coolness factor, millions and millions of people have thousands of answers.
Where Do You Find Cheap iPods?
Everyone likes to get a good deal. Especially on products that are on the expensive side, like iPods. The article above has some suggestions for where and how to find cheap iPods, but lots of people have success using different techniques.
Do You Have iPhone Insurance?
Some people buy insurance for their cell phones. Some think those folks are wise; others think they’re suckers for spending money that they’ll never get back or need. There’s no official iPhone insurance, but third-party companies offer it.
Tell Your iPhone Roaming Horror Story
We've all heard horror stories about people getting hit with huge cell phone bills they weren't expecting. Tales of US$10,000 monthly bills aren't uncommon.
Is Jailbreaking an iPhone Breaking Free or Breaking the Law?
The iPhone works with one cell phone carrier: AT&T. But for people who are willing to take some risks, there are options. Jailbreaking an iPhone lets users install whatever software they want and use their choice of cell phone carrier. However, Apple strongly discourages jailbreaking, won’t support jailbroken phones.
The Dumbest Thing Someone’s Done Using an iPod/iPhone
When people concentrate too much on their iPods and iPhones, they don’t notice what’s going on around them. This can lead to trouble: walking into walls, getting hit by cars, falling down. We’ve all seen examples of this behavior, but what’s the worst, dumbest thing you’ve seen anyone do while absorbed in their iPod or iPhone?
Are iPods Too Expensive?
The prices of iPods are higher than other MP3 players. There's no denying that. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has that the Apple logo adds $500 to the cost of its products.
What Do You Do With Your Old iPods and iPhones?
With new iPods and iPhones coming out all the time, passionate fans upgrade all the time. But what do you do with your old iPods? Do you give them to friends, sell them, donate them to charity, turn them into art projects?
What iPhone Ringtones Program Do You Use?
There are numerous options for creating iPhone ringtones. From the tool built into iTunes to third-party freeware and paid apps, there are lots of ways to turn your favorite songs into ringtones.
How Do You Get iTunes Album Art?
here are many ways to get cover art for albums in iTunes, from the built-in tool to third-party programs like CoverScout. In the age of CoverFlow, album art is more essential than ever.
Your iPod Battery Replacement Experiences
A long-lived iPod will almost inevitably need to have its battery replaced at some point. But you've got a lot of options: Apple can do it, you can hire a repair company, or you can do it yourself.
How Do You Fix a Wet iPod or iPhone?
The tips listed above are just a few ways to fix a wet iPod or iPhone. If your iPod or iPhone has gotten wet, what's worked for you in fixing it?
How Did You Decide iPhone vs. iPod touch
Did you have to decide between the iPhone and iPod touch when you were making your purchase? Which did you end up buying? What factors swayed you to the device you bought and away from the one you didn't?
How Do You Extend the iPod touch's Battery Life
Enjoying your iPod touch as long as possible requires getting the longest possible life out its battery. Doing this requires some tricks and smart use of the device You've just read 10 tips for extending an iPod touch's battery life, but there are likely countless others. Help other iPod owners by sharing your battery-extending tips and tricks here.
How Do You Extend the iPhone's Battery Life
Getting the longest possible life out of an iPhone's battery isn't easy - it requires tricks and smart use of the phone. You've just read 12 tips for extending the iPhone's battery, but there are likely countless others. Help other iPhone owners by sharing your battery-extending tips and tricks here.
What iTunes Alteratives Do You Use?
While iTunes is how most people get music to their iPods, there are alternatives to iTunes that also work. If you use an iTunes alternative, let us know what it is, and why you use it, here.
What Have You Heard iPod Stands for?
Many people believe iPod is an acronym, that it stands for something. Even though it's not, there are lots of theories about what it stands for.
Why is the iPod Better than Zune?
It's pretty simple: share your reasons that the iPod is better than the Zune here.
What’s Your Favorite MP3 Download Store?
iTunes has long been the king of the music download space – and for a while was really unchallenged. With aggressive efforts by Amazon and eMusic, though, competition is heating up again.
What Are Your Top iPods?
Everyone has their favorite iPod and prefers the features of one model over the features of another. My ranking of current iPod model reflects my judgment, but yours may be different.
Comparing iPod touch and Zune HD - How Did You Decide?
Did you have to decide between the iPod touch and Zune HD when you were making your media player purchase? Which did you end up buying?
Suggest iPod Trivia Questions
Think you know a lot about the iPod? Prove it by stumping your friends and family with trivia questions about the iPod, iPhone, and iTunes. Suggest new questions (and answers!) here.
Do You Take iPhone Security Seriously?
Do you worry about iPod touch and iPhone security the way you think about computer security? Is this an issue for you yet and, if so, what steps do you take to secure your iPhone or iPod touch?
Is the iPod touch Upgrade Fee Fair?
Apple charges iPod touch owners a fee for many of the software upgrades that add new features to the iPod. However, iPhone users who use the same upgrade don't have to pay this fee.
How Accurate is Voice Control For Music?
While the iPhone 3GS's voice control feature has proved very accurate when it comes to understand names and dialing the correct numbers, I've found that it's lacking when it comes to understanding the names of artists, albums, or songs.
Which Did You Choose? iPhone vs. Palm Pre
With the iPhone and Palm Pre duking it out for smartphone supremacy, what do the users say? Do you prefer the smaller, shapely Pre or does the king of the hill iPhone catch your eye?
Is AppleCare a Good Deal?
The warranty that comes with iPods and iPhones includes one call to phone support and a year of hardware repairs. For an extra fee, AppleCare will extend phone and repair support for two years. Consumer advocates charge that extended warranties are wasted money that's rarely used, while their defenders cite many examples of instances in which they came in handy.
What Else Do You Buy with an iPod?
When you buy a new iPod, there are all kinds of other purchases to consider. Are you a fan of iPod accessories and load up on them? Do you play it safe and always buy an AppleCare extended warranty?
With the entry of Dell's Streak into the space between the iPad and the iPod touch, there are now many choices for people looking for portable entertainment and web devices. While the iPad offers a big screen and the touch offers great portability, the Streak sports a medium-sized screen and always-on connectivity.
What Are Your Favorite iPod/iPhone Exercise Gifts?
Fitness fans: there's always something that could make your workouts more fun or your runs lighter - and some of those things have to do with the iPod or iPhone you use while exercising. Let us know what iPod/iPhone/iPad-related exercise gifts you've got your eye on.
What's Your Favorite iPod/iPhone Gift Under $30?
While there aren't unlimited choices for iPod, iPhone, and iPad gifts under US$30 (hey, these are premium devices!), there are some pretty good options. Do you have your heart set on a particular stocking stuffer? Have you gotten or given a great budget iPod gift in the past? Let us know.
What Are Your Favorite iPod/iPhone Gifts Under $100?
There are hundreds - maybe thousands - of great iPod and iPhone gifts that cost less than US$100. I've only written about a handful. If you've hoping to get a particular one this holiday season, let us know. Or, if you've gotten a great one in the past, share it and give others good gift-giving ideas.
The Best iPod/iPhone Gifts for Travelers?
Road warriors: there's always something that could make your trips easiest or more fun, your bags lighter. Some of those things may be related to the iPod, iPhone, or iPad. I might have covered some of them in the article, but I'm sure you have your own wishlist. Let us know what iPod/iPhone/iPad-related music gifts you've got your eye on.
Do You Want an iPhone as a Holiday Gift?
Lots of people want iPhones - and would love not to have to pay for them - but does that mean that the iPhone is a good gift? Are you hoping to unwrap an iPhone this holiday season? Did you get an iPhone last year? Are you worried about paying a monthly fee for your present?
What Movie-Related Gifts Do You Want This Holiday Season?
Movie lovers: you've got a wishlist of video-specific gifts you're hoping to unwrap this holiday season. I might have covered some in the previous article, but I'm sure there are a bunch I missed. Let us know what iPod/iPhone/iPad-related movie gifts you've got your eye on.
What Music-Related Gifts Do You Want This Holiday Season?
Music lovers: you've got a wishlist of music-related gifts you're hoping to unwrap this holiday season. Some of them may be on the list linked to above, but I bet a lot of them aren't. Let us know what iPod/iPhone/iPad-related music gifts you've got your eye on.
Do You Prefer the 5th or 6th Generation iPod nano?
With the 6th generation iPod nano, Apple radically transformed the nano. In doing so, though, it removed features and changed the way that you control the nano. Some people love the changes, others hate them. Which nano do you prefer, and why?
What eBook Gifts Do You Want This Year?
Book lovers: no doubt you've got a wishlist of book-related gifts - from reading accessories to books themselves - you're hoping to unwrap this holiday season. Let us know what iPod/iPhone/iPad-related music gifts you've got your eye on and what you're giving to the book lovers in your life.
What's Your Favorite iPhone Fitness app?
We've selected the best iPhone fitness apps based on our reviews, but what apps do you use while working out? Let us know what your favorite iPhone fitness apps are and which help you get the most out of a workout.
What's the Best App for Recovering a Lost or Stolen iPhone?
Losing your iPhone can be an upsetting experience. Luckily, there are more than a dozen apps and services you can use to try to recover a lost or stolen iPhone. What apps have you used to find a lost iPhone? Which have worked well? Which failed you?
Your Favorite iPhone Cooking & Recipe Apps
IPhone apps can help make cooking much more fun. From great recipes, detailed videos, cooking timers, and shopping lists, these apps are terrific for accomplished cooks or beginners. Let us know what your favorite iPhone recipe and cooking apps are.
Your Favorite iPhone Apps for Weight Loss
Losing weight is never easy, but a new crop of iPhone weight loss apps can help. But not all apps are equal. Share your experiences with the various weight loss apps and help others find just the right app for them.
Has Your iPod or iPhone Ever Been Stolen?
Having an iPod or iPhone stolen is a very unpleasant experience. Not only does it feel like an invasion, it also often means that you'll have to spend hundreds to get a new phone. But sometimes we get stolen iPhones and iPods back. If you've ever had an iPod or iPhone stolen, share your story.
Best Deals Snagged with an iPhone Shopping App?
Shopping Apps for the iPhone can give you the inside scoop on big savings on hot products. If you've used an iPhone shopping app to score big savings, tell your story. Let us know what you were buying, what app you used, and how much you saved.
Deciding iPad vs Netbook for Teens
Have you had to decide whether to give your teen a netbook or iPad for their schoolwork? If so, tell your story and explain the reasons for your decision here. Your insights will help other parents make good decisions.
Tips for Switching iPhone to Verizon from AT&T
Are you a pro at switching cell phone carriers? Have you switched your iPhone to Verizon without a hassle (or do you intend to)? If so, share your tips about how to smoothly switch iPhone service from AT&T to Verizon to help other make the transition without trouble.
How Do You Manage Multiple iPods on One Computer?
Managing multiple iPods, iPhones, or iPads on a single computer is a complex task. It's easy to get settings mixed up, accidentally delete content, and cause lots of frustration. The article linked above offers four approaches to solving this problem.
What Features Should the iPad 2 Have?
The iPad 2 -- with its two cameras, faster processor, and lighter/thinner design -- brings some nice new things to the iPad line. But there are lots of other features it could, some say should, have. If you're one of those who would like to have seen some other features in the iPad 2, let us know what features you'd have liked to see here.
What's Your Favorite Feature of iOS 5?
What's your favorite feature of Apple's iOS 5 operating system for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad?
What's Your Favorite Feature of iCloud?
What's your favorite feature of Apple's iCloud web service?
User Reviews: Spotify
Actual Spotify users review the service and help you decide whether you should sign up for it or not.
Conversations with Siri
Readers post screenshots of their sarcastic, sassy, funny, and remarkable conversations with Siri. See submissions
What Is the Best iPhone Carrier?
Share you opinion on the best company that offers the iPhone here.
iPhone or Android: Which Did You Choose?
For some people it's a no brainer, for others it's complex: is iPhone or Android the best smartphone for them? If you've been faced with this decision, share your thinking and what decision you ultimately made to help others answer this question.