Dwight Spivey - iPhone For Seniors For Dummies

This information is so useful, it's worth keeping in your head — not just on your bookshelf.

This information isn't essential, but it's neat to know.

There's even more iPhone information on www.dummies.com . This book’s cheat sheet offers tips on using Siri and suggests all kinds of apps that you can use to make the most of your iPhone. To get to the cheat sheet, go to www.dummies.com , and then type iPhone For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheetin the search box.

You can work through this book from beginning to end or simply open a chapter to solve a problem or acquire a specific new skill. The steps in each task quickly get you where you want to go, without a lot of technical explanation.

When I wrote this book, all the information was accurate for the iPhone SE (1st and 2nd generations), 6s and 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus, 8 and 8 Plus, X (the Roman numeral for ten), XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max, along with version 15 of iOS (the operating system used by the iPhone).

Apple is likely to introduce new iPhone models and versions of iOS between book editions. If you’ve bought a new iPhone and found that its hardware, user interface, or iPhone-related software on your computer (such as iTunes or Music) looks a little different than what is presented here, check out what Apple has to say at www.apple.com/iphone and www.apple.com/ios . You’ll find updates on those sites regarding the company’s latest releases.

Part 1

IN THIS PART …

Meeting your new iPhone

Navigating your iPhone

Discovering installed apps

Activating special features

Monitoring how your iPhone is being used

Chapter 1

IN THIS CHAPTER

Discover what’s new in iPhones and iOS 15

Choose the right iPhone for you and find where to buy it

Understand what you need to use your iPhone

Explore what’s in the box

Take a look at the gadget

You’ve read about it. You’ve seen the lines at Apple Stores on the day a new version of the iPhone is released. You’re so intrigued that you’ve decided to get your own iPhone so you can have a smartphone that can do much more than make and receive calls. Perhaps you’re not new to smartphones but are ready to make the switch to the ultimate in such devices. With your iPhone, you can have fun with apps such as games and exercise trackers; explore the online world; read e-books, magazines, and other periodicals; take and organize photos and videos; listen to music and watch movies; and a lot more.

Trust me: You’ve made a good decision, because the iPhone redefines the mobile phone experience in an exciting way. It’s also a perfect fit for seniors.

In this chapter, you learn about the advantages of the iPhone, as well as where to buy this little gem and associated data plans. After you have one in your hands, I help you explore what’s in the box and get an overview of the little buttons and slots you’ll encounter — luckily, the iPhone has very few of them.

Apple’s iPhone gets its features from a combination of hardware and its software operating system, which is called iOS (short for iPhone operating system ). The most current version of the operating system is iOS 15. It’s helpful to understand which new features the latest models and iOS 15 bring to the table (all of which are covered in more detail in this book).

Apple’s latest additions to the iPhone family are the iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max. Like their predecessors, they're highly advanced smartphones that leave competitors in the dust. Here are some of the key features of the latest iPhone models:

An A15 Bionic chip: Each of the four new iPhone models includes the new A15 chip. The truly innovative tech in these models demands a processor that can handle some heavy lifting while still being able to answer calls and retrieve email.

5G: The latest iPhones support 5G, which is the latest — and by far the fastest — cellular wireless technology. 5G promises to expand the connectivity of not only our smartphones but just about any device that supports the technology, including computers, cars, and smart home devices. 5G has the potential to change global communication, providing ridiculously fast and reliable connectivity.

Splash, water, and dust resistance: Your new iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, or 13 Pro Max is resistant to damage caused by water splashing onto it or from dust collecting in it. You might consider acquiring AppleCare+, which is Apple’s extended warranty, currently priced at $149 for iPhone 13 and 13 mini, or $199 for iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. AppleCare+ covers two incidents of accidental damage, which could more than cover the cost of repairing your iPhone without it. You can also get AppleCare+ with theft and loss coverage for all four models for $70 more.Now, you don’t want to take your iPhone 13 model deep-sea diving, but it’s likely to survive submersion in about six meters of water for up to 30 minutes. Mind you, these numbers have been tested in labs and aren't based on real-world conditions. In other words, if your iPhone 13 model gets wet, it’s much more likely to survive the ordeal than older iPhone iterations, but it still isn't something you’d like to see happen to your expensive investment.

MagSafe charging: iPhone 13 models include MagSafe charging, which uses Apple’s MagSafe technology to charge your iPhone with a magnetic connector that snaps onto the back of the device. Apple also has a series of MagSafe-compatible accessories, such as cases and wallets, so you can charge your iPhone even if those accessories are attached.

Ceramic Shield: The toughness and durability of Apple’s screens just keeps getting better. Ceramic Shield was developed by Apple and Corning, and according to them, it’s the toughest screen ever for a smartphone, making it four times more likely than other smartphones to survive a drop unscathed.

Don’t think your iPhone is unbreakable. Cases are still a good — no, make that a great — idea. As mentioned, Apple has a line of cases that not only protect your iPhone but also allow for wireless MagSafe and Qi charging. (Qi is an industry-standard wireless charging technology used by Apple and most smartphone manufacturers.)