Filed under: iPhone 101
iPhone for Newbies: Ringtones, double contacts, periods, and AppleCare
I just bought my first iPhone, a 32 GB iPhone 3G S, and found that that there is an abundance of information out there covering just about every aspect of its use. As an iPhone virgin, most of this is new to me, but I'm sure it's old hat to most.
Apple, however, is set to sell over
Ringtones
I tried making a ringtone from iTunes, but when right-clicking on a song and choosing 'create ringtone' I found that only songs purchased from the iTunes store could be used, at least in iTunes 8.2. In reality you can make a ringtone from any MP3. You can find the easy steps here.
Double Contacts and Calendar Entries
After setting up MobileMe and syncing my phone the first time, I found that all my contacts and calendar entries had been duplicated so that there were two identical entries of everything. Our own Chris Rawson set me straight on fixing this. If you disable calendar and contact syncing from the iPhone, all the information brought in from MobileMe will vanish. Next, re-enable them and you will be asked if you want to merge the contact and calendar information with what's on the iPhone (which was brought in by iTunes). You do. And in doing so, the problem will vanish. This tip is not just for iPhone 3G S owners, it's also happened to previous iPhone users who updated to system 3.0.
Period Space Bar Trick
When writing an email, typing the period key on my iPhone 3G S often does weird things like jumping down a line or two, slowing me down to a crawl. Chris Rawson also came to my aid by telling me that when you reach the end of a sentence, double tapping the space bar displays a period. This is much quicker for me, and my typing is cleaner. I'm not sure about earlier iPhones but for the iPhone 3G S, this must be set up manually. Go to settings-> general->keyboard and turn on the "." shortcut.
Applecare
There is no need to pay Apple $69 for AppleCare. I've been buying AppleCare from eBay at a decent savings for years. Often you don't get a full box, just a paper with the registration code, but I've never had a problem. Right now you can get AppleCare for $42 including shipping.
What have you found? If you have a problem or question and are too bashful to ask: ask here and we'll put our hive-mind right on it.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Henry P said 8:08AM on 6-22-2009
That space bar trick has been around since the first iPhone was released =]
Reply
TR said 8:17AM on 6-22-2009
AppleCare can require a proof of purchase which can make your AppleCare invalid.
Years ago I had AppleCare on an iMac that Apple said the AppleCare enrollment number was already being used and I need to show proof of purchase to get coverage.
They can double sell that enrollment number and leave you without coverage. Better to either save your money and never buy AppleCare or get a box and receipt.
Reply
David Winograd said 12:28PM on 6-22-2009
From my experience, it's never been trouble and I've done it five times.
If you have a horror story to tell, please tell it.
I'd like to hear your experience.
But for me, whether I get a box or just a code emailed doesn't make a difference. I've never been turned, or even slightly toasted.
David Winograd said 12:34PM on 6-22-2009
I would always buy AppleCare on anything portable, but that's just me.
I've found that all Apple ever cared about was providing proof of purchase of the item being covered, not the AppleCare itself. You can always print out the contract on an in-use copy of AppleCare.
And I've never seen a code double sold. If you have had a different experience, please write about it. The knowledge will benefit everyone, really.
gojeffrey said 1:52PM on 6-22-2009
I purchased apple care from a 3rd party once at a discount. However when I tried to register the account, I got a nice little message telling me my activation code was already in use. I called Apple and they confirmed. Since I did not buy the code from Apple, it was up to me to get a refund from the seller. After some arguing, the seller agreed to refund my money, but I won't do that again.
I wouldn't buy AppleCare or Mobile Me from any unknown website or even eBay or CraigsList. Too risky. On the other hand, I have bought MobileMe renewals from Amazon for $69 versus $99 from Apple with no problems.
ack154 said 8:48AM on 6-22-2009
"I'm not sure about earlier iPhones but for the iPhone 3G S, this must be set up. Go to settings-> general->keyboard and turn on the "." shortcut."
I didn't have to setup the space bar thing on my 3GS, worked out of the box.
Reply
souldawg said 12:37PM on 6-23-2009
The typing thing is key. Landscape is a serious improvement. Basic video, but this helped me out in doing a few of the num/let keyboard switches faster: http://www.howcast.com/videos/196070-How-To-Type-Faster-on-Your-iPhone
Frank said 9:33AM on 6-22-2009
I used to be an advocate of Applecare on eBay. It is probably fine if you plan to keep your iPhone/Mac until the AppleCare expires, but if you want to transfer the AppleCare to a new owner Apple will require a proof of purchase. As of April 2 2009 (per AppleCare rep.), PayPal/eBay receipts are not valid anymore. Only "authorized" retailers are allowed.
If you still want to buy AppleCare from eBay, I would only buy from sellers who are shipping you the unopened retail box - not just emailing the code.
Reply
JT said 9:51AM on 6-22-2009
To add to what Frank and TR said, people have figured out how to generate fake AppleCare registration codes that will activate fine with Apple.
Problem is, if someone goes into a retail store and buys AppleCare off the shelf, and it contains the same registration code that you bought from eBay, AppleCare will revoke your extended warranty. (Actually, they request that you send in a receipt and part of the box as proof-of-purchase, which you won't have if you bought from a fraudulent eBay reseller, then they revoke your extended warranty).
So yeah, if you buy AppleCare from eBay, only buy it if the seller will send you the original box + all of its contents.
And don't be fooled by an eBay seller with a great reputation that wont' send the box. Every fraudulent code he resells will activate, so he's going to get great immediate feedback from buyers. If and when a buyer has a problem with a hacked authorization code, it's too late for them to go back and leave negative feedback.
Lots of threads on Apple's support forums and MacRumors about this scam.
Reply
dance said 10:28AM on 6-22-2009
Better discount tip: for those interested in MobileMe, don't pay Apple's $99. Amazon and lots of resellers have it---in original shrinkwrapped boxes---for $70 or less. You can enter a serial number for renewals as well as new accounts.
Double-typing can also insert other punctuation--eg, typing w-e-l-l-l will autocorrect to "we'll" instead of "well". Y-o-u-r-r to get "you're" instead of "your".
Reply
David Winograd said 12:37PM on 6-22-2009
Good tip.
My last MobileMe account cost $69 from eBay.
Will said 2:44PM on 6-22-2009
You can now send contacts as .vcf email attachments by tapping "Share contact" at the bottom of their record in Contacts.
Reply
Evans said 10:50AM on 6-22-2009
I also got my first iPhone this past weekend, the only thing I have yet to figure out, is how to force the incoming call screen to stay on longer than 2 rings. Is there a setting that can be changed, or is this just how it is? I just don't understand why the screen shuts off while there is an incoming call, the entire function of caller id goes away with this method.
Reply
David Winograd said 12:48PM on 6-22-2009
Here's the response from our hive-mind:
It displays until the call is either dropped, sent to voicemail or you reject the call.
If you're getting something different, let me know and I'll take it back to the hive.
Evans said 1:52PM on 6-22-2009
Interesting, when I'm actually using the phone, and the screen is on, the answer/caller id screen stays on the entire time the phone is ringing (as I would definitely expect). However when the phone is locked, the slide to answer/caller id screen goes blank after 2 rings, but the phone continues to ring the final 3 rings (my ringtone is 'Old Phone'). So the only way to see who is calling or answer the phone if I don't get to it by the second ring, when the phone is locked, is to click the home button. So if that is how it is, then I suppose its just a minor annoyance, but if there is an option to change it, or if my phone isn't correctly handling incoming calls, I would appreciate finding that out.
Farmer Joe said 10:51AM on 6-22-2009
The delete and re-sync thing isn't helping with my duplicate contacts.
Reply
David Winograd said 1:57PM on 6-22-2009
Evan,
I don't think I can help you with this, but I have read that tapping the home button once ignores the call and tapping twice sends it to voicemail, but that didn’t answer your questions, did it?
spam_free said 12:03PM on 6-22-2009
Buying just an activation code for AppleCare (or MobileMe, or other similar products) is recipe for trouble. Always buy an unopened retail box of such items. There are plenty of vendors (online mostly) that sell these at substantial discounts. No need to test your luck with eBay or Craigslist.
Reply
David Winograd said 1:59PM on 6-22-2009
Okay we can agree on this.
It's safer to buy a boxed copy whether it be from eBay or anywhere.
Boxed copies on eBay are often advertised.
Regardless, can't go wrong by tossing in :Caveat Emptor
tekkenshihan said 3:40PM on 6-22-2009
Best/easiest way to make ringtones for you iPhone.
www.audiko.net
Done and done.
You're welcome
Reply