# Learning the Iphone

Category: Cell Phone Talk

## Post 1 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 16-May-2016 12:45:48

Hello friends. I'm considering buying an IPhone 6S in the near future. This will be my first Applae product. I'm curious about how many of you veteran users learned to use your phone. Did you teach yourself? Did you have an Apple store near you and you got their advice or training? Friends or family?

## Post 2 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 16-May-2016 14:18:04

For me it was a combination of teaching myself, and a couple tutorials on Applevis.com - a very helpful resource for all things Iphone related. I'm not sure I'd say the iphone changed my life the way others would, but it certainly opened up a lot more possibilities. Heck, it was the first time in my life I was able to text emssage.

## Post 3 by sia fan bp (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 16-May-2016 14:46:47

For me, it was a blind friend who used apple products before me and taught
myself. oh, and this program I go to every saturday, they have taught me
some comands too. :)

## Post 4 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 16-May-2016 15:45:48

I taught myself. Looked up a few youtube videos on how to use voiceover, and
just explored. Took a couple days, but after that I was good.

## Post 5 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 16-May-2016 15:53:25

Thanks to everyone. I will probably have to teach myself as well. The Applevis website seems like a good resource, as well as this website.

## Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 16-May-2016 16:22:48

I taught myself. I ordered my iBaby, received it in the mail, and got to it.
Apple has the manual that can be downloaded, so I did that.
I read as I went along. It sort of goes step by step.
After that, you just learn things, or as you have seen read boards here, ask questions.
An iPhone can be totally setup straight out of the box for us.
If you get one at the store, you'll be a bit ahead.
I also wouldn't say it changed my life, but it is a really handy and nice item.

## Post 7 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 16-May-2016 17:56:43

I would get one probably from the storeso it's set up out of the box. I haven't looked at any of the tutorials on applevis yet but I've started reading some books about the IPhone. Some of them seem a little intimidatine, but it's hard for me to visualize what they're saying. I do better if I have one in my hand and can follow along. Thanks again for all the replies.

## Post 8 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 17-May-2016 6:14:54

I had touch screen experience before getting my first I-thingy do to windows moble which was more complex then an IPhone. So far asking questions picking a few tid bits from a friend I was set. I guess also, before getting I phone I had a IPod touch and a mytouch4G running generation 2.1 of android which had very little touch screen support out of the box. Give yurself time, patients and don't expect to pick up every voiceover gestor over night. Lastly, good luck and may this device change and help further your independence.
Dan Mathis

## Post 9 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 17-May-2016 7:42:40

Thanks for all the information.

## Post 10 by The Roman Battle Mask (Making great use of my Employer's time.) on Tuesday, 17-May-2016 11:37:14

I baught an ipod touch before having an iPhone and was able to teach my self how to use it in a couple days. THis was back in 2010 so there were not a lot of resources available. Depending on your comfort level with technology, financial situation, and pacients you may want to buy an ipod touch, use it for a few months and then if you like it buy an iphone. You could always give the ipod touch to someone as a gift or try selling it.

## Post 11 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 17-May-2016 14:16:13

Poster #11, that is what I'm thinking myself. Thanks again to all for the input.

## Post 12 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Wednesday, 18-May-2016 5:03:13

I had had experience with an iPod touch before getting an iPhone. Help from Apple store employees in Minneapolis as well as observing and learning from friends who used the iPod and iPhone were useful for me as I could go to them and ask when I got into a bind. Other than that, play with the device and listen to what voiceOver is telling you. some of the gestures do take some getting used to, but the more you explore, the easier things will get over time. good luck and let us know how things go.
I must say, the only two gestures I almost never use are scrub and pinch. I'm assuming those are still needed sometimes? That's how unfamiliar I am with them.

## Post 13 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 18-May-2016 6:17:04

LOL! I'm thinking back to when I first was exposed to a cellular telephone. It was the size of a brick and weighed a ton. Now we're "scrubbing" and "pinching" our cell phones.

## Post 14 by pinkstrawberry (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 23-May-2016 20:16:28

I asked some friends for a little help and I figured out the rest on my own. For the person who spoke about scrubbing and pinching, some of those are used in games. and the iphone has changed my life. I'm in control of things that I couldn't do before. I have light detecter so if I can't see the light I would know if its on or off. I have a tun of games. and I could block people who I don't want calling me and so many things you could do with an iphone.

## Post 15 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 6:52:25

Thanks Pink Strawberry.

## Post 16 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 7:56:01

Also remember. Apple gives you 90 days of free support. They have a department for disabled people too.
You can call, email for help if you need it.
If you have an Apple store near, and just want to experience it, call, make an appointment, and someone will sit with you as you try one out.
I don't believe you'll need all that, but it is available.

## Post 17 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 9:13:34

Good advice all. Thanks again.

## Post 18 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 9:52:43

Also remember that there is a setting on voice over that, if you wait a second,
will tell you what to do. You can also look up the definitions for different
movements. Like, what is a flick versus a swipe. And, I don't think I've ever
used pinch or scrub. I'm not even sure what they would do to be honest with
you. I've never had need of them.

## Post 19 by pinkstrawberry (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 14:43:09

To blues_fan even if you got an I-phone, you could ask any questions and anyone of us will answer for you if you ever needed help In any way.

## Post 20 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 18:16:03

For what it's worth this website has already taught me a great deal about many things technological. I appreciate all the advice and experiences.
Tom

## Post 21 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Tuesday, 24-May-2016 21:25:42

As someone who has been intimidated by touch screens for about as long as they've existed, I can say that once I put all of that aside and honestly gave it a fair shot, I found that the gestures weren't nearly as bad as I'd imagined. Granted, I did have a bad experience with At&t store employees who refused to let me try Voiceover back in 2011, saying that they couldn't resell the phone once it had been enabled, and that was where a lot of my displeasure stemmed from. But, when my ancient flip phone finally got to the point where it literally could not hold a charge for more than 10 minutes a few months ago, I decided, through much persuasion by a few of my friends and the simple fact that accessible flip phones really don't exist anymore, to go for an Iphone. I'm actually waiting for it to arrive, given that I ordered an Iphone SE, and it's apparently on backorder. But anyway, the point is, I borrowed my sister's IPad for a few hours, talked with my best friend on Skype (who, incidentally, was as touch screen phobic as I had been up until recently as well, which helped quite a bit), and he walked me through some of the basic gestures. I found myself picking them up pretty easily, except for the scrub, which for some reason is a hell of a lot harder than it looks. I also wouldn't go with an Ipad as a first device, because I personally thought that the split screen was a royal pain in the ass, but it did show me the basics at least.

## Post 22 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 25-May-2016 9:43:21

These A T and T people were absolutely crazy.
Voice Over is a feature that could even at that time be abled, or disabled.
It is really easy now. Press the home button and tell Siri"turn voice over on, or off."
Tap the screen twice with 3 fingers close together, speech off, speech on.
Press the home button 3 time off, on. Lol
Back then it was a bit more, but still?
Crazy people.
I've had iPhone sense the 4S. Love the thing.
I believe if I didn't care about the new SE's smaller size, I'd wait until September and see what the 7 looks like if I wasn't in a hurry.

## Post 23 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 25-May-2016 19:03:42

GreenTurtle my experience is similar to yours. I'm currently using an inaccessible flip phone and it's been fine so far. I'm considering an IPhone as much for some of the aps it can run as much as the phone, texting and such. I'm a little intimidated by the touch screen, but I also have to admit that I don't have any real experience with it. There is a local ATT store near me and they told me that would be happy to sit down with me and walk me through the gestures and such.
Finally, I just plain think the darn thing is cool and want one! What's Wrong with that? (smiles)Please keep the stories and experiences coming. I'm learning a lot from this board as well as others.
Tom f I was inti

## Post 24 by pinkstrawberry (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 25-May-2016 19:29:41

Well if you get one for sure it would change your life. Because, things you never did you will be doing them. If you're in to games like me you will never want to put the phone down. They have apps for almost a wide range of different categories now. once you get an I-phone you could never go back from it. I was unhappy with my black-berry and it wasn't even a touch screen.

## Post 25 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 25-May-2016 20:13:16

Pink Strawberry, I believe I can see what you mean. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked to text someone; and I have to reply "uh...sorry no can do dude". That makes me feel about an inch tall. I think a big part of my wanting one is this feeling I have that the world is passing me by. I mean I get along fine, but every now and again I will talk to someone about tech stuff and I don't know what they're talking about. I hate that. I have just decided to retire my horse and buggy and get with the 21st century. Enough rambling from me....
Tom

## Post 26 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 26-May-2016 5:42:56

To Greenturtle. Please post your experiences with learning your new phone. I may learn from them.
Tom

## Post 27 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 26-May-2016 12:46:52

What's ya hold up?
Get ya one. hahaha.
Seriously, you have no fear. Order it directly from Apple, or arrange a 30 day trial with your cell provider instead of the normal 14 days.
That way win or lose, you aren't stuck with something you don't like.
Everything isn't for everybody, but you really don't risk anything on this if you set up your trial period correctly.
You can read all about experiences, but your own might vary.

## Post 28 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 26-May-2016 12:57:40

I've forgotten.
If you have a friend or family member with an iPhone, simply try there's.
Turn on the Voice Over and see what it is like.
You do no harm and it can be turned off.
The thing about it is the way the phone works is different is you are touching it with the voic on or off.
If it is an updated phone use the directions I gave above and that is about it.
It won't be setup like you want, but it will give you an idea.
Voice Over has different voices, speads and other settings is what I mean, but generally works same.

## Post 29 by Blues_fan (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 26-May-2016 17:44:48

Good advice .

## Post 30 by LittleSneezer (The Zone-BBS is my prison, but I like it here.) on Friday, 27-May-2016 21:34:32

I was a little intimidated by the touchscreen too, but a blind friend encouraged me to get an iPhone and brought me to a workshop on using one with VoiceOver. When I got my first iPhone, I learned how to use it through a combination of reading Anna Dresner's book Getting Started with the iPhone and teaching myself.

## Post 31 by ADVOCATOR! (Finally getting on board!) on Thursday, 02-Jun-2016 18:39:54

I have gotten my second IPhone, the S E. I need the smaller phones. I'm having trouble with giving it information, and still can't add a contact without assistance. I'm going through some special programs, to get help. My biggest hurdle isgetting stuck in a program and not being able to get out of it. Since there's some features I need to use on the IPhone, I'm going to ask someone to teach me. I also have some tutorials, but they intimidate me, but I'll get over it, and try working with it.
Hey Siri, is a good ap, because I have seizures, and sometimes after them, I have not much hand control. So, I can say: '"Hey Siri! Call my brother on his IPhone!"
And, it dials him right up.
I got hooked on my family's plan, and my brother had purchased KNFB something. Does anyone know what KNFB is? Sounds like an NFB radio station, to me. Hahaha!
God Bless!
Sarah

## Post 32 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 02-Jun-2016 21:55:38

What do you mean you're getting stuck in a program? You literally just hit the
home button to exit a program. Adding a contact you just fill in the text boxes.
Just double tap on the box you want to type in and type. Nothing challenging
about that.

## Post 33 by pinkstrawberry (Zone BBS Addict) on Sunday, 05-Jun-2016 23:51:18

yes its not challenging and also if you have trouble I think if you do a 4 finger double tap it would open up the help file. And if you are doing something if you have voice over hints turned on and you wait a second it will tell you what to do.

## Post 34 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Monday, 06-Jun-2016 0:02:28

to switch between open apps on the phone, hit the home button twice to acces the app switcher, then swipe left or right to see what is open.

## Post 35 by lalady (This site is so "educational") on Monday, 06-Jun-2016 9:51:44

Got the 5s I-phone about a year ago and I love it! Since I'm not technology inclined, I'm generally the last one on the block to make changes! Found a good website with step by step down to earth lessons and a complete cheat sheet for gestures and when to use them! Think it was: voiceovereasy com for those lessons. Although I don't use all the bells and whistles, Iam pleased with my new independence. Admittedly, there was a learning curve, but the special effort for learning was well worth it! Why not give it a try
!

## Post 36 by lalady (This site is so "educational") on Monday, 06-Jun-2016 10:13:42

The correct website address mentioned in my earlier posting is:www.voiceovereasy.net

## Post 37 by ADVOCATOR! (Finally getting on board!) on Saturday, 23-Jul-2016 3:15:59

I love games. I hear my dad playing Polker, and wish I could play, too. If anyone knows any free games, please let me know??
God Bless!
Sarah

## Post 38 by VioletBlue (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Saturday, 23-Jul-2016 22:38:34

Go for it! And people here will be glad to help you, if you ask, as you see from this thread. *smile*
I resisted it for a long time, too, and I do still prefer buttons on a phone, but it really is terrific to be able to text, listen to books and music and watch TV shows on a gadget the size of a deck of cards! Facetime comes in handy, when you can ring other Iphone users and have your sighted family/friend eyeball something for you, that you can't see! Also having the option of a GPS system while traveling is immensely helpful, and is actually the reason I gave in and got the Iphone in the first place.
I still have the 5C (in a pretty coral color! *grin*), and have no plans to get a newer model. I don't want a larger phone, and mine still does everything I need it to.
good luck.
Oh, and what is the SE? Yeah, I can Google it, but Im lazy at the moment.

## Post 39 by VioletBlue (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Saturday, 23-Jul-2016 22:46:29

Ok, I looked up the SE. Now i want to see one.

## Post 40 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 24-Jul-2016 16:13:38

Do it. Do it.
You'll then want to replace your 5C.
Laughing.
They've got it in Rose Gold. Really a pretty girl color.

## Post 41 by ADVOCATOR! (Finally getting on board!) on Monday, 25-Jul-2016 1:47:13

And one of these days, I'll know what's cool about it.

## Post 42 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 25-Jul-2016 13:59:53

You mean the iPhone?
You have one, and you haven't learned that yet?
I knew what was cool about mine soon as I took it out of the box.
Lol

## Post 43 by pinkstrawberry (Zone BBS Addict) on Sunday, 31-Jul-2016 10:46:59

To the person who wanted to know about poker games you could look up premium video poker by the developers of dice world. They even have a black-jack game and its very accessible.