iOS for beginners: Setting up your iPhone

Introduction

Love it or loathe it, Apple's smartphone remains a desirable piece of tech for many. And whether you have it, are saving to get one, or looking for reasons not to, it's important to find out what makes it stand apart.

There are several aspects of a smartphone that shouldn't be overlooked while contemplating a purchase. We all love the big screen, the resolution, the processing power and, so Apple of them, the brilliant design, but that doesn't paint the full picture.

Captivated by the looks, we forget that it is also a small personal computer capable of much more than it says on the tin. Easing into your daily routine, it will help you get organized or create cool content - music, home movies, and art - and turn those long flights into hours of fun.

At this point, choosing a smartphone is a choice between ecosystems. And despite some self-imposed limitations, iOS currently has the richest catalog of content and the joint best apps selection in the handheld game.

A smartphone purchase also leads to investments in apps and with them - services. It's important to make the right choice at the right time, because what you get is likely to stick with you for a while. It's kind of like choosing between Nikon and Canon, only in this case you cannot sell your entire kit and jump ship.

What type of user are you? Where do you come from? Are you a newcomer to the smartphone game entirely, or an iPhone veteran just getting the latest generation? And finally, are you coming from another smartphone platform? If that's the case we're guessing you gave Android a go and just didn't feel at home. If you fall into any of the categories above, then this guide is exactly what you're looking for in your increasingly connected lifestyle.

As we delve into this review we're going to share some of our knowledge, tell you how to set up your iPhone the right way, and give you a starting point for the apps you should try and why. We'll get into jailbreaking and why it can be helpful or hurtful, and tell you how to squeeze the most out of your smartphone so it's much more than a style statement.