iPod Touch For Dummies

Zooming (Web page, photo, map): To zoom in, spread two fingers apart on the screen (unpinch). To zoom into a column of text, double-tap. To zoom out, bring your fingers together on the screen (pinch), or double-tap.

Scrolling and switching screens: To scroll a list or screen, drag the screen with your finger or, for faster scrolling, flick the screen up or down. To switch from one screen to another, swipe the screen with your finger from left or right.

Editing text as you enter it: Touch and hold at the insertion or removal point in the text to see the magnifier, which magnifies portions of the text view. Before lifting your finger, slide the magnifier to the exact position for inserting new characters. You can then tap keys to insert text or use the backspace key to remove text.

Quickly typing a number and returning to letters: Touch and hold down the .?123 key and then slide your finger over the keyboard to the number you want; release your finger to select the number. The keyboard reverts back to alphabetical keys so that you can continue typing letters.

E-mailing photos: To send a photo in an e-mail, tap the Photos icon on the Home screen and choose a photo; then tap the Options button in the lower-left corner of the photo. (Tap the photo if the controls disappear.) Tap the Email Photo button to e-mail the photo. The New Message screen appears with the photo embedded in the message. You can then tap the message field to enter text and fill in the To and Subject fields.

Labyrinth LE: (Free) You tilt your iPod touch to roll a ball through a wooden maze without falling through the holes. It’s addictive!

SlotZ Racer: (Not free) If speed is the issue, try SlotZ Racer, which lets up to four people race slot cars on a single iPod touch.

Virtual Zippo Lighter: (Free) It opens with a flick of your wrist and lights with a turn of your thumb — it’s the free Virtual Zippo Lighter app! The flame sways as you move your iPod touch and reacts when you try to blow it out. It’s perfect for requesting an encore at concerts.

ShoZu: (Free) ShoZu keeps you connected to over 50 of your favorite sites, including Flickr, Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, Photobucket, Vox, and Friendster. You can upload images from your iPod touch to many of these sites and also send them to any e-mail address.

Pocket God: (Not free) You play god on a remote island, ruling over primitive islanders, striking them with lightning or feeding them coconuts as you prefer. Hey, it could happen, so be prepared.

Flashlight: (Free) Flashlight fills your screen with a bright white light, which is perfect for dark places, such as concerts. You can use your iPod touch as a flashlight to find a seat.

FlightTrack: (Not free) FlightTrack offers real-time status info for flights from around the world, with live weather updates, route maps, gate numbers, and information about delays and cancellations.

HearPlanet: (Free) Turn your iPod touch into an audio tour guide. HearPlanet plays audio tracks of Wikipedia articles based on points of interest surrounding your current location. It offers both the text and audio of the Wikipedia article; the premium version improves on the free version by adding real human voices.

Scribular: (Free) Scribular is an easy and fun way to share and explore the world around you. You can leave virtual notes at locations, and you can see what others have written about where you are.

Showtimes: (Free) Showtimes first locates where you are (the location of your iPod touch), and then provides relevant local movie theater information, show times, movie descriptions, movie ticket purchasing capabilities, and trailers.