With an iPAQ in your pocket, you have a whole world of technology literally at your fingertips. The iPAQ is not only a PDA, it’s also a Pocket PC. You can do almost anything on your iPAQ that you can do at home on your desktop computer—if you know how to use all its really cool features. And there are so many of them!

iPAQ For Dummies boils down all this complicated, amazing technology into understandable pieces. Whether you’ve never used a Pocket PC before or you’re just new to the iPAQ, this handy guide will help you

• Navigate the iPAQ interface
• Use the address book and calendar
• Schedule appointments
• Sync your iPAQ with your desktop
• Back up your files
• Create pocket spreadsheets, and more

At the heart of iPAQ’s power is the new Windows Mobile 2003 operating system, with its improved security and network support, better Web browsing, and smoother synchronization for e-mail, calendars, and contacts. iPAQ For Dummies shows you how to use that power to

• Use the menus, change your screen settings, and establish a password
• Enter information into your iPAQ in various ways
• Surf the Web, read e-mail and e-books, and download music
• Create documents and spreadsheets with the pocket versions of Word, Excel, and Money
• Manage your calendar, contacts, and “to do” list
• Entertain yourself with games while you wait for that appointment
• Edit and display photos on your iPAQ, and much more

You can even connect a GPS and all sorts of other cool add-ons to your iPAQ. iPAQ For Dummies tells you the best choices, what they do, and how to use them. With an iPAQ in one hand and this book in the other, you’ll be able to do things you never thought possible.

* Covers the latest hardware and technology developments, including the new Windows Mobile 2003 operating system, for Hewlett-Packard's popular Pocket PC PDA
* Helps Pocket PC newcomers get up to speed and guides veterans through the iPAQ interface
* iPAQ's Windows Mobile 2003 operating system offers improved security and network support, Web browsing, and synchronization for e-mail, calendar, and contacts
* Covers navigating the iPAQ; using the address book; scheduling appointments; creating to-do lists; taking notes; syncing your iPAQ with a home or office computer; using Pocket PC versions of Word, Excel, and Money; connecting to the Internet; accessing e-mail, e-books, music, and much more

I suppose for the user who has no knowledge of palm pilots and hand-held computers, this book could be useful. The real difficulty I had with it was that it is already out of date. I just obtained one of the newest models of the HP iPaq, and this book simply did not help. I still have no idea how to connect to the Internet through the wireless. A real problem is that I have found no other books that are more recent. Someone out there could make a whole lot of money updating the information on the iPaq, since there have been many advances since 2004.

OK... I'm secure enough in technology to admit that I enjoy Dummies titles. The latest Dummies title I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing is iPAQ for Dummies by Brian Underdahl. This is a nice book if you are looking for an enjoyable read that will walk you through all the features of your new mobile device.

Chapter breakout: Getting to Know the iPAQ; Choosing Your iPAQ; Understanding the iPAQ Basics; Entering Information into Your iPAQ; Keeping It in Sync; Keeping Your Address Book; Taking Some Notes; Keeping Your Mobile Calendar; Working With Pocket Word; Managing Your Calculations; Tracking Your Money; Connecting Your iPAQ; Surfing The Internet; Keeping Track of Your Email; Using Your iPAQ for Music; More Multimedia; Playing Around with Your iPAQ; Finding iPAQ Applications; Traveling with Your iPAQ; Ten Great iPAQ Accessories; Ten Great iPAQ Business Programs; Ten Great Ways To Have Fun with Your iPAQ; Ten Great iPAQ Utilities; Index

When I got my iPAQ a couple of weeks ago, I was looking for a title that was more oriented towards a user of the device (as opposed to a title that showed you how to hack the device). Underdahl delivers well on that need. He covers both the hardware of the iPAQ (and all the different models) as well as each of the software packages that comes as part of the standard iPAQ configuration. In addition to explaining the base software, he also recommends additional software and/or hardware that either adds functionality that isn't there or is better than what the iPAQ ships with. And of course, all this is done in the lighter, humorous fashion that you normally find in a Dummies book.

My favorite section was the portions on using the Internet with the Wi-Fi connectivity. I downloaded an additional package based on his recommendation, and now I'm set to easily find and surf hotspots when I'm away from the house. I also tried an alternative web browser, but I'm not yet sure if I like it or not. Either way, without this book it would have taken longer to find those gems.

You can probably find all this information online or figure it out yourself. But why take the time to do so if you can have it all delivered in an enjoyable book?

This is how manuals should be -- inviting. The pictures, icons and layout, as well as the writing style, examples and content make iPAQ for Dummies the kind of book people will read, not just buy and leave on their shelves. The tips and examples show real-life uses, and the author's familiarity with his subject and his audience really comes through. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to see how to get the most use out of a Pocket PC.

I was lucky enough to get an advanced look at the book - great introduction to the iPAQ as well as a HUGE number of website references for downloading free software for it (and plenty more of reviews for software and hardware to purchase).

I have a lot of books by Brian Underdahl. He never fails to deliver what you've paid for - if you need to get up to speed quick on your new iPAQ or already have one but have never gotten into the nuts and bolts, this book will get you there. I love my iPAQ and learned quite a few things that I never would have imagined this device could do.

Great book - 5 stars.

Jim