1. Remedy system lockups

Apple's iPhone runs a scaled down version of Mac OS X, and, just like Mac OS X, problems occasionally occur. If your iPhone locks up on you, try pressing the Home button for six seconds. This will force quit the application you're currently using. Still no response? Then press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the top of the iPhone for ten seconds. This will force the handset to restart.

2. Alarming issues

If you want to sleep peacefully without being woken by audible message alerts or emails, go into the Settings menu and set your iPhone to Airplane Mode before hitting the sack. This disables all of the iPhone's communication capabilities, but the alarm will still sound off in the morning.

3. Easy text deletion

The inability to select text on the iPhone not only prevents you from copying and pasting, but also from deleting large swathes of text at a time. Fortunately, you don't have to peck away at the delete key when you want to rewrite something; just press it once and keep your finger on it. Text will start being deleted letter by letter, then, after a couple seconds, word by word.

4. Accurate text placement

Inserting text in exactly the right place can sometimes be difficult if you just tap a fat finger on the desired area on the iPhone screen. To make things easier, press the area and then keep your finger held down. After a second, a small magnifying glass with a cursor will appear above your finger, enabling you to precisely place the insertion point, even if it's within a word or URL. Much better.

5. Improve the battery life

If you wish to maximise your iPhone's battery life, there are a few key settings you should adjust. First, turn the screen brightness down as low as you can without losing legibility. Even in direct sunlight, you might be surprised to find that 50% brightness (or less) is still perfectly adequate.

Next, disable Wi-Fi when you're out and about - your iPhone will consume extra battery power monitoring nearby wireless networks and looking for open ones to join.