iPhone Tip: Taking a Screenshot

My Home Screen
My guess is that many an iPhone user has discovered a random image in his or her Camera Roll that looks suspiciously familiar.

Well, if you are one of these people, using an iPhone running version 2.0 or later of the firmware, you probably accidentally took a screenshot (for the non-techs out there, this is exactly what it sounds like, a picture of your current screen).

To do this deliberately, simply click the home button and the power button at the same time (or hold down the home button, then click the power button). You should see the screen flash white for a moment but otherwise be unchanged. You can do this from inside an application, while sending mail, or anywhere else. When you go to Photos, then Camera Roll, you should see any screenshots you've taken.

Whether you're documenting a strange bug, succinctly sharing the apps you use, or just think something looks cool, this comes in handy every now and then. Or at least explains random photos appearing in your Camera Roll.