iPod without the iTunes?

[Jeff.h]

Is anybody aware of any software/programs that one could use in place of itunes?

I personally strongly dislike iTunes. I won't go into detail about it, but I'd really like to be able to use an iPod without having to use iTunes to load it. If I could somehow bypass Apple's software and have something where I could just drag and drop files to load into the player it would be best. I realize this probably isn't going to happen, but I figure with the massive popularity of the iPod that it's a pretty good chance somebody out there has created something of the sort by now.

 

[Wodgy]

There's lots of software out there that does this. Try Ephpod and Anapod. If you want a full-fledged jukebox that does this, try Media Jukebox. For a longer list of software like this, go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipod
and scroll down to "Software Utilities."

 

[Super J]

I like anapod. It cost $30 but its worth it. You can also copy your music from your iPod to a PC, something that iTunes cannot do.

 

[lal316l]

I use winamp with the iPod plugin, it works really well.

Link

 

[BodiesOfLight]

I use Xplay and I like it a lot.

 

[CookieFactory]

http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/home/

Cool thing about Yamipod is it's a single file that is run off of your Ipod instead of your hard drive. So you basically take it wherever you go.

 

[Jeff.h]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodiesOfLight I use Xplay and I like it a lot.

This one looks just perfect. I'm looking for something that will just allow me to treat an ipod like a storage device. Plug it into the computer, drag and drop music files into a folder or icon, and then they transfer themselves onto the player. The winamp one might be good as well, but I'm not sure if it has the easy 'drag & drop to transfer' function like this xplay does.

And is there any freeware programs that will do just what I need, maybe without all the extras?

Oh, and also just wanted to make sure - with any of these programs all you need to do is install them and plug in your ipod through USB? I don't need to install any ipod stuff on my computer first before the ipod is recognized?

Sorry for my cluelessness, I've stayed well away from ipod's for a long time and don't really know much about them.

 

[blessingx]

You could also consider Ephpod. It might be easier to say which alternative is best if we knew what you disliked about iTunes, but from what you said so far it seems (except price) to be Anapod. YamiPod sure looks interesting (wish it had ALAC support).

 

[bangraman]

Sharepod.

 

[veezhun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx YamiPod sure looks interesting (wish it had ALAC support).

Wouldnt Yamipod transfer just about any compatible file to the iPod? I thought its just a transfer software. You encode ALAC in iTunes and transfer using iTunes/Yamipod/Ephpod/Anapod etc..

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by veezhun Wouldnt Yamipod transfer just about any compatible file to the iPod? I thought its just a transfer software. You encode ALAC in iTunes and transfer using iTunes/Yamipod/Ephpod/Anapod etc..

Not sure. I'm just going by its description...

1. mp3 and AAC files can be copied to/from iPod
2. read/write access to mp3 id3 and AAC infos

 

[veezhun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx Not sure. I'm just going by its description... mp3 and AAC files can be copied to/from iPod read/write access to mp3 id3 and AAC infos

oh ok.. i will check on this tomorrow. i will get a friend's ipod mini to test..

meanwhile, i had used ephpod with the ipod mini before and i had some issues with it. the problem came at the time of exit when it asked whether to save changes. it wouldnt write the changes..

i also tried the winamp plugin.. works very well actually..

 

[DJ Mauler]

im liking anapod for when i get mine, i liek the freedom of the files. ie ogg mp3 whatever doesnt have to ben aac or anything so thats another plus

 

[BodiesOfLight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff.h This one looks just perfect. I'm looking for something that will just allow me to treat an ipod like a storage device. Plug it into the computer, drag and drop music files into a folder or icon, and then they transfer themselves onto the player. The winamp one might be good as well, but I'm not sure if it has the easy 'drag & drop to transfer' function like this xplay does. And is there any freeware programs that will do just what I need, maybe without all the extras? Oh, and also just wanted to make sure - with any of these programs all you need to do is install them and plug in your ipod through USB? I don't need to install any ipod stuff on my computer first before the ipod is recognized? Sorry for my cluelessness, I've stayed well away from ipod's for a long time and don't really know much about them.

With Xplay, they say you should first plug in your ipod BEFORE installing the software to see if the computer recognizes it, then install the software. I don't know, I thought that was weird but I guess that's the bets way to install their software according to them.

With that installed, you then just plug in your ipod, go through the setup wizard for you ipod (and if you have songs on it I think you can set it up and not erase the music) and from then you just plug in the ipod and it'll come up as another drive on your computer and you can access it.

 

[BodiesOfLight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CookieFactory http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/home/ Cool thing about Yamipod is it's a single file that is run off of your Ipod instead of your hard drive. So you basically take it wherever you go.

This is interesting, so you just put the file on your ipod?