Ideal user: Anyone lacking administrative rights on a work or loaner computer who wants a basic way to manage and backup their iPod without installing an application.Įxports iPod contents to iTunes (including ratings and playlists)įriendly GUI for the technologically timid Like Floola, SharePod launches directly from your iPod and offers utilitarian control over managing and backing up your iPod's tunes. Ideal user: File hoarders, control freaks, meticulous taggers, boutique format users (FLAC, Ogg), people with messy collections.Īdvanced tagging features and auto taggingįolder monitoring requires upgrade to Gold ($20) Media Monkey is a control freak's dream come true. Also, every application listed here is free, so there's no reason not to try them all and see what sticks. This list isn't meant to be comprehensive (by all means, add your own suggestions in the comments section), I'm just taking an opportunity to highlight my personal favorites. Depending on your iPod model, you'll probably still need to keep iTunes around for firmware updates, video purchases, games, and some advanced features (calendar syncing, for instance), but there's no reason you can't sync your music and podcasts using a different program.Įach of the following media jukeboxes has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you love your iPod, but can't stand being tied to iTunes, there are some compelling and capable Mac and PC iTunes alternatives that can sync with your iPod. Apple's seamless combination of hardware, software, and online store has made it many fans, but for some folks, the iTunes way of doing things feels unbearably confining.

For better or worse, buying an iPod also means committing to Apple's iTunes software.

Winamp skins download touch friendly