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| 11/23 |
| 2007/9/12-14 [Computer/Companies/Apple, Consumer/Audio] UID:48042 Activity:moderate |
9/12 My mother-in-law bought an iPhone. I have a CD she would like to
load onto her iPhone. I ripped the CD into MP3s and imported them
into iTunes. How can she listen to the CD on her iPhone w/o
blowing away the music she already had on there (from home) which
is what iTunes wants to do. I don't have access to her home
computer, which is the one the phone is registered with. How can I
do this? Why does Apple make these trivial things (copying a file
from one device to another) so effing difficult? It's not a DRM
issue. I own the CD!
\_ I copy files from one Apple device to another all the time.
What's so effing difficult? By the way, if you didn't do the
obvious thiing of just giving your inlaw the files on a USB
stick, CD, or even the iPhone itself, your effing answer is:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61675
\_ This article talks about iPod. iPhone is not an iPod and
behaves differently. Do you have experience with iPhone?
AFAIK, you can only sync music to an iPhone from a single
computer. There is some 3rd party s/w which claims to do
this as a kludge by creating a new Library, but 1) That's
not the same thing and 2) That costs money. Your "obvious"
answer requires access to her home computer, which we don't
have right now. I am guessing you think you know more than
you know:
http://tinyurl.com/26xbjo
http://tinyurl.com/32n39m
I am getting really sick of Apple.
\_ huh what? I thought everything was supposed to be easy with Apple
products? |
| 11/23 |
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| docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61675 No Using iPod with multiple computers You can manage your iPod with different computers as long as the computers are running the same operating system (Mac OS X or Windows) and you have set the iPod to "Manually manage music." Modes By default iPod is set to "Automatically sync songs to my iPod" sometimes called automatic mode. In order to transfer music from multiple computers iPod must be set to "Manually manage music" sometimes referred to as manual mode. Automatic Mode When iPod is set to automatic mode iTunes automatically updates iPod's music library whenever you connect iPod to your computer. iTunes transfers new songs you've added, and erases songs you've removed. However, the first computer you connect iPod to is its "home" computer, and the music library from that computer is copied to iPod. When you connect iPod to another computer, an alert box appears with this message: "The iPod "iPod" is synced with another iTunes library. Do you want to erase this iPod and sync with this iTunes library?" "An iPod can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replaces the contents of this iPod with the contents of this iTunes library." If you want to delete the music library on iPod and make the second computer iPod's "home" computer, click Erase and Sync. iTunes will delete all songs and playlists on the iPod, and then will copy the music library and playlists from the new home computer to iPod. Manual Mode If you want to keep the music library on iPod, but copy songs or playlists from the music library on the second computer, click Cancel to this dialog box, and then set iPod to manual mode. You change the iPod synchronization mode to manual mode in iTunes: 1 Open iTunes, if necessary. It is normal for iPod to take a few seconds to change from automatic mode to manual mode. When in manual mode, to add songs or playlists drag them from iTunes to the iPod icon in the sidebar. To remove songs or playlists select them on the iPod in iTunes and hit the delete key. Important: Synchronization generally occurs only in one direction, from your computer to your iPod. transfer purchases feature, which allows you to restore purchased iTunes content to an authorized computer from your iPod. Note: iPod shuffle is intended for use with a single computer. You cannot load music from multiple computers or iTunes libraries onto iPod shuffle like you can with other iPods. |
| tinyurl.com/26xbjo -> www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4219107.html And I'd also like to put forth my plea to Apple's powers that be to allow for "equal opportunity syncing" to iTunes for the miraculous device, but we'll get to that in a minute. The iPhone has obviously been the most hyped consumer technology launch of 2007, but it's significance will probably be best felt through competing cellphones. Interestingly, almost all of the functionality of the iPhone can already be found in other phones. The HTC Mogul (available from Sprint), for instance, has a touchscreen interface (plus a slide-out keyboard that the iPhone doesn't have); and can surf the Web at 3G speeds (the iPhone is stuck on AT&T's EDGE network, rather than that company's faster HSDPA 3G network). The Helio Ocean (which also uses Sprint's 3G network) can view YouTube videos (like the iPhone can) and has a special Google Maps application (like the iPhone has) with GPS integration (which the iPhone doesn't have). And these two phones cost $399 and $295, respectively, compared to the iPhone, which costs $499 for a 4GB model and $599 for 8GB. My point is that the iPhone isn't accomplishing much that's new for its users, but what it does do is package and deliver its functionality better than any other phone. It is yet another instance of why interface matters: If people weren't so frustrated by the way their phones work already, the iPhone never would have been such a big deal. But Apple gets that millions of people are willing to pay more for a device that is a pleasure to use. And now that the iPhone is out (and sold out), other manufacturers are going to have to start paying attention to the way they design their operating systems. Just jamming more functions into a phone isn't going to cut it. Cellular phones will either have to get simpler (ie, just make calls) or more intelligent. And that means more than just handholding for technology newbies; it means making each function a natural part of the greater whole. reports today suggest we could see a stripped-down iPhone in iPod Nano form by year's end). Speaking of coming around, however, there's one thing I'd like Apple to come around on. my review of the device, I mentioned some of the apparent syncing restrictions for the iPhone and promised to look into it. I put the question to the folks from Cupertino, who confirmed that the iPhone can't manually manage music, as you can do with normal iPods. That means that you can't drag individual music files to the iPhone but have to include them in a playlist--and all playlists must be synced at once. Also, an Apple spokesperson confirmed that each iPhone has a 1:1 syncing relationship with a single computer. Meaning you cannot put content from multiple computers on a single iPhone. This can become an issue when a user has either multiple computers at home or alternates between computers at work and home. If, for instance, you sync photos to your iPhone from your work computer, then later try to add more photos onto the device from your home computer, the iPhone will erase all the photos you previously put on it. Apple claims that the reason for the 1:1 relationship stems from the importance of the address book, calendar and e-mail settings, which require a primary computer relationship that's consistent across media types. If I seem to be nitpicking, it's only because the iPhone is too sophisticated a technological marvel to be hamstrung by such minor annoyances. Navigating one's music and video is so effortless and enjoyable on the iPod, why should getting that content on the device feel like spoon-feeding castor oil to a recalcitrant child? One of the readers of my review claims that Apple has never allowed syncing content with multiple computers because the company is trying to protect the rights of the artist. terms of the DRM have always been flexible within Apple's walled garden: Any protected music file from the iTunes store can be used on up to five computers and unlimited iPods. This is just a simple case of awkward interaction between the iTunes computer software and the hyper-elegant little Jesus phone--the two elements just don't dance together as well as you'd expect. Current iPods already sync calendars and contact lists and allow users to populate the device with content from multiple computers. Current iPods already allow drag and drop music syncing. Segmenting the syncing protocols so that contact list and e-mail settings are tied to a "home" computer, while music, movies and photos can be downloaded from any computer doesn't overcomplicate the user experience, it makes it more flexible. Of course, this could all be fixed in the future with a simple software update from Apple. RE: iPhone's Achilles Heel: Buzzword Oh and let my iPhone use the same accesoties I bought for my iPhone. That's just a crappy MS thing to only the mother company to provide seemless additions. Makes me really question Steve's motivation behind his open letter to the music industry. This is my soul access to the world beyond my physical reach for two weeks until my provider has an installation appointment open soince my move. RE: iPhone's Achilles Heel: Buzzword Any thoughts on why the iPhone is forced to be so restrictive? Anything to do with the scene in Pirates of Silicon Valley where Gates is on screen behind Jobs all big brother like in direct conflict with Apple's 1984 commercial? I still believe its primary genious is in its software interface and keep praying all our concerns will be addressed and "updated" problem is there's less money in softwate updates than new hardware. They'll probably fix all the concerns first then jack up the incredibly reasonable service plan rates. I bought the phone despite its high price for what i still hope will be the long term updatable functionality. The fixes Apple doesn't provide will be offered by techno geeks. If apple is smart as it has been it will sacrifice immediate profit for long term profit and be more responsive to user disires. This could be the ultimate customizable personal device if Daddy lets it grow up. Sell the personalized update options if you want to improve your buisness model but at least offer them. Otherwise loyal customers will drop it like an overheated battery for the next sexy phone. I also hope Apple pays someone tp fond and read blogs like this so they can better provide product to their customers. When apple is able to sell mass produced individuality the revolution will truly begin. At least in individualized western socities like the US. RE: iPhone's Achilles Heel: Buzzword I am able to sync my calendar at work and my music at home with my iphone(that's with the latest iphone firmware and the latest itunes versions) 10. RE: iPhone's Achilles Heel: Buzzword To ask a question what a slightly better phone gives you than your existing one is pointless. I use the Nokia 3310 very basic green screen model and i am happy with it too. But it doesn't mean any better phones (or devices rather) are of no much use. I remember when I had a huge grey Motorola flip phone with orange numbers and it had to be worn on your belt. And it wasn't cheap but it was better than a bag phone or a 10 pound Zach Morris phone. But some things on it were complicating to learn at the time. Your RAZR and your LG, and what have you have become bag phones and I now have the latest phone that everyone else loves to talk bad about because either A) it costs too much for them B) it's the coolest phone out C) they don't need it for what they do so it is junk and stupid to have all of those features. If they do come out with a new model, I'll buy that one (and in that case you're right, then I am spending more but I'll still have the better phone. board=itunes&action=display &thread=1186047247 It appears that the manual now states that you can sync it with multiple computers. Also if you get in any more conversations with apple about it, remind them that their itunes license agreement states that you have a license to use the music on up to 5 ipods and can put music on an ipod from 5 computers. Since the iphone is the "best ipod they've ever made," it is an ipod by Steve's statement and therefore they should abi... |
| tinyurl.com/32n39m -> www.theregister.com/2007/07/09/apple_neuters_iphone/ More by this author Published Monday 9th July 2007 20:24 GMT Comment Within hours of last week's iPhone debut, hackers were dissecting it. Their goal: unlock capabilities Apple preferred customers not have. As a result, it's now possible to activate the device without entering into a two-year contract, and it's only a matter of time until you can run third-party apps. Alas, one of the iPhone's biggest shortcomings seems to have gone completely unnoticed by hackers, which means we're most likely stuck with it. We're talking about the inability to manually manage music on an iPhone by connecting it to a computer, highlighting a band, album or song within iTunes and moving it to the iPhone icon. Apple, the company that practically invented the drag-and-drop, has consciously eliminated the feature from the iPhone. This decision effectively neuters the device because it removes capabilities that played a huge role in making the iPod the gee-whiz device that set the standard for portable music players. If you want to load the new albums by Wilco or the White Stripes (both highly recommended, by the way), you'll have to create a playlist in iTunes first and then sync it with your iPhone. If you later decide you want to remove one of those albums from the device, you'll have to remove it from the iTunes playlist and sync again. This is precisely the kind of tortured user interface that the overly smug Mac Guy lampoons in Apple's ubiquitous advertisements. It's awkward, creates extra steps, and makes it next to impossible to use more than one computer to load music onto the iPhone, since you need identical playlists on all the machines. Even worse, this change means it's impossible to plug an iPhone into a computer and play its contents through iTunes. One of the unsung glories of an iPod is its ability to function as a highly portable jukebox at parties, nightclubs or other gatherings. Just connect it to your favorite PC or Mac, fire up iTunes (or better yet, Winamp if you're on a PC) and suddenly you have hundreds of new tunes to spice up that tired party shuffle that's been droning on for the past hour. This feature is one of the iPod's few social skills, and is an important counterweight for a device that is otherwise remarkable for wrapping its users in their own solitary bubble. The iPod pictured below has manual music management enabled. When it is connected to a computer, its songs appear in iTunes in black, meaning tunes can be clicked on and played. Screenshot of iTunes with library showing contents of iPod music as black entries that can be played with the click of a mouse. Locked and Loaded: The iPod makes it easy to load and play music on your computer Compare that with the iPhone, pictured below. As a result, entries in the music library are gray, designating there is no way for iTunes to play them. Screenshot of iTunes with library showing contents of iPhone music as gray Locked down: Thanks, Apple The iPod's ability to play music through a computer allows users to come together and play new tunes for friends in a way that is perfectly legal and highly contagious. Being able to play iPod contents through iTunes guarantees that transitions from one contributor to another are seamless, and it provides all the eye candy and other benefits that come from being connected to a fully functioning computer. The elimination of manual management is all the more striking given that the iPhone has a recessed headphone jack. That means even those who opt to plug their device into a PA using the mini port (at best, an inferior method for sharing music at parties) won't be able to do so without a special adapter. Apple designers are considering adding the functionality into the iPhone, according to rumors on online discussion boards, but don't hold your breath. That means the tinkering of a band of determined hackers may be our best hope in turning around this sad state of affairs. |