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shadowfax1
October 4th, 2010, 06:42 AM
Anyone know whether software will be developed for Itunes and Ipods?

fatality_uk
October 4th, 2010, 08:24 AM
I would say the chances are slim to none!!

3rdalbum
October 4th, 2010, 12:05 PM
For iPods, there is already software. Itunes will probably never exist on Linux.

My best advice is to NOT buy an iPod. Instead, buy a player that works with any USB operating system. Drag and drop. There are plenty around (Sony, Cowan, Sandisk etc)

ronnielsen1
October 4th, 2010, 12:16 PM
I would say the chances are slim to none!!
Well, if linux ever received decent market share, I'd say Apple would have to. I bet they don't like to support windows


There's ways to use it:

Apple closely guards and purposely obscures the workings of iPods even going so far as to alter it from time to time to intentionally make it difficult for non-Apple software and hardware to interoperate with iPods. Nevertheless Ubuntu works very well with iPods, except for the newest generation iPod Touch, iPhone, 5th generation Nano iPod and any other future generation Apple portable devices where Apple changed their systems so that they no longer show up as generic storage devices. To work with these new-generation devices, look at this (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PortableDevices/iPhone) article on using Ubuntu to sync with your iPhone/iPod touch. Most firmwares are supported with the installation of Ubuntu software to get them to work.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PortableDevices/iPod

mr_luksom
October 4th, 2010, 01:42 PM
Never.

If Steve Jobs could have his way, there would be no access to the iTunes binaries, let alone the source. The only way you would be able sync your iPod is by plugging into his computer.

Think different. Should be 'Don't Think'.

Grenage
October 4th, 2010, 01:53 PM
It's more likely that they don't want the support hassles. Mac is clean and simple to support, Windows is relatively simple to support. Linux would be more of a headache, and there no real market for the effort.

beew
October 4th, 2010, 02:39 PM
For iPods, there is already software. Itunes will probably never exist on Linux.

My best advice is to NOT buy an iPod. Instead, buy a player that works with any USB operating system. Drag and drop. There are plenty around (Sony, Cowan, Sandisk etc)

Big +1 to not buying the ipod. It is one thing that certain hardware are incompatible for lack of available drivers etc, quite another when the manufacturer (Apple)went the extra mile to make sure that it doesn't play well with non Apple OS even if you are willing to do the work

Jesus_Valdez
October 4th, 2010, 03:26 PM
Is there any alternative to an iPod Touch?

Grenage
October 4th, 2010, 03:29 PM
Is there any alternative to an iPod Touch?

3rdalbum gave some good alternative brands; I hear great things about Cowon.

steev182
October 4th, 2010, 03:40 PM
I don't know if you can get access to pay as you go phones in Mexico, but there are some good Android handsets which could match the iPod Touch for features (not storage, you'll have to depend on MicroSD cards).

For instance, I bought an Orange San Francisco (rebadged ZTE Blade) for £109 and I'm using it without a SIM card as a music player/GPS route tracker whilst I ride to work or go on rides for fun.

To put into perspective - 8GB iPod Touch is £150

xieon
October 4th, 2010, 04:05 PM
Never.

If Steve Jobs could have his way, there would be no access to the iTunes binaries, let alone the source. The only way you would be able sync your iPod is by plugging into his computer.

Think different. Should be 'Don't Think'.

I'm sure you said thi sjokingly, but I've thought of this too. I think if Apple could get away with everyone being forced to sync at apple stores the would do so.

I have an ipod, but there are better players out there, and I just use regular rhythmbox, or mediamonkey + wine is good. There is NO need for i-tunes. There are plenty of programs that look betterr and do a better/same exact thing

ubunterooster
October 4th, 2010, 04:54 PM
Is there any alternative to an iPod Touch?http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/55-501-056-TS?$S125W$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855501056)http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/82-501-013-TS?$S125W$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882501013)http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/55-501-053-TS?$S125W$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855501053)

Sporkman
October 4th, 2010, 08:12 PM
It's more likely that they don't want the support hassles.

Also DRM issues. an open source OS is not DRM friendly.

pwnst*r
October 5th, 2010, 04:38 AM
3rdalbum gave some good alternative brands; I hear great things about Cowon.

Strictly as a music player, yes some of those are good (Cowon being, IMO, the best of the bunch audio-wise), but those aren't true alternatives since they offer much less functionality than the touch.



http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/55-501-056-TS?$S125W$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855501056)http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/82-501-013-TS?$S125W$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882501013)http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/55-501-053-TS?$S125W$ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855501053)

Those are pieces of crap. No Android Market by default and a mediocre music player at best. Did you even look at reviews for these?

Dustin2128
October 5th, 2010, 04:51 AM
I would say the chances are slim to none!!
I'd say the latter ;)


If Steve Jobs could have his way, there would be no access to the iTunes binaries, let alone the source. The only way you would be able sync your iPod is by plugging into his computer.

Think different. Should be 'Don't Think'.
Indeed, also here's one of LB's comics about apple that I particularly liked:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xVIWRPqXmzA/TEAuL2aITXI/AAAAAAAAADc/8-cqrlIUDxg/s1600/AppleiShaft.png

If you haven't made the purchase yet, you should check out the sandisk fuze, it's one of the best (officially!) linux compatible PMPs that I've ever used. Plus its rockbox friendly (v1 more so than v2)

oregonbob
October 5th, 2010, 04:56 AM
I have iTunes. Used it for a long time because I had to. I can say with complete authority that iTunes is a piece of crap! Seriously why would anyone want iTunes? That is the klugiest junk I've seen in years. I hate it!

Dustin2128
October 5th, 2010, 05:26 AM
I have iTunes. Used it for a long time because I had to. I can say with complete authority that iTunes is a piece of crap! Seriously why would anyone want iTunes? That is the klugiest junk I've seen in years. I hate it!
mandatory ipod bloatware... but has anyone else seen those commercials for it? Seriously? Apple, your ipod users are already being forced to use this bloated music player just to transfer their songs, you don't need to shove it in their faces.

mayooresan
October 5th, 2010, 05:39 AM
I'd rather buy USB model MP3, MP4 Player which supports almost all the OS on earth. Why bother abt iPod and Steve Jobs?? :confused:

Spr0k3t
October 5th, 2010, 06:44 AM
Don't bother with apple products. Then you don't have to worry about itunes. There are many great alternatives out there which work flawlessly with any operating system you choose... even archaic beyond-dead ones. Let's not forget that you can get 32GB microSD cards now. In another year or two, the external removable storage medium MP3/OGG players are going to make the ipod all but obsolete. Sure, they will work great for those people out there who must tote the trendy metro-culturistic SUV of the portable music players but you have to ask yourself... "Do I really want to look like Bono?"

I digress. Some ipods will work with Linux, some better than others. Just be prepared for what kind of hassles you are up for if you do dawn the white corded ball and chain hoping for a happy ending with the box of Tux.

Dustin2128
October 5th, 2010, 07:09 AM
I digress. Some ipods will work with Linux, some better than others. Just be prepared for what kind of hassles you are up for if you do dawn the white corded ball and chain hoping for a happy ending with the box of Tux.
Well, you could always rockbox (http://www.rockbox.org/) an ipod classic >5.5g; but then you have to contend with spinning disk media. The fuze is still a better choice if you don't need large amounts of storage though.

Grenage
October 5th, 2010, 08:48 AM
Strictly as a music player, yes some of those are good (Cowon being, IMO, the best of the bunch audio-wise), but those aren't true alternatives since they offer much less functionality than the touch.

True, I forget that the touch in more than just an mp3 player.

Rinzwind
October 5th, 2010, 09:03 AM
Is there any alternative to an iPod Touch?

Cowon S9!


Strictly as a music player, yes some of those are good (Cowon being, IMO, the best of the bunch audio-wise), but those aren't true alternatives since they offer much less functionality than the touch.



What does the touch do that cowon does not have in their players?
Just to nag... Cowon let's you create your own menu and add your own features.

jrothwell97
October 5th, 2010, 09:14 AM
Cowon S9!



What does the touch do that cowon does not have in their players?
Just to nag... Cowon let's you create your own menu and add your own features.

Apart from a WebKit-based browser, a full API that isn't based on Flash, a calendar, a clock, a contacts manager, an e-mail app, a notes app, PDF viewing, (more than one) ebook store, a compass, a camera, a built-in music store, multitasking, an extremely high-resolution screen that can be viewed in direct sunlight and voice-activated controls out of the box?

Nothing. (Apart from MPEG-4 video.)

steev182
October 5th, 2010, 09:42 AM
That's why an Android device WITH access to the Marketplace is the best alternative to an iPod Touch

ronnielsen1
October 5th, 2010, 10:35 AM
Well, you could always rockbox an ipod classic
First thing my son did when he got an ipod is put rockbox on it. He preferred it

Jesus_Valdez
October 6th, 2010, 06:49 AM
So no real alternatives to an iPod Touch, because, well, I don't need another cell phone.


Let's face it, is a nice piece of hardware and it makes for some (myself included) iTunes a horrible must have.

mayooresan
October 6th, 2010, 08:34 AM
That's why an Android device WITH access to the Marketplace is the best alternative to an iPod Touch
Did you check Samsung Galaxy?? It looks very promising though I didn't get my hands on it.

pwnst*r
October 6th, 2010, 01:41 PM
So no real alternatives to an iPod Touch, because, well, I don't need another cell phone.


Let's face it, is a nice piece of hardware and it makes for some (myself included) iTunes a horrible must have.

???? <---


Did you check Samsung Galaxy?? It looks very promising though I didn't get my hands on it.

Not sure what a Samsung Galaxy has to do with anything. I'm sure the OP doesn't want to pay a monthly contract + $200 to purchase a Galaxy S when he probably already has a phone.

jrothwell97
October 6th, 2010, 04:51 PM
It's a shame: there is a definite gap in the market for a touchscreen MP3-player-cum-internet-tablet, á la the iPod Touch, running Android.

The trouble is that the music player software bundled with Android is rather lacking, in comparison to Apple's (understandably, given that it has had around ten years to mature since the original iPod and iTunes.) Given the wonders HTC have worked with the menu screen, there's no reason they couldn't turn their attention to the music player and create a great contract-free Android tablet.

pwnst*r
October 6th, 2010, 05:40 PM
It's a shame: there is a definite gap in the market for a touchscreen MP3-player-cum-internet-tablet, á la the iPod Touch, running Android.

The trouble is that the music player software bundled with Android is rather lacking, in comparison to Apple's (understandably, given that it has had around ten years to mature since the original iPod and iTunes.) Given the wonders HTC have worked with the menu screen, there's no reason they couldn't turn their attention to the music player and create a great contract-free Android tablet.

I can attest to and agree with that. Android's media handling is pathetic compared to an iPod/iPhone. I'm confident that this will be addressed in the future, but it's certainly lacking in this department.