Techie Titbits

How to upload/download audio/video from iPod to any computer without using iTunes?

Have you ever felt limited by iTunes? If yes, then this is for you. Personally, the main reason I wanted to get rid of iTunes, is its binding to one computer. If you want to upload or download audio/video from any computer using simple drag-and-drop, if you want have more flexibility with your multimedia file sharing then Floola is the way to go. It also has two versions - windows and mac, you can load both of them on your ipod and can access both windows and mac systems. What's more? It's completely FREE. Here is how you get started with this wonderful software -

1. Download the software from Floola download page. Select the operating system of your choice.
2. If you freshly formatted or restored your iPod, you'll need to run iTunes once and copy at least one song. (I know this is bit of an irony. But you have to do it anyway.)
   
3. Unzip the downloaded file and run the executable file.
4. Floola might ask you to set up the iPod automatically. It will be easier that way. If you want set up your ipod manually or have other installation issues, follow the floola installation guide.
5. Copy the executable file to your iPod. Now you can run the software in any computer that you connect your iPod to. That is where it's flexibility lies.
6. Run the software if it's not already running. Click Item -> Add... as shown below to open the 'add to iPod' dialouge box


7. Drag files or folder in this box and click 'Add'. Files will be uploaded to your iPod.
8. You can use Floola to change properties of the files, delete them or even play them.
9. Close Floola and eject iPod before you disconnect the gadget.
10. Next time you connect it to any computer, just run the executable floola file in the iPod that you had earlier copied into it. For PC/Mac run the appropriate PC/Mac executable version.
    

Hereby your iPod is declared free from the shackles of iTunes and a single computer.