Congratulations on your new iPod nano! In a few minutes we'll have you uploading music to your iPod nano and ready to roll. More interested in playing videos, games or audiobooks? No worries. Once you're uploading music to your nano you'll know how to upload all the other goodies too.
1) Load the music files onto your computer
Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.
2) Import the music into your iPod manager
An "iPod manager" handles moving files to and from the iPod. For most of us, Apple's free iTunes software fills the bill. But, there are other choices if you decide you don't like iTunes. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes.
Don't worry, using iTunes to manage your iPod doesn't keep you from buying music at other stores. I buy music downloads from Amazon and eMusic, in addition to iTunes.
Decide if you'd like to have all your files in one location on the computer. If so, it's easiest if you tell iTunes to copy all the files there for you. In iTunes choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library."
Now it's time to import to iTunes. One of the easiest ways is to click File, Add Folder to Library, and select the directory (or CD) holding your music. Click the "OK" button and iTunes will import the music to the library. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.
3) Connect your PC and your nano
If your iPod isn't already connected, get your USB cable (came with your iPod) out and connect the computer and iPod. The left-hand menu should show your iPod when it's successfully connected.
Now, decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.
4) Finally! Start uploading music to your nano
If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.
If you decided to manage uploading manually you have a one-time setup to complete. Click your iPod's icon and select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. Now, select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Last step: Eject your iPod before disconnecting
Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.
6) Go find more music
Now that you have the hang of it, it's time to go find more music, podcasts, games and videos for your iPod nano. I get my podcasts via iTunes, which has a terrific list. Music, games and videos, on the other hand, can be found in a lot of other stores for very reasonable prices. See my web site for suggestions.
1) Load the music files onto your computer
Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.
2) Import the music into your iPod manager
An "iPod manager" handles moving files to and from the iPod. For most of us, Apple's free iTunes software fills the bill. But, there are other choices if you decide you don't like iTunes. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes.
Don't worry, using iTunes to manage your iPod doesn't keep you from buying music at other stores. I buy music downloads from Amazon and eMusic, in addition to iTunes.
Decide if you'd like to have all your files in one location on the computer. If so, it's easiest if you tell iTunes to copy all the files there for you. In iTunes choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library."
Now it's time to import to iTunes. One of the easiest ways is to click File, Add Folder to Library, and select the directory (or CD) holding your music. Click the "OK" button and iTunes will import the music to the library. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.
3) Connect your PC and your nano
If your iPod isn't already connected, get your USB cable (came with your iPod) out and connect the computer and iPod. The left-hand menu should show your iPod when it's successfully connected.
Now, decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.
4) Finally! Start uploading music to your nano
If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.
If you decided to manage uploading manually you have a one-time setup to complete. Click your iPod's icon and select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. Now, select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Last step: Eject your iPod before disconnecting
Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.
6) Go find more music
Now that you have the hang of it, it's time to go find more music, podcasts, games and videos for your iPod nano. I get my podcasts via iTunes, which has a terrific list. Music, games and videos, on the other hand, can be found in a lot of other stores for very reasonable prices. See my web site for suggestions.
About the Author:
Lydia reviews the best sites to get more downloads to play on your iPod nano at her website, Nanos Reviewed.
