Using an iPod is easy once you know how. Follow the tips in this article and you'll be uploading music (games, videos, audiobooks, podcasts) like an expert.
1) Get the music onto your hard drive
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
You'll use an "iPod manager" application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple's free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You're welcome to look at the other options -- Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don't like about iTunes you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.
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
Connect your iPod to the computer with the USB cable that came with your iPod. (Yes, I know most of you knew this...just playing it safe.) The iPod should appear on the left-hand menu.
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.
Will you manage uploads manually? You'll need to do a quick, one-time setup. In iTunes, click the nano's icon and select "Manually manage music and videos" on the iTunes screen. Now you just select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon. Voila! The music uploads.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Always, always, always click the eject button on the lower-right corner of the iTunes screen. Don't risk corrupting your iPod files.
6) Find more cool stuff!
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) Get the music onto your hard drive
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
You'll use an "iPod manager" application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple's free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You're welcome to look at the other options -- Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don't like about iTunes you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.
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
Connect your iPod to the computer with the USB cable that came with your iPod. (Yes, I know most of you knew this...just playing it safe.) The iPod should appear on the left-hand menu.
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.
Will you manage uploads manually? You'll need to do a quick, one-time setup. In iTunes, click the nano's icon and select "Manually manage music and videos" on the iTunes screen. Now you just select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon. Voila! The music uploads.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Always, always, always click the eject button on the lower-right corner of the iTunes screen. Don't risk corrupting your iPod files.
6) Find more cool stuff!
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 where to go to get more downloads to play on your iPod nano at her website, Nanos Reviewed. You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.
