Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

bee girl · Oct 19, 2004, 03:46 PM

Does anyone know of a portable MP3 player that works with iTunes? I am looking for something ultra light for running, and relatively inexpensive.

thanks

Spheric Harlot · Oct 19, 2004, 04:28 PM

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93548

(note that most all other "unsupported" players show up as removable media in the Finder - provided they support the USB mass storage protocol - , so you can easily just drag songs to them from the iTunes window.)

Nodnarb · Oct 19, 2004, 05:40 PM

If you have never used an iPod mini, I strongly recommend checking it out. Picking it up and messing around with it shows that it is way lighter and smaller then expected. Also, I know a few people who have mini's and they use them for jogging/exercising all the time with an armband and have no problem. I have an iPod, so I don't know first hand, but I've used my parents iPod mini for running and it is excellent.

Spheric Harlot · Oct 19, 2004, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by brandon420506:
If you have never used an iPod mini, I strongly recommend checking it out. Picking it up and messing around with it shows that it is way lighter and smaller then expected.

mind: if you ever do get to play with an iPod mini for a couple of minutes, you WILL want one.

I'm not sure I have ever encountered anything that was quite as desirable as that little bastard.

I'm serious.

Damn you, Apple!

Ratspittle · Oct 19, 2004, 09:56 PM

[off topic]
hey bee girl! its your brother-in-law here. glad to see you took my advice to post here. I am sure these folks will point you in the right direction. (unless they get into an argument first

[back to topic]

tonton · Oct 21, 2004, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93548

(note that most all other "unsupported" players show up as removable media in the Finder - provided they support the USB mass storage protocol - , so you can easily just drag songs to them from the iTunes window.)

Despite what Apple says on that page, none of those players support AAC, even unprotected. You'll be limited to MP3 for those players.

For the longest time the only flash based players that supported AAC were from Panasonic, and the Pamasonic players did not support drag and drop or iTunes. Now I notice these:

Clicky

But checking out user reviews, I haven't found that any of these can support drag and drop or iTunes, meaning NO MAC COMPATIBILITY WHATSOEVER. They all have their own software to manage files.

Plus almost all of those players are either as expensive, or more expensive than the iPod Mini.

Check out the Mini. It's small enough.

im_noahselby · Oct 21, 2004, 05:01 AM

The iPod mini is totally awesome! If it weren't for the small HD capacity, I would have one in my hands right now. It was much smaller than I initially thought, after testing one out in the store. Check it out: http://www.apple.com/ipodmini/

Noah

bee girl · Oct 22, 2004, 09:03 AM

Can this many mac nerds be wrong?? (Strictly rhetorical-heehee) I will most likely give in and go for the mini. It just makes the most sense when you consider how much music is in iTunes at home, the drag and drop is so easy to to use - how could I resist? Anyway, seems like someone told me that running with extra weight will just make me stronger... (thanks Ratspittle)

Spheric Harlot · Oct 22, 2004, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by tonton:
Despite what Apple says on that page, none of those players support AAC, even unprotected. You'll be limited to MP3 for those players.

For the longest time the only flash based players that supported AAC were from Panasonic, and the Pamasonic players did not support drag and drop or iTunes. Now I notice these:

Clicky

But checking out user reviews, I haven't found that any of these can support drag and drop or iTunes, meaning NO MAC COMPATIBILITY WHATSOEVER. They all have their own software to manage files.

wait:

In order to install MP3 files (or WMA & AAC formats) to the memory card, you have to use the RealONE player to convert it to Panasonic's SD audio format first - a real DRAG. With other MP3 players, you just copy the files directly into the player or memory card and go.

By what stretch of the imagination can these players be considered "mp3 players" if THEY DON'T SUPPORT MP3S?

iPoder · Oct 22, 2004, 12:23 PM

You might want to wait a little bit longer...

If this rumor is true, Apple will come out a flash memory based iPod by the end of the year.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index...&pagePos=5

Nodnarb · Oct 22, 2004, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by iPoder:
You might want to wait a little bit longer...

If this rumor is true, Apple will come out a flash memory based iPod by the end of the year.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index...&pagePos=5

I was just about to post the same thing. When apple has that event with U2 next week, I'm betting they announce (keyword announce, not realease) the 60 gig ipod and the flash based one. However, I don't think these will be available until late November/early December.
BeeGirl- It depends how much music you have or plan on getting. If it is anywhere near 1000 songs, go for the mini, you won't be dissapointed. But if you don't have that much music, it might be benificial and see how the flash based thing pans out.