[Jernberg]

Yes, it's true! The iPod has a built in copy protection that won't let users download MP3 files from the iPod to another Macintosh computer... This really sucks! Does this mean that I cannot sync my MP3 libraries at home + work??

Read about it @ Nytimes online, link below.

"But just how easy MP3 players are to use is a matter of some concern to the record industry. The industry has expressed concern that songs encoded in the MP3 format — a popular digital format into which songs can be converted and stored — can be easily pirated or traded freely, as on services like Napster.

Mr. Jobs said the company had taken some steps to protect against piracy in its device. For instance, he said, songs loaded onto the iPod from a Macintosh computer, cannot then be loaded from the device to a different Macintosh computer, a step he said would make it difficult for people to distribute music they own to other users.

The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the major record labels, declined to comment on the iPod."

Full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/24/technology/24APPL.html ?ex=1004587200&en=307bf3c18ae6c5cb&ei=5035 &partner=MARKETWATCH

[ 10-24-2001: Message edited by: Jernberg ]

[Immortal K-Mart Employee]

I don't think so. It must be a mistake. This is from APPLE's site:

"Updating your iPod music collection
Say you have a Mac at home and another at school or work. You can update your iPod music collection from either Mac. When you first connect iPod with your Mac, iPod recognizes it as your primary computer. From then on, it automatically updates your music on iPod to match the music library on that computer. When connecting to a different Mac, a dialog box asks if you want to link your iPod with this new iTunes Library making it your new primary computer."

[Dr. K]

Yes you can transfer files from one Mac to another, Apple's own FAQ PDF on the iPod says so:
"Q. I have a computer at home and one at work. Can I update my iPod
music collection from more than one Mac?
A. Yes. When you first connect iPod with your Mac, iPod will recognize it as your primary computer. In the future, it will automatically update your music on iPod to match the music library on that computer without prompting. When you connect iPod to a different Mac, iPod asks for permission before updating your music to synchronize with this computer. If you choose to automatically update your iPod music from another computer, the music
already on your iPod is replaced to match the music library on the second computer, and this system is now recognized by iPod as your primary computer. Because synchronization occurs only one way, from your Mac to your iPod, your music collection cannot be auto-matically updated between your two computers using iPod. To transfer music between your
computers, or to add songs to iPod from both systems, you can selectively drag and drop songs, albums, or playlists between iPod and either computer using the manual update mode."

You can also boot from it if you have System folder on it!!

[doctre]

Ahh... but that can mean that it will wipe itself and upload the files that are on the new mac to the iPod.

[Jerommeke]

so shortly said if i understand all these things

it will only work if I do't use iTunes for copying mp3's to it

[jguidroz]

As long as your itunes library does not equal or exceed the 5gb hard drive in the iPod, the remaining hard drive space can be used as an external hard drive. So you can copy files between two computers using this part of the device. Now something to think about, did Apple prevent copying of audio files to this part of the device? If it did, then yes it has music copy protection. Secondly, if they did not prevent this, these songs can not be played by iPod, but can be transferred between computers.

[BobVB]

nally posted by jguidroz:
<STRONG>As long as your itunes library does not equal or exceed the 5gb hard drive in the iPod, the remaining hard drive space can be used as an external hard drive. So you can copy files between two computers using this part of the device. Now something to think about, did Apple prevent copying of audio files to this part of the device?</STRONG>[/QUOTE]

Unlikely since that would require it to be something other than just a mounted firewire drive. But the FAQ does specifically say that files copied in this manner can not be played by the iPod.

The iPod FAQ:
<STRONG>To transfer music between your computers, or to add songs to iPod from both systems, you can selectively drag and drop songs, albums, or playlists between iPod and either computer using the manual update mode.</STRONG>

This will be great, but... is it legal? I thought one of the requirements of a digital playback device like this was that you weren't supposed to be able to digitally copy the audio file back off the device. Wasn't that bugaboo one of the things that delayed the very first mp3 players?

It would seem possible in iTunes. You have an iPod list, and you could just drag the songs you want from there to either the library or the desktop unless something prevents you from doing it.

So if this is true, I don't see why Steve Jobs thought this would be 'difficult' at all.

[ 10-24-2001: Message edited by: BobVB ]