There are lots of alternatives for non-iPhone/iTouch ipods. Most are free.
I don't know about the models you have, but the Sansas and Sonys I have seen can be loaded using Window explorer, or even the command line. They load as a usb mass storage device. on windows, Linux and Mac. On Sunday 04 October 2009 13:06:01 Harold M. Goldner wrote: > I have several, okay, too many mp3 players. I have Sansas (the Clip+ is a > fabulous product), a Zune (thanks to a Woot random crap win) and even a few > Sony stick-type players. I also have an iPod, and, of course, my Treo > 755p. > > iTunes works only with the iPod. Sandisk products work only with Windows > Media Player. The Zune works only with its miserable software. And the > Sony products only work with Sonic Audio (until recently when Sony migrated > to Windows Media Player). > > I prefer the Apple lossless format, but that precludes my playing files on > any other player. And don't get me started on video formats as between the > Sansa View, the Zune and the Ipod. > > Each have their own features. The Zune's screen is fantastic; the Clip's > size is amazing; and the Ipod's ability to hold my entire collection is > great. > > It would be great if everything talked to everything else, but I think > because of so many IP rights attaching to the media, it's a little > difficult to ensure that the stream of revenue heads in the right > direction. (I'm trying to figure out, for instance, how Sandisk makes > money on the slotradio format). > > If you want to find a lingua franca, you could look at Songbird, which > works with most Mp3 players (but has its own issues). > > If you're using an iPhone (what are you doing here?) you have conceded > other aspects of the handset to Apple, just as if you use a Treo you are > letting Palm determine what you can and cannot keep on its product to a > limited extent, and certainly from everything I've heard the Pre is locked > down pretty tight, too. > > Bottom line is that until all media is licensed and distributed along the > lines of creative commons, there will always be turf battles like this --- > but I agree with everybody else, it sure is fun to watch. > > Harold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
