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non-Apple mp3 players (Read 1126 times)

    I currently use an old shuffle for running, which is great, but I want to get a bigger mp3 player to use on road trips, for the wife to use around the house, etc.  I'm ass deep in iTunes tracks, so I hate to switch to another brand and have to convert files or do something tricky to play these songs. Plus as much as I want to hate Apple, I really like iTunes. Have any of you used iTunes Agent to manage your non-Apple device with iTunes? Just curious how well it really works. I'm not totally against buying an iPod, but there are some good players out there that are much less expensive.


    fanreffic

      I've used Itunes agent, and it works brilliantly.  Unfortunately, if all your music is in .aa format, itunes agent won't help another mp3 player play that format.  Works for podcasts, and mp3s stored on your computer that are organized in itunes though.
        I've used Itunes agent, and it works brilliantly.  Unfortunately, if all your music is in .aa format, itunes agent won't help another mp3 player play that format.  Works for podcasts, and mp3s stored on your computer that are organized in itunes though.

         

        Yeah that makes sense. I guess I'll just go with a refurb iPod. Thanks.

          For what it's worth you can always write out the itunes purchased files to audio CD format and then rip them back to .mp3 format (or whatever format you like) .  Then you  are no longer limited to apple devices. 

           

          That's not a quick solution but with a re-writable disk you could do you most popular stuff pretty quickly.

          yes, i'm really that slow.

            For what it's worth you can always write out the itunes purchased files to audio CD format and then rip them back to .mp3 format (or whatever format you like) .  Then you  are no longer limited to apple devices. 

             

            That's not a quick solution but with a re-writable disk you could do you most popular stuff pretty quickly.

             

            Yeah that's what I didn't want to have to do every time I purchase something. Thanks though.

            kjgienapp


              just curious, why do you not like apple ipods? i like them but i'm ass-deep in apple products . i'm always interested in why people don't like apple stuff. (i'm not looking to start a debate)
              PRs:
              mile: 4:30.2
              3k: 9:00.8
              5k: 15:33.4
              8k: 25:50.3
              10k: 32:57.7
              13.1: 1:14:38.4
              30k: 1:56:34.2
              26.2: 3:52:14.8

                Speaking only for myself, I don't like or dislike Apple products.  That seems to be assigning human traits to objects.

                 

                The simple answer for me is feature set. For those times when I do choose to use a player while running -- I use a non-Apple MP3 player for running because it has an FM radio and my IPod shuffle does not. When I have no plans to listen to a radio show, I will often use the IPod.

                Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
                  just curious, why do you not like apple ipods? i like them but i'm ass-deep in apple products . i'm always interested in why people don't like apple stuff. (i'm not looking to start a debate)

                   

                  I do like iPods actually. I like most of Apple's products. I just think they are all a bit overpriced. I don't like that music purchased through iTunes only plays on an iPod without rewriting/ripping it. I don't blame them for doing it...it's a brilliant way to lock people into their products, but I don't have to like it. Smile

                   

                    I buy more and more music from Amazon.  Single tracks are 99 cents just like iTunes, but popular albums are sometimes significantly cheaper on Amazon.  Plus, they're in mp3 format so I can play them anywhere.  The Amazon download tool has a button that allows me to import them directly into my iTunes library.  Maybe not as convenient as iTunes, but it's a pretty good alternative.


                    Giddyup.

                      Speaking only for myself, I don't like or dislike Apple products.  That seems to be assigning human traits to objects.

                       

                       

                      wha?

                       

                      There's all kinds of stuff I like and dislike. That seems pretty normal.

                       

                      Specific to the shuffle, I think they are inferior to similar products in that price range... *some* Apple lovers love them without really knowing that, yes, they can buy products with more features that will last far longer... but really they are locked in anyway because of itunes so it really doesn't matter.  And that's really the deal.  Apple doesn't need to improve the shuffle.  For a person who is tied to itunes, the shuffle is the way to go.  Just get ready to replace them A LOT.

                      Ultima tastes like failure.

                      beatlemaniac


                        Speaking only for myself, I don't like or dislike Apple products.  That seems to be assigning human traits to objects.

                         

                         

                        I like my new running shoes - they shure are purty.

                        I need some goals for 2011...
                          I detest my iPod and iTunes. I run with a Samsung P3. Much easier to use, it has an FM tuner, Bluetooth, and a built in tiny speaker. It's a bit bulky though. I can't pretend to be unbiased though - I work for Samsung. BUT, I've owned their mp3 players for years and never had a problem.

                          I don't half-ass anything

                           

                          "I have several close friends who have run marathons, a word that is actually derived from two Swahili words: mara, which means 'to die a horrible death' and thon, which means 'for a stupid T-shirt.' Look it up." - Celia Rivenbark, You Can't Drink All Day if You Don't Start in the Morning

                           


                          Samwise the Slow

                             

                             For a person who is tied to itunes, the shuffle is the way to go.  Just get ready to replace them A LOT.

                             

                            Maybe I am the exception, but I have my IPod since December 2006.  Its a second generation Nano and I use it everyday, for the last 2 years I have been running with it.  No problems yet.  I love it and I agree that Itunes is very easy to use.  Don't know about the expense, I am an audio book hound and borrow out from the library.  I used to have Iriver MP3 players, but those, for me, did not last more than 12 months.  Went through 3 models before I finally got my Nano.


                            Giddyup.

                              My comment was specific to the shuffle.  My iriver lasted several years.

                              Ultima tastes like failure.


                              Samwise the Slow

                                Yes, I was cursed with Irivers-- I loved them and thought the interface was easy, but I just couldn't get them to last.

                                 

                                I know the OP referenced his shuffle specifically, but the subsequent comments opened it up to Ipod products, so I thought I would share my own personal experience. 

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