# Ipod Nano ? and general bitch. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 26, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659 "2006-12-26T20:52:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/1 "2006-12-26T20:52:27Z")
The iPod Nano is perhaps the worse piece of shit that I have ever encountered. The software is cluggy and just plain bizarre. There does not seem to be any way to download songs to the iPod. It, just won’t. The iTunes software does nothing. I’m a programmer. And I have spent the last FIVE fucking hours trying to get this thing to work (it was a gift for my wife). It will not download any existing MP3’s. It doesn’t even recognize that you have them. It does not see them. I can point to them. But when I try to load them in the Nano, nothing happens. It just ignores everything. I got nothing. Oh, yeah. The stupid thing came with a few cartoons for instructions. Great. grrrrrr enipla ---
**Author:** ![tashabot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tashabot/32/6250_2.png) [@tashabot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tashabot)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/2 "2006-12-26T20:57:09Z")
Which operating system are you using? Windows or Mac? When you plug your iPod in with iTunes running, does a thing at the top say anything akin to “Updating iPod?” What I do with my boyfriend’s iPod is I create a playlist and then I upload it to the iPod. A button appears on my iTunes if it recognizes the iPod. If your computer is not recognizing the iPod, you have a definite problem. If it is and you just can’t get it to upload, you might need to update your iTunes (the disc that comes with the iPod is not necessarily the most updated version - [apple.com](http://apple.com) always has it). From what I hear, those who are computer-inept do it just fine, while those of us that are computer-savvy have problems most of the time. 🙂 Thing took me three hours to figure out. ~Tasha ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/3 "2006-12-26T21:06:10Z")
I’m on a 2 year old dell with XP. I have booted it a couple of times. The USB port seems to be doing fine. It has charged the Ipod in any case. I just want to transfer some .mp3’s into it. Or anything. When I go to the iTunes software on my computer, I can’t put songs into the playlist. I’m gonna call Apple. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/4 "2006-12-26T21:06:32Z")
Ugh, don’t get me started. I got both of my kids a Nano for Christmas…the girl’s worked and the boy’s didn’t. We spent hours trying to bring the damn thing to life, but we’re going to have to ship it back to them. Then the boy’s remote control helicopter wouldn’t do anything but spin in a circle. By mid-morning, the kid was looking pretty glum. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/5 "2006-12-26T21:12:51Z")
huh, I’ve had a nano for over a year and the only time I had real problems with was shortly after I got water in it. :rolleyes: Then it dried out and worked fine. I got my daughter one for her birthday and hers works fine, too. I’m medium-computer savvy and my iTunes software is ok, too. Guess I’m just lucky. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/6 "2006-12-26T21:21:32Z")
grrrrrr. Just called Apple. The automated system was no help and there was no way on the phone tree to talk to a real person. 4 times. “Call back later” Can’t even go on hold. I’m getting a bit agravated. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/7 "2006-12-26T21:28:20Z")
Try the web site. Ha ha ha! Just kidding. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/8 "2006-12-26T21:36:40Z")
**enipla** , I bet there are Dopers who could help you out if you described the problem in a little more detail. Is iTunes detecting your songs and showing them in the library? What specifically is happening when you connect the iPod? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/9 "2006-12-26T21:38:21Z")
Heh. Typing one hand now cause of the phone. I’m on hold hold. Sad sort of I bought the Ipod for my wife, and she bought me an EXPENSIVE Garmin GPS60. But the GPS unit did not have the 8 digit code to download maps with it. And Garmin is closed today. Sooooooo……. After Hours at Gamin’s site (it sucks) and talking to the folks that sold it to us, there was nothing we can do with out that code. But by God I’m gonna get something figured out today. Even the little IPOD. I,m at 8 hours now trying to get something figured out. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/10 "2006-12-26T21:45:22Z")
Yeah, I’d need a little more detail. (Windows user here who’s owned an iPod for 5 months and adores it, previously thought they were stupid.) I’m not sure what you mean by “put songs onto the playlist.” On iPods, a “playlist” is a subset of the songs currently on the iPod, like “my upbeat exercise set,” etc. Are you having trouble creating a playlist, or transferring songs to the iPod? If the latter, have you used iTunes and chosen the “add folders to library” option to snag your music folders into the iTunes “library” of music for the iPod? ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/11 "2006-12-27T00:06:12Z")
Are your mp3 files already imported into iTunes or had you been playing them with another player? If they’re not in iTunes, import them there. If you can get the software to recognize the Nano, when you have iTunes open, try going to File–\>sync So and so’s ipod If it’s not even recognizing the Nano, I’ve got nothing else to help you. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/12 "2006-12-27T00:15:05Z")
1: DL the latest verion of itunes 2: Use a different USB port on your machine (preferably one that’s not adjacent to the one you’re trying now). ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/13 "2006-12-27T00:26:10Z")
Should have bought a [Zune](http://www.zunescene.com/). [sub]_Just kidding…_[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/14 "2006-12-27T00:30:09Z")
I think I have it figured out. Not for sure though. The iTunes must import into it’s “music” database before it can be transferred into a play list. The play list import function lets you browse for stuff (on C:\ [the MP3’s are already there])…… but you can’t do a damn thing with it. It. Just. Hangs. The instructions are less then helpful. If I even dare call them instructions. GAAAAA. Got a new Garmin GPS unit for X-mas too. But the code to down load maps is missing. It’s supposed to be included with the CD. It isn’t there. Garmin, is of corse, closed today, the day after Christmas. Fine. Everyone needs time off. I do too. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/15 "2006-12-27T00:38:59Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to The BBQ Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/16 "2006-12-27T00:57:52Z")
Maybe the music _is_ playing and your headphones are bad. Just throwin’ that out there. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/17 "2006-12-27T01:48:33Z")
[QUOTE=enipla] grrrrrr. Just called Apple. The automated system was no help and there was no way on the phone tree to talk to a real person. 4 times. “Call back later” Can’t even go on hold. I’m getting a bit agravated. [/QUOTE] there’s a secret to getting past Apple’s automated phone attendant… just keep yelling “Operator” as the response for every question, it may take 3 or 4 tries, but at some point the software will get confused and exasperated and dump you to an Operator (an actual live _person_) ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/18 "2006-12-27T02:02:36Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The play list import function lets you browse for stuff (on C:\ [the MP3’s are already there])….. but you can’t do a damn thing with it. If I’m understanding this correctly, by doing this, you are telling iTunes to import a playlist. This is different from telling it to see bunch of mp3s on your hard drive. What you need to do is tell iTunes where your mp3s are stored. This is done by choosing the Edit menu and choosing Preferences. On the Advanced tab is a field at the top that says “iTunes Music location”. If the file path there isn’t pointing to the directory you keep your mp3s in, use the Change button to select it. Your songs should show up in the lefthand Source window, under Library. From there, you should be able to drag-and-drop mp3 files from anywhere onto iTunes’ window (make sure your iPod is selected under Source). The iTunes interface: [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304706](http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304706) Adding songs from your hard drive to iTunes: > **[iPod touch - Official Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/ipod-touch)** > > Learn how to set up and use your iPod touch. Find all the topics, resources, and contact options you need for your iPod touch. > [@](#): > > If you already have digital music files (MP3, AIFF, WAV, and what have you), audiobooks (Audible—.aa—format only), and video files (any QuickTime-compatible movie file) on your hard drive, adding them to your iTunes library is easy. Simply locate the files that you want to add to iTunes and drag them (one at a time or all together) onto the Library icon in the iTunes Source list. Adding songs from iTunes to your iPod: > **[iPod touch - Official Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/ipod-touch)** > > Learn how to set up and use your iPod touch. Find all the topics, resources, and contact options you need for your iPod touch. > [@](#): > > If you want your iTunes library and your iPod to mirror the same content, select the “Automatically update all songs and playlists” radio button. (This will replace all existing iPod content with your current iTunes library and playlist content, so don’t select this option if you want to preserve what you’ve got on your player.) If you’d rather have iTunes sync only songs in certain playlists, select the “Automatically update selected playlists only” radio button, then select the checkbox next to each playlist you want to sync. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/19 "2006-12-27T02:08:11Z")
Why don’t you try sticking in a CD in your computer and put a couple songs on your playlist and see if you can manage to get a few songs on your ipod. If you can, it might not be the ipod. The music on your computer are mp3’s, right? ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659/20 "2006-12-27T02:15:07Z")
People who are use to dealing with directories and file extensions and simple drag and drop MP3 players will probably find the iPod/iTunes interface bizzare and confusing. I certainly did. I think people who don’t know much about computers will find it somehow MORE intuitive, in that if you follow the process exactly step by step, iTunes will present your music in a reasonably simple way, abeit one that is extremely inelegant underneath. After that it works reasonably well, just remember it’s designed to be used by complete ignoramuses. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-and-general-bitch/385659.md?page=2)