iLounge

1

“Sima says the $150 device can transfer a music album in 80 seconds, a digital photo in 3 seconds, and a two-hour video in 12 minutes.”

Um, I can do it in less time than that using my ibook. Why do I need this?

Posted by Wheesht on June 23, 2006 at 9:15 AM (PST)

2

Ohhh. So this can “take” things from friends to you and you to friends? Hm..

Posted by Wrekognized on June 23, 2006 at 9:24 AM (PST)

3

but won’t the new songs just be lost once you connevt your ipod back to your computer? even if you have it set to manual, then it would still be a pain to get them on your computer and into itunes

Posted by Bradley on June 23, 2006 at 9:39 AM (PST)

4

Anyone who would use this device and *doesn’t* know how to get the files back to their computer deserves to lose them.  Seriously.  It’s ridculously easy to transfer files off the iPod to avoid iTunes wiping them out.

When in iTunes going to get smart and start SYNCING, by the way?  One-way push is not syncing, it’s one-way push.

Posted by stark23x on June 23, 2006 at 10:48 AM (PST)

5

@stark23x

I don’t understand the nature of your question about iTunes syncing. If you have content on your iPod that iTunes didn’t put on there, where did you get it from? I know you’ll probably say that there are legitimate ways to accomplish this (you own multiple computers), but only a very small percentage of people would try to use it in that way.

I guess protected songs can’t play on another iPod that iTunes hasn’t authorized, or can they?

Posted by coolfactor on June 23, 2006 at 12:14 PM (PST)

6

80 seconds?? hmmm…..

Posted by kloan on June 23, 2006 at 2:48 PM (PST)

7

isn’t the whole point of this delightful device so that you can just drag and drop content from your friend’s iPod??  I’m surprised it’s even legal—-when the price drops it’s something to really think about—-

Posted by andrew Chasnoff on June 23, 2006 at 6:18 PM (PST)

8

Bradley——I see what you’re saying…i didn’t really think of that…

Posted by andrew Chasnoff on June 23, 2006 at 6:19 PM (PST)

9

$150? Wow. That’s quite a bit more than can be expected. About a year ago I discovered a similar device, advertised as being able to copy memory sticks or photos from cameras, but a guy on a forum had mentioned it could work between iPods too.

It’s called the Center Syncbox II. It looks as if it’s recently been bought out by Macally, but if so, then supply has barely changed, it’s still around. I bought mine from pearl.fr, the guy who had discovered it bought it from pearl.de.

It has 2 female USB ports, Up, Back, Down, Forward and Select buttons, and allows you to copy and delete files between anny USB devices. Unfortunately, it goes at USB 1 speed, but it charges the devices nonetheless. It runs of 3 AAA batteries, and I would reccomend rechargeables: it eats them. No scrollwheel, but it’s a lot cheaper than this device now getting the news. It has an LCD, and has worked very well for me so far.

It costs 40€, about $50 american right now. That’s a third of the price, so it should be worth considering.

Don’t forget that these devices are also useful, when coupled with a card reader, as a camera to iPod option, like the Belkin Media Reader.

But there’s a problem. All of these devices face Apple’s folder structure. This means that they only copy files between hard disks. Apple’s folders with music in are hidden (not a problem for the Syncbox II luckily), but also have files stored in an irritating way. They’re in one of 50 different folders, no guide as to which, and are named as such: PBJK.mp3. So, without parsing the iTunesDB file, then it’s very difficult to choose the files you want: you have to steal the lot, and their iTunesDB file. That takes quite a while over USB on the Syncbox, it may be faster with this device. But the point is, you need more free space than the size of their iPod, and need to see a computer before you can free up any of that space.

You also can’t listen immediately, Bradley and coolfactor. You’ll be copying onto the iPod hard disk, like when you choose “Enable iPod Disk Mode” in iTunes. That’s how you get iPod content without iTunes. Doesn’t do much though. So you can’t play your songs before you see a computer, or find some way using iPodLinux to rebuild your iTunesDB.

Weesht, yes, iBooks are faster and better. But they’re also larger and more expensive when taking on service projects to Tanzania, for example (I leave on thursday).

It’s also good as a Belkin Media Reader alternative (cheaper), because when doubled with a card reader and retractable USB cable, then you can copy photos off the card onto your iPod. It’s a lot cheaper than the alternatives when used like this.

Enjoy your weekends, and I hope that this comment can serve to advertise the Syncbox II a bit, it’s great but has never been very popular (no, I don’t work and am not paid by Center for saying this. I’m just a happy consumer).

Peter Burkimsher

Posted by Peter Burkimsher on June 23, 2006 at 11:42 PM (PST)