Engadget Editorial: Hey Apple, why does it take an hour to put an album on my iPod?

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Wanted my credit card info before it would do that.

Theres a way to make an Apple ID without a credit card.

 

[NaOH]

Are all your music files already in the iTunes Music Folder (ie did you consolidate all the music)? It could be that iTunes needs to transfer it from different areas and then onto the iPod.

I have my music manually managed, by me (into seperating folders by letter and artist), on a seperate harddrive that iTunes isn't installed on. I dropped my entire music folder into the iTunes library (drag and drop). It processed the songs (just like FooBar does), and then I check the box that says, sync only checked songs. I can use the search tool to filter out what I want and mass check them. I hit sync, and it's done in under 5 minutes (more if I have big apps like games it needs to backup). So iTunes, doesn't NEED control of your music in anyway. I have songs purchased from amazon, itunes, and mainly my own CDs. They can be anywhere on the computer and from different folders. They just NEED to be drag and dropped into iTunes library (which is onto the program itself, similiar of how you do it with Foobar).

What makes it nice is, I have an iPod for my car that can fit all my music, and an iPhone that can't. I use the "sync only checked songs" feature for my iPhone. But when I plug in my iPod, it uses the, "sync everything" mode that it remembers. I literally just have to update my library (which is drag and drop).

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

So iTunes, doesn't NEED control of your music in anyway. I have songs purchased from amazon, itunes, and mainly my own CDs. They can be anywhere on the computer and from different folders. They just NEED to be drag and dropped into iTunes library (which is onto the program itself, similiar of how you do it with Foobar).

I realize that. I was just saying that the slow syncing could have been attributed by the fact that iTunes has to go get the song from different locations.

 

[NaOH]

I realize that. I was just saying that the slow syncing could have been attributed by the fact that iTunes has to go get the song from different locations.

Yeah, I guess I added more onto my statement then was directed at you. I don't know how his setup is, but that's possible. I just know mine is on a seperate harddrive just for media and divided up into a billion subfolders and it's pretty speedy.

 

[zerocool84]

The common theme is that they know iTunes has nanny settings on default, yet take no time to learn to turn them off or use the program properly, and then go on to blame the program.

So then it doesn't just work out of the box then. So it takes some tweaking. That's sure doesn't sound like Apple to me.

 

[Glitchny]

i generally delete it when it shows up

Same here. Cover art is useless... I'm listening to music, which involves my ears not my eyes, I couldn't care less about what the album cover looks like.

 

[akugami]

I would be thrilled if there was an Android sub-forum and Apple trolls were forced to stay out of Android threads, but there's not, there's only an Apple sub-forum. Is it too much to ask that Apple trolls stay there? What's the point of an "All things Apple" sub forum if you're just going to fill up GG&P with this crap?

Edit - Ok I just read the rest of Zen0's posts in this thread and cheezy isn't quite as close as I thought. Zen0 your schtick was funny at first but it's getting kind of old.

Please tell me that you two can see the difference between normal fanboys that aren't too annoying, and obvious trolls like Zen0? Cheezy is approaching that territory. Cheezy if you can't understand why you're starting to get lumped into the same group as Zen0 I suggest you re-read the post I just quoted.

Clearly you are missing the point. There are many many users who are self professed Android users and who would never ever use an Apple product. They regularly go into a thread clearly titled as relating to Apple products only and would have no reference to Android except incidentally. These users go there with the express purpose of trolling. You're complaining about some overly enthusiastic Apple users but you completely give a free pass to the overly enthusiastic Android users. And I'm trying to be nice in labeling them enthusiasts considering the blatant trolling by some of these said Android users. You're only remembering anyone you consider an "Apple troll" and ignoring the many "Android trolls" that are running around.

This is a Gadgets and Gear forum. Last I checked, iPods, iPads, iPhones are all part of that. This is a much more popular sub forum than the All Things Apple sub forum. I've posted Apple related news in the Apple forum and barely gotten any hits when someone else posts the same news later in the Gadgets forum and gotten way more hits. I'm more inclined to post in this forum than the Apple only one unless the news/issue/discussion is based upon Apple's Macintosh computers and not one of Apple's mobile gadgets like phones and tablets. I'll bet anything that with an Android sub forum the same thing will happen. More people will read the Gadgets and Gear forum and mostly ignore the Android forum.

 

[simonizor]

Clearly you are missing the point. There are many many users who are self professed Android users and who would never ever use an Apple product. They regularly go into a thread clearly titled as relating to Apple products only and would have no reference to Android except incidentally. These users go there with the express purpose of trolling. You're complaining about some overly enthusiastic Apple users but you completely give a free pass to the overly enthusiastic Android users. And I'm trying to be nice in labeling them enthusiasts considering the blatant trolling by some of these said Android users. You're only remembering anyone you consider an "Apple troll" and ignoring the many "Android trolls" that are running around.

This is a Gadgets and Gear forum. Last I checked, iPods, iPads, iPhones are all part of that. This is a much more popular sub forum than the All Things Apple sub forum. I've posted Apple related news in the Apple forum and barely gotten any hits when someone else posts the same news later in the Gadgets forum and gotten way more hits. I'm more inclined to post in this forum than the Apple only one unless the news/issue/discussion is based upon Apple's Macintosh computers and not one of Apple's mobile gadgets like phones and tablets. I'll bet anything that with an Android sub forum the same thing will happen. More people will read the Gadgets and Gear forum and mostly ignore the Android forum.

These forums are about 50% troll posting. Get used to it.

 

[JD50]

Clearly you are missing the point. There are many many users who are self professed Android users and who would never ever use an Apple product. They regularly go into a thread clearly titled as relating to Apple products only and would have no reference to Android except incidentally. These users go there with the express purpose of trolling. You're complaining about some overly enthusiastic Apple users but you completely give a free pass to the overly enthusiastic Android users. And I'm trying to be nice in labeling them enthusiasts considering the blatant trolling by some of these said Android users. You're only remembering anyone you consider an "Apple troll" and ignoring the many "Android trolls" that are running around.

This is a Gadgets and Gear forum. Last I checked, iPods, iPads, iPhones are all part of that. This is a much more popular sub forum than the All Things Apple sub forum. I've posted Apple related news in the Apple forum and barely gotten any hits when someone else posts the same news later in the Gadgets forum and gotten way more hits. I'm more inclined to post in this forum than the Apple only one unless the news/issue/discussion is based upon Apple's Macintosh computers and not one of Apple's mobile gadgets like phones and tablets. I'll bet anything that with an Android sub forum the same thing will happen. More people will read the Gadgets and Gear forum and mostly ignore the Android forum.

Please show me anyone as annoying and more trollish with regards to Apple or Android than Zen0. You might find a few posts that rival Zen0, but you will not find someone with as many posts in such a short period of time. Everyone knows this.

 

[akugami]

These forums are about 50% troll posting. Get used to it.

I am used to it being a former frequent visitor to the Video Cards forum and the fanboy crap that goes back and forth between that. I don't like to censor out any posters because I generally am appreciative of all points of views. I don't mind that we disagree but let's not be retards about it is all I'm saying. And I've had known trolls post some genuinely interesting news. My issue with what JD50 said is he clearly is remembering only "Apple trolls" while ignoring the clear and recent examples of "Android trolls" in these forums. You can't just single out half of the people exhibiting the boorish behavior.

Please show me anyone as annoying and more trollish with regards to Apple or Android than Zen0. You might find a few posts that rival Zen0, but you will not find someone with as many posts in such a short period of time. Everyone knows this.

You're just asking me to get hit with the ban hammer or a warning by the mods by naming names. All I'm going to say is look at some recent threads. There is at least one 5 or 6 page thread very recently that is clearly being trolled by an Android fanboy. Half the thread was bickering and arguing instigated by said troll.

 

[pm]

As Aukgami has wisely said, leave it be, JD50. First your suggestion to move Apple threads to the All Things Apple forum is being considered (but isn't likely to be implemented... but there's a thread about it on the mod forum). As far as these threads containing 50% trolling posts, I disagree with the statistic, but again, the moderating team is aware of the issue. There are moderators watching this thread and others and warnings have been given where they are needed. And as Akugami also said, there's no need to name names... member callouts are against forum rules too. If you (or anyone else) have any particular issue, I suggest you flag the post or the poster and let the moderation team deal with it.

Lastly, I would recommend going back to criticizing iTunes's sync time - or even better, offering recommendations as to fixes, or alternatives - and less time discussing other users.

 

[JD50]

As Aukgami has wisely said, leave it be, JD50. First your suggestion to move Apple threads to the All Things Apple forum is being considered (but isn't likely to be implemented... but there's a thread about it on the mod forum). As far as these threads containing 50% trolling posts, I disagree with the statistic, but again, the moderating team is aware of the issue. There are moderators watching this thread and others and warnings have been given where they are needed. And as Akugami also said, there's no need to name names... member callouts are against forum rules too. If you (or anyone else) have any particular issue, I suggest you flag the post or the poster and let the moderation team deal with it.

Lastly, I would recommend going back to criticizing iTunes's sync time - or even better, offering recommendations as to fixes, or alternatives - and less time discussing other users.

I never said that Apple threads should be moved to the apple forum, only certain members. Specifically one that can't help but be condescending to anyone and everyone that doesn't worship itunes. If someone can't stand the thought of people preferring non-Apple software/hardware then I think the logical thing for them to do is to stay in the Apple forum. Anyways, I'll just flag the offending posts from now on, thanks.

 

[Raduque]

Would you like to enroll in Drag and Drop university? It would help you with your intuition. Clicking, dragging, and dropping a file or folder into virtually any area of iTunes is a vital instinct to hone for survival in a civilized society.

I personally prefer to Drag & Drop directly onto my device's filesystem rather than having to go through some slow, monolithic bullshit piece of software.

 

[Zen0]

I personally prefer to Drag & Drop directly onto my device's filesystem rather than having to go through some slow, monolithic bullshit piece of software.

The software is neither slow, monolithic, nor bullshit. So it just comes down to you not liking Apple.

If I had to manually drag and drop into a file system, I'd shoot myself first. It means the songs are then managed on the device itself, which can not even come close to 5% of the abilities of managing them in iTunes.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I personally prefer to Drag & Drop directly onto my device's filesystem rather than having to go through some slow, monolithic bullshit piece of software.

I'd rather click on a single button and have my contacts, calendar, photos, bookmarks and apps all sync in a minute.

 

[WelshBloke]

Theres a way to make an Apple ID without a credit card.

Probably, but its quite a hassle just to download album art.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Probably, but its quite a hassle just to download album art.

True. There was an application that would do it for you, which I used and got most of the album art that I was missing. But I can't remember. Anyone remember?

 

[pm]

True. There was an application that would do it for you, which I used and got most of the album art that I was missing. But I can't remember. Anyone remember?

I used MediaMonkey which is free
http://www.mediamonkey.com

It downloads album art automatically, but it did have a tendancy to take some of my more esoteric music and come up with some really weird album covers and tags. Like it tagged "Se Fue" by Bebe (from Spain), as some really old country song from the 50's or something and then downloaded the album art for it. So in a way it sort of messed up my music library - about 50% of the songs (usually popular modern songs), it did great, but then for the other 50% (usually foriegn/classical/opera/Gregorian chant/etc) it really trashed things and I ended up with really weird tags and album art. I'd personally rather have no cover art at all than the wrong cover art.

 

[akugami]

The software is neither slow, monolithic, nor bullshit. So it just comes down to you not liking Apple.

If I had to manually drag and drop into a file system, I'd shoot myself first. It means the songs are then managed on the device itself, which can not even come close to 5% of the abilities of managing them in iTunes.

iTunes needs a complete rewrite.

If all you're doing is buying a song or app and then syncing it, iTunes is fine. For some managing of files, such as MP3's you ripped off CD's, iTunes is also fine.

Occasionally when I need to do something off of the beaten path like manually manage my apps on a device from iTunes performance takes a huge huge nosedive. One such case is when I am connecting a new mobile device and I want to manually select what apps gets synced from iTunes to the mobile device. Performance is not just bad, it's unacceptable.

Not to mention the occasional times when iTunes becomes unresponsive while browsing the app store or music store and I have to manually kill the app. This used to happen on a weekly basis. Browsing the app store could also be quicker. I mean, in many ways the iTune is just a glorified customized web browser. Considering that, the performance really should be a hell of a lot quicker.

iTunes is functional. I actually think the overall design is very good. There's certainly nothing inherently wrong with how it syncs and manages your apps and music to a device. Though it could use a few upgrades here and there. It does need a complete rewrite for speed and stability reasons.

 

[alent1234]

I personally prefer to Drag & Drop directly onto my device's filesystem rather than having to go through some slow, monolithic bullshit piece of software.

if you have thousands of songs how do you track unplayed music?

 

[Zen0]

iTunes needs a complete rewrite.

If all you're doing is buying a song or app and then syncing it, iTunes is fine. For some managing of files, such as MP3's you ripped off CD's, iTunes is also fine.

Occasionally when I need to do something off of the beaten path like manually manage my apps on a device from iTunes performance takes a huge huge nosedive. One such case is when I am connecting a new mobile device and I want to manually select what apps gets synced from iTunes to the mobile device. Performance is not just bad, it's unacceptable.

Not to mention the occasional times when iTunes becomes unresponsive while browsing the app store or music store and I have to manually kill the app. This used to happen on a weekly basis. Browsing the app store could also be quicker. I mean, in many ways the iTune is just a glorified customized web browser. Considering that, the performance really should be a hell of a lot quicker.

iTunes is functional. I actually think the overall design is very good. There's certainly nothing inherently wrong with how it syncs and manages your apps and music to a device. Though it could use a few upgrades here and there. It does need a complete rewrite for speed and stability reasons.

Hmm, this never happened to me under Windows 7 and never happens to me under OSX.

I recently purchased an iPad and there was no performance or stability issues. I chose the Apps to sync, and along with my songs, it filled up most of the iPad space. Probably took 30 minutes - 1 hour on my Macbook Air, which runs a 2.13ghz Core 2 Duo.

 

[akugami]

Hmm, this never happened to me under Windows 7 and never happens to me under OSX.

I recently purchased an iPad and there was no performance or stability issues. I chose the Apps to sync, and along with my songs, it filled up most of the iPad space. Probably took 30 minutes - 1 hour on my Macbook Air, which runs a 2.13ghz Core 2 Duo.

I'm using a computer with a Phenom 9500 quadcore @2.2ghz and while I'm not saying in general that iTunes is slow the point of being unusable it does feel slow and things don't load up as fast as I'd like in certain areas. Manually managing my apps from iTunes where you click on what files you want to add/delete from a particular device that's plugged in is just dog slow. That's the worst part of any performance slow downs. And the second part being browsing the iTunes store. It's not really slow doing that but considering how fast real web browsers can navigate a web site (taking into consideration that iTunes is loading custom xml files when browsing the iTunes store) performance is lacking.

 

[Zen0]

I'm using a computer with a Phenom 9500 quadcore @2.2ghz and while I'm not saying in general that iTunes is slow the point of being unusable it does feel slow and things don't load up as fast as I'd like in certain areas. Manually managing my apps from iTunes where you click on what files you want to add/delete from a particular device that's plugged in is just dog slow. That's the worst part of any performance slow downs. And the second part being browsing the iTunes store. It's not really slow doing that but considering how fast real web browsers can navigate a web site (taking into consideration that iTunes is loading custom xml files when browsing the iTunes store) performance is lacking.

iTunes store is slower than web browsers, but it has everything under the sun in one location. I don't know why they don't improve performance considering how much revenue they get from it.

Also, buying things in the iTunes store is the worst idea in the world. Amazon Mp3 is so far ahead (digital locker, for one), and Amazon's Mp3s are much higher quality.

Slowdowns in App selection (deleting or adding) never happens here, I'll have to check it on a Windows 7 machine later.

 

[pm]

I docked my iPad last night to load on a video I made (sent a GoPro HD camera up ~800ft. on an RC plane and glided back down... video came out really nicely, I think). Anyway, so I haven't docked my iPad with my computer in several months. I think it was back in early March, or late Feb. I got out my stopwatch and timed it.

My computer: Core i7 2600K (@4.2GHz), 8GB RAM, 300GB Intel 320 SSD, 2TD data drive (where my iTunes library is). My videos are on my WHS box on a gigabit LAN, but for this test, I moved the video local to the 2TB drive. I rebuilt Windows 7 Ultimate last week when I got the SSD, so it's a fresh install. I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials for antivirus.

It took 8 minutes to backup my iPad, it took 9 more minutes to sync. So it took 17 minutes to sync my iTunes to my iPad on a computer that most people would agree is pretty close to about as good as you are likely to get in a home computer right now.

Now, to be fair, it had been a long time since I backed up my iPad, and I had purchased a couple of big apps (Dead Space, among others), and a movie in the meantime. So, there was a lot of data moving back and forth. But even with that caveat, I still think 17 minutes feels excessive. I would think it should be half that based on my general feeling of how fast things should work. Maybe my expectations are unreleastic, maybe we need USB3 or firewire or Thunderbolt (or even eSATA)... I don't know. But 17 minutes to backup and sync seems long given that only about 3GB of data had changed (my guess). USB 2.0 real-world moves about 25MB/s... so that's 2 minutes to move 3GB...

 

[WelshBloke]

True. There was an application that would do it for you, which I used and got most of the album art that I was missing. But I can't remember. Anyone remember?

Frankly I'd be more than happy with wmp if it embedded the album art in the file rather than as a separate file.

I used a couple of programs to beat my collection into shape. Media monkey being one of them.
I'll probably go back to wmp after as it supports use storage and you don't have to use playlists to sync.

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