iPod music store

[spookylad]

I have an iPod that is linked to my desktop computer at home, where all of my music is stored.

Is there any way, while I'm away travelling, to buy music from the iMusic Store (or record purchased CDs) on my laptop, and then get these new tracks into my iPod without it removing all of the music that's already on there?

It keeps threatening to replace all of my playlists and tracks. There has to be an easy way. Doesn't there?

[fo3nix]

You can use yamipod (where is my comission??), which is a free program that you can keep on the iPod itself to copy from iPod to computer, and put random songs from your comptuer onto your iPod without using iTunes.

http://www.yamipod.com

However I'd advise you to never buy anything from the iTunes music store. the music is severely restricted, and you can end up into all sorts of problems if you actually want to play it on some other device (it locks you into using an iPod).

[josh.thomas]

The iTunes Music Store is BRILLIANT!

It is intergrated with your iPod, and since thats all your going to use - its all you need.

Its a flawless service, and includes all the album art for your iPod.

It is NOT restricted, it will play on your computer and iPod fine. You can burn it to a CD, then import (record) this back onto your computer, this then means you have an unrestricted copy to use on other devices (MP3 players)

[fo3nix]

josh, the iTunes music store, together with most of the other legal music stores, send you music files complete with their own DRM encryption. this is a restriction. For example you are limited to the number of devices you can play the file on.

shouldn't you just be able to download an unrestricted version to begin with, without messing about burning it to an audio disc? by doing that you will technically be sacrificing some of the quality too (though this may not be too noticible). Apple's DRM is their FairPlay system. this will only play on their iPod. Other stores use Microsoft's cometing Plays For Sure DRM, which unsurprisingly is not compatible with the iPod (or indeed other devices that don't pay Microsoft a license for the Pays For Sure technology).

I agree the system is very well polished, and works very easily (as many have come to expect from Apple). But that doesn't stop it from being restricted.