iPod Nano 5G

On 13/06/13 08:30, Matt Ivie wrote:
> I've tried everything from every reference I can find online and I
> can't get the 5th Gen iPod nano to sync with anything. When I copy
> files from any program it writes and says it's synced but the ipod
> database never actually writes the updates and the ipod never
> recognizes the songs. Does anyone have any ideas?

I have the same problem with my iPod Nano (I think it is 4G). I tried
using Exaile a few months ago to put songs on it, and it didn't do anything.

Andrew.

iPods have never had great support on GNU/Linux. Some devices have proprietary pieces even though others are standards compliant. I'd highly suggest anything at all over an Apple music product. Based on testing I've done I'd put your chance of an Apple music device working at being 50/50. Most other music players will work because they comply with the mass storage device standard.

You may have some success with gtkpod. But, as Chris said, you are better off with something besides an iPod. I personally use the Sansa Clip Zip running the Rockbox firmware and it works perfectly. It also supports more audio formats than the iPods do so ogg vorbis and FLAC play flawlessly. Think Penguin also sells some reasonably priced players that will work.

https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/penguin-portable-ogg-audio-player-gnu-linux

https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/portable-ogg-audio-player-gnu-linux-v2

http://www.gtkpod.org/wiki/Home

http://www.rockbox.org

This is an old iThing that I bought for my wife about five years ago. It was before I really completely understood free software. I was still in the "open source" understanding at that point. I'm going to avoid iThings from now on but she doesn't want to get rid of this one because it was a gift. This is the only thing keeping her on Windows right now...

Oh well. Thanks for the input everyone.

I remember that I used my iPod *touch* (3rd generation) with Rhythmbox (as an iTunes substitute) with no problems.

Try that program, if you haven't already.

Also, if you end up not being able to syncronize your iPod in GNU/Linux... You can always just sell it on eBay and get instead a similar player that you know syncronizes well in GNU/Linux and that you can "free", by installing the Free Firmware "Rockbox" - www.rockbox.org - in it, that will allow you to do more things with your device, other than just listening to music.

(I'm sure it will make/be a better gift, than the present one, in that case. And, maybe your wife won't mind the substitution for a better one.)

My iPod (5th generation iPod video) can be synchronized using Banshee (including videos) but I just drag and drop using Rockbox.