New iPods Disappoint Some Buyers

Apple’s new iPods seem to have an odd new safety precaution in place when it comes to music transfer. They aren't very user-friendly for Linux users who generally use freeware to upload music.

A number has been added to the front of the database file, preventing the new range of iPods from syncing with any copy of iTunes other than the one it was initially synced with. What this essentially means is that it's futile to try and use your new iPod with a third-party software on your office PC for transferring music if it's already been synced to your home PC!

It may only require the skill of some software nerd to simply use reverse engineering to work around this and give us the choice to lead an iTunes-free life. Sadly though, it really does seem as if Apple is hell-bent on keeping its customers in a perpetual proprietary loop.