iPod & iTunes Hacks (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: smart playlists, music library, handy backup, Music Store, Script Editor, File Format (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Some people are content to use their iPod simply to play music. Some people want to do much more. Those people, and you know who you are, aren't satisfied until they get under the hood and tap every iPod trick available to them.

They want to explore and experiment, create shortcuts, and unearth cool and unexpected things to do with their iPod that have never even occurred to their friends. Maybe they want to use their iPod to read email. Maybe they want to use it as a voice recorder, or a device to store their digital photos. Maybe they want to use iTunes visuals as a screensaver, use Java to expand iTunes functionally, or use a cheap Linux box as a server and access MP3 tunes. Or, maybe they just want to paint their iPod a custom color. For those people who want to get more much more out of their iPod iPod and iTunes Hacks is brimming with undocumented tips, tricks, and trade secrets for getting the very most from your iPod.

This guide takes curious and clever iPod owners beyond the obvious with 100 ingenious hacks that will delight, entertain, and add astonishing power to the iPod and iTunes experience.

About the Author

Stern is a designer, writer, and photographer. Hadley studied creative writing and western civilization and culture at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, before studying graphic design at the Rhode Island School of Design. Since graduating from RISD, Hadley has worked as a professional designer at Malcolm Grear Designers, Rykodisc Records, and Razorfish and is currently an Interactive Creative Director at Fidelity Investments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 433 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; illustrated edition edition (October 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596007787
• ISBN-13: 978-0596007782
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #830,913 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The O'Reilly Hacks Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique, sometimes extreme, hacks for iPods, November 6, 2004

By	Jack D. Herrington "engineer and author" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The hacks books are all about unique recipes and solutions for technologies, in this case, primarily the iPod. This book almost takes it a little too far. In particular I found the authors fifteen page step-by-step instruction on building a car console mount for an iPod. The other hacks are a bit more practical; using an iPod with Linux, streaming audio to an iPod, reading text on an iPod, replacing an iPod battery or using the iPod as a voice recording.

It's not just about the iPod. The book also has 50 hacks for iTunes. Including fun ones like putting album covers on your desktop, using the visualizer as a screen saver, and scripting iTunes with Applescript.

Despite the fifteen pages on building an iPod console the book is well worth the money for experienced hackers who want cool ideas for iTunes and the iPod.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great "Hacks" book, November 3, 2004

By	E. Wuehler (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From "Importing Lyrics into iTunes and iPod" (#53) to "Install Your iPod in Your Car, Permanently" (#11). Plenty of things to tweak and try. If you like to tinker, pull things apart, or generally prefer to live outside the mainstream - you'll love this book.

Besides, who wouldn't want a book that contains the phrase, "Before I get into the specifics ... this hack is illegal." (#6)

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book , November 29, 2004

By	G. Feldman "Geoff" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am really enjoying this book. It's a breezy romp through a lot of different technology all in some way connected to novel uses of the iPod. Many of the articles are simply features or aspects of using the iPod or iTunes that simply may not have been apparent. My personal favorites are the ones where the iPod is used with something else. Though I don't own a BMW nor do I have the inclination to fabricate fiberglass, it was fun to see how you integrate your iPod to a BMW, including its onboard computer and electrical system. Booting linux on an iPod is almost a punk gesture, one that you might not consider especially useful, but seeing how it has been accomplished is half the fun.

Its also a book about reverse engineering using the iPod as the center of several case histories. What is interesting is not just what you can do with an iPod but how you find out for yourself.

By all means buy this book if you want to twist your iPod(s) (you may need a few to explore it all) but ... even if you want to do nothing and just live vicariously through others accomplishments, buy it anyway.

I did find it really hard to play my iPod (which I enjoy doing while I read) and also to play with my iPod, something the book constantly challenged me to do. So, that's another reason to get two ... so you can listen to music on one and hack the other. Lots and lots of fun.