Utility bypasses iTunes

is small utility that allows iPod shuffle bypass the iTunes management of songs and simply playback all compatible songs that are placed on the Shuffle. Users can simply use the Shuffle as an USB-drive--i.e, simply mount the drive on the desktop, copy over song files, runt he Database Builder application, and then easily use the MP3 player to listen to the songs. The application includes applications/scripts to run Database builder on Linux (via Python), Windows (.exe file), and Mac (AppleScript) platforms.

Using this method also enables users to easily use the Shuffle with multiple computers and easily share music between them. The author says that using iTunes with the Database Builder will only show those songs that iTunes copied over, but all songs on the Shuffle will be playable (after running the application following each Shuffle update).

by MacNN Staff