Managing my iPod and iPhone without iTunes

Edit: Since the time I wrote this article a couple of news have came out:
1.- Compatible with the iPhone OS 3 as well as with the new iPhone 3GS
2.- The guys over at CopyTrans realeased a new version with a really cool new player. I was even told it would become fully customizable (as far as the settings are concerned) so I guess we'll see what how they are going to surprise us!


The aim of this blog is to share my experience of replacing iTunes with CopyTrans Manager, the free iTunes alternative from the guys over at CopyTrans.

http://www.copytrans-manager.com

It's been the most effective, fastest and easiest iTunes alternative I have seen. So much so, that it is now the only one installed on my windows laptop.

You'll see what CopyTrans Manager is capable of and learn how to add music to your iPod, create and edit iPod playlists, delete video and music from your iPhone, edit track tags and import artwork.

To ensure easy reading, I broke down the article into chapters:

Part 1 & 2 : Why I needed such an alternative to manage my iPod without iTunes
Part 3 to 6: How-to tutorial/guide I put together to use CopyTrans Manager
Part 7 & 9 : Final thoughts and interesting links that helped me write this article.


Click here for Part 2: Why use an iTunes alternative?

Use CopyTrans Manager: Go straight to the Howto!

 

Why use an iTunes alternative?

I’ve been a mac user for the last 10 years and a big fan of Apple products, own a couple of laptops (MacBook Air and Powerbook) an iPod Shuffle and an iPhone. Having changed jobs, I now have to work on a Windows machine, which I take home and use while traveling from home to work (train).

I’ve found myself wanting to organize my iPod and iPhone while traveling. i.e. organizing my playlists, importing the latest CD, etc.

As it has been quite a hassle, I thought I could share my experience with all of you that are in a similar situation.

My first attempt (Mac user habits) was to use iTunes. On a Mac, iTunes is just perfect for me (no joking), it’s not too slow, organizes everything for me (as all the Apple applications do) and fits in nicely with everything else.

However, I must admit that I had a completely different experience with it on Windows.

On Windows, iTunes is:
- Slow
- Sticks out from all the other applications
- Has a tendency to crash
- Takes forever to load
- Oh, and did I mention it was slow?

This doesn’t even take into account the fact that I don’t want my Shuffle and iPhone to be permanently linked to my windows machine. I still count a lot on Mac OS X!

The best solution for me has been CopyTrans Manager - the free iTunes alternative

Click here for Part 3: The best iTunes replacement: CopyTrans Manager

 

The best iTunes replacement: CopyTrans Manager

I tried a few others first, some were packed with features, some had less features. Some too complicated, some too basic. Most of them are free though, so I guess you can't complain...

In the end, the one that best suites my particular needs is CopyTrans Manager.

The one that lets me add my music on the go quickly and that launches instantly (yes, that's pretty fast). An iTunes alternative that lets me edit my iPod tag information and imports artwork from my music files automatically.

This alternative iPod manager has it all, supports playlists and even has an integrated music player!

Ok, it’s still in beta stage but really, I’m not sure why !?


Click here for Part 4: Downloading and running CopyTrans Manager

 

Downloading and running CopyTrans Manager

As the creators of CopyTrans Manager also have a few other products available, you can use their nice little Application Launcher called CopyTrans Control Center. It is available on their website as a free download:

Download the free iTunes Alternative


CopyTrans Control Center will list all of their apps and don’t worry, clicking on the wrong one will simply download a trial version of that software.

For those of you who don’t want to use the Application Launcher, you can download the zipped package of CopyTrans Manager here:

Downlaod portable iTunes Alternative


Note: One advantage of using the zip file is that once un-zipped you can copy the 2 files directly to your iPod, making it portable and allowing you to bring it along wherever you go. Really nice if you want to manage your iPod on another computer (no installation needed, pretty sweet!).

Once downloaded, simply click on CopyTrans Manager in the Control Center or double-click on the CopyTrans Manager icon on your desktop. This is where you get surprised at how fast it starts.


Click here for Part 5: Add music/videos to your iPod or iPhone

 

Add music/videos to your iPod or iPhone

Once CopyTrans is running it will tell you that it is safe to plug in your iPod. I think the application actually stops iTunes from running, even though soon enough you will uninstall iTunes completely like I have!

As the guys at CopyTrans say on their website (www.copytrans.net), it’s an iTunes alternative, so really, there is nothing to be afraid of here.

There are 2 methods to add music or videos to your device:

1.- Drag and Drop tracks from Windows Explorer into CopyTrans Manager


2.- Use the Add Tracks button to browse your PC and add the music you want




Although I’m used to autosynching my devices, the guys at WindSolutions have added a nice little feature which prevents you from making unwanted changes. You can ask CopyTrans Manager to only Synchronize once you click the Update button. This way you can make all the changes you want and sync at the very end.


Click here for Part 6: Delete music/videos from your iPod or iPhone

 

Delete music/videos from your iPod or iPhone

This part is in no way more complicated then adding music or videos.

To delete music with this free iTunes alternative, simply select the tracks and click on the “Delete Track” icon.

Confirm.

Click here for Part 7: Add and populate iPod Playlists

 

Add and populate iPod Playlists

At this stage of my how-to, I’m really wondering if it was needed, the application itself and the screenshots provided by the WindSolutions team are self-explanatory!

To add, delete or edit playlists, either use the small “+” or “-“ signs in the playlists pane on the left side of the iTunes replacement windows. Or right-click in that pane and select “Add playlist…” or “Rename playlist…”

Once your playlist is created, simply drag & drop your music or videos to it.


To remove your tracks from the playlist you can right-click and select “Remove from playlist” or hit Delete on your keyboard. Hey, if that’s not enough you can even use the “Remove track(s) from playlist” button in the upper part of this iTunes alternative’s screen! Don’t forget to confirm.



Click here for Part 8: Final thoughts

 

Final thoughts

CopyTrans Manager has replaced iTunes on my computer.

Is there anything else to be said about this iTunes replacement? Sure! It’s a fast, light and free alternative to manage your iPhone without iTunes, just as advertised.
It doesn’t do everything but what it does, it does well. And for what I need, I’d say it’s perfect. Give it a try, or not, but please write some comments!

I’ll see if I have time (and will) to try out other solutions and give my impressions on them.


EDIT: I have just received an email from the guys over at CopyTrans telling me that the new release supports all iPhones and iPod Touch! Congrats!

Frankly, I think it's the only shortcoming of this free replacement to iTunes.

Click here for Part 9: Links & goodies

 

Links and goodies

CopyTrans Manager - free iTunes replacement

The CopyTrans Manager Teaser Video on Youtube!


If your interested in other useful apps for backing up or recovering music, videos or photos from your iPod/iPhone, the CopyTrans Suite is probably what you need.
Visit the CopyTrans website


Manage your iPod without iTunes blog


Other interesting links? Please let me know in your comments!

Thank you all for reading!

 

Pete