iTunes 7

To keep your iPod filled with the newest additions to your iTunes library — from music to podcasts to TV shows — just connect it to your Mac or PC. iTunes takes care of the rest.

Sync music.

iTunes automatically copies your entire music library to your iPod. But you can also select individual playlists to sync. If you have more songs in your iTunes library than will fit on your iPod, let iTunes create a playlist to fill it or just drag over individual songs.

Sync TV shows.

Take TV shows, music videos and video podcasts on the road. Plug in a video-capable iPod and iTunes autosyncs videos and video playlists just as it does songs and music playlists. Start watching a movie rental on your computer, sync it and your iPod will even pick up where you left off.

Sync photos, contacts and calendars.

Sync thousands of photos to your iPod including, in most cases, your photo albums and the music from your slideshows. Compatible with Mac OS X Address Book and iCal, iTunes also syncs contacts via Outlook Express or calendars and contacts via Outlook for the PC.

Sync podcasts.

iTunes makes syncing your podcasts as easy as managing them: You don’t need any additional software to put your favorite shows on your iPod. A set of preferences lets you tell iTunes to sync all your podcasts or just the podcasts you choose.

Get software updates.

iTunes makes it easy to update the software on your iPod. The summary page features a software version tracker and updater. So, if your software is out of date, click to update it — or to restore your iPod to its original settings.

Sync both ways.

When you sync your iPod with iTunes, you do exactly that: Keep your iPod and your computer synchronized. That means anything you’ve purchased from the iTunes Store (even on the go from your iPod touch), your ratings, on-the-go playlists and even bookmarks from podcasts and audiobooks all sync back to your Mac or PC.¹

Music and media not purchased from the iTunes Store sync only one way, from your computer to your iPod. To transfer non-purchased music from computer to computer, read this tutorial.