Looking for a "Portable" iTunes Solution

[JEMelby]

So... I have the new 2G Touch(16GB). Love it - works great - no regrets - except....

I used a 30GB iPod Video befor. I never filled it up more than 16-17 GB worth, and there was alot of music I never listend to at that. The main thing I used it for was watching movies, tv shows, and POD casts.

With the 16GB Touch (14.something GB usable), I got all my good music and a ton of hours of Video. I am happy.... but.... I want to know if there is an option out there where I can carry my surplus video on an external drive or USB drive, and plug my iPod into a any non-iTunes computer and move files on and off.

Here are the limitations:

- 90% of the computer I would use for this a semi-sensitive, and would never allow the instalation of software. It would have to be software that could run directly off the USB drive or the Touch itself.

- I generally don't travel with my own computer, but there is always a computer at my disposal.

What I envision is a iPod application that when run, treats the iPod just like a USB drive and allows me to move stuff in and out.

I am a bit averted to modifiying the device too much (jailbreak just sounds bad all the way around). I understand a bit about the Apple DB method of file storage.

So, with out too much ridicule for not doing more research on my own, what are your recommendation, and source of information?

[kornchild2002]

There is not a solution as you listed. That would eliminate iTunes and thus take out a big part of Apple's equation. iTunes needs to be installed, that is the only software that you can use to sync music, videos, podcasts, and everything to your iPod touch. You will always need to run software when syncing to the iPod touch due to the way it accesses its storage. A sensitive computer that won't allow the installation of software should not be used as that means that you will never be able to install the drivers for your iPod touch. The iPod touch is not like other iPods where you can plug them in and use them. Windows does not have the drivers built-in for the iPod touch so those would have to be installed.

There really won't be a solution for you in the manner that you listed. A more probably solution would be to purchase a UMPC (ultra mobile PC) for syncing. HP makes a great model that can come with up to a 160GB hard drive. That way you will be able to run iTunes within Windows and carry all of your music with you. A solution like this will run you about $500-$600.

[studogvetmed]

Consider simplify media application, though it does require some software on your home computer as well...

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=284941330

[Mr. E.]

There are a few programs that the let you turn your iPod into a WebDav server, meaning that basically if it's on a WiFi network along with the computer you are using, you can add and remove files to and from the iPod.

The files you add and remove in this way are completely independent of your iTunes library, so you can't pop a movie into the iPod, then watch it using the "Videos" button, but you can watch it from withing the WebDav application. The one I use is DataCase. I just did a little test and successfully added and opened a video and an audio file. You lose all the benefit of iTunes file management with this approach, but it could come in handy if you simply want a way to get a file into your iPod when you're away from your iTunes library. I plan on using DataCase the next time I'm out of town and want to keep up on my podcasts: Just use my laptop, which does not contain my iTunes library, to download my podcasts, and then drag them into the iPod.