ipod shuffle support playcount update?

[Ipod Method]

Hi everyone,

Lost time listner first time poster.

So My question is does the ipod Shuffle support the playcount update in itunes.

Meaning if listen to songs on my ipod shuffle will it update the play count in intunes when I plug the shuffle back into the computer.

My basic reasoning is it might be cool to be able to use the ipod shuffle as a way to slowlly narrow down to your 120/240 favorite/most played songs. By using a combination of playcount, smart playlist and the ipod shuffle.

[polycarbon]

I was thinking exactly the same thing walking home today. Bumped cause we want an answer! :D

[dcmacnut]

Good question. I don't think Autofill is the same as Autosync, so probably not. We need the shuffle in stores so people can start testing these things.

[Ipod Method]

so I am never one to do the whole bump thing, but I am really curious and this has already gone to the back of the line

[Roly P.]

I totally agree iPod Method. I to am very curious as to whether listening to the iPod Shuffle will add to the play count/last played when reconnected to iTunes.

Infact it would probably decide whether i buy one or not. I assume that it would need to have some kind of internal clock, in order to achieve this?

I rang the Apple help desk this afternoon, unfortunately i got no help at all. Does anyone know please?

[jerrodh]

I'll make sure this information makes it into the official iPodlounge review, due very soon.

[K1W1]

As I understand it the playcount is updated but not the last played date. The Shuffle has no clock.

[canyonblue737]

correct, playcount IS updated, but not last played date.

[polycarbon]

Is this DOCUMENTED [edited for spelling] anywhere, or is it just speculation? Canyonblue, it sounds like you have one, so I guess the last played isn't updated. Could you check again anyway, just in case? :)

[K1W1]

You could start by having a little look around you.

http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68824

[polycarbon]

Thanks for the heads up K1W1! I don't usually check out the problems pages more than once or twice a week, so I missed this one.

[-James]

Good idea. I'm going to create a smart playlist type thing that will contain my 120 most played and most highly rated songs and put it onto my shuffle.

[-James]

Good idea. I'm going to create a smart playlist type thing that will contain my 120 most played and most highly rated songs and put it onto my shuffle.

[YPie]

Originally posted by canyonblue737
correct, playcount IS updated, but not last played date.

Hmm, I'm not happy about this, and it could change my mind about getting one.

Almost all my smart playlists (which are how I listen to my music 99% of the time) are done using the date last played field to make sure I'm constantly recycling stuff I haven't heard for ages and not getting the stuff I've listened to recently. If it doesn't record the date played, my system (which I quite like) won't work.

Even if there is no clock on the shuffle, I wouldn't mind the compromise that it gives it the time and date it was synched with iTunes which was mentioned on another thread. Presumably this would only involve a software tweak rather than any changes to the shuffle itself, so if this gets introduced into iTunes at any point I'll be more tempted.

[Roly P.]

Yep, seems to me to be a slight error of judgement by Apple in not including this simple feature. I, like many, use the last played option in many of the my smart lists.

Seems a shame that a simple thing like an internal clock (which would be updated when reconnected to the computer) has been ommited, especially when the iTunes software uses the last played option regularly.

Shame.

[ztariqz]

hmm.. are you sure the play count does get updated?

cuz mine never does... could it b cuz i have autofill turned off?

[jonathan_ive]

i heard that the playcount updates but the last played does not but i honestly have not been bothered to check.