Pod2Go 1.6: Apple Mail and iCal improvements
A month ago, Hawk Wings blogged about a new beta version of Pod2Go, a utility that allows you to sync your
The beta has now been officially released.
As well as its new, faster method of dealing with
Pod2Go is shareware (USD 15) and is available from the developer’s web site.
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Tags: Apple Mail, iCal, iPod, mail.app
January 2nd, 2006 at 6:05 pm
[...] UPDATE: Pod2Go 1.6 released, 2 January 2006. Technorati Tags: iPod, syncing, Apple Mail, Mail.app [...]
January 7th, 2006 at 12:50 am
[...] I don’t own an iPod (or a PDA), but if I did I would definitely be interested in this, or in one of its sync-to-iPod competitors like Pod2Go or MailToPod (when a Tiger version is released). [...]
January 30th, 2006 at 9:18 am
I think that it is worth saying a few things here about iPod Notes.
Few iPod users (and thus even fewer non-iPod users) know about the hidden features of iPod notes. Two years ago MacWorld had a pretty good summary:
http://www.macworld.com/2004/09/secrets/septgeekfactor/index.php
For the non iPod users out there, the iPod can do more than just store and play audio (and video). It also has a “Notes” section that can store text files that can be reviewed on the iPod. Simply drag a text file into the “Notes” folder and it will show up under “Notes” in the main menu. Subdirectories are shown too. This is, in fact, how Pod2Go stores all of its info (and how some cities allow people to download train schedules/etc. to iPods). Pod2Go creates a hierarchy of folders that have text files as leaves and those text files include important info (like all the movies shown at a certain local theatre or the most recent weather report or gas prices).
( NOTE: Something else that’s great about Pod2Go is that it will sync your calendar and contacts automatically, thus taking the place of iTunes. That way when you plug your iPod in a tiny little Pod2Go instance pops up, syncs things, and pops off. This is much nicer than waiting for iTunes to load, sync, and stay open. )
However, what most people don’t realize is that each of those Notes can have some very simple HTML-like markup including hyperlinks to other notes and media on the iPod. This means that you can create notes that link to other notes (perhaps in other subdirectories). You can create a “to-do” or “action” list that links to more information for each action. “Get groceries” can link to a “Grocery List.” And all of these text files can be automatically sync’d to the iPod via Pod2Go at scheduled intervals and/or whenever you plug the iPod in (via Pod2Go).
( Pod2Go can also download entire web pages to your iPod. Personally, I keep nearly all my GTD actions on my IMAP server. A web page can access those directories and give me an interface to browse through the action list. Not only can I access that web page over GPRS on my phone, but Pod2Go can download a summary to my iPod for those times when GPRS isn’t available. )
Now, the iPod Notes can *ALSO* link to MEDIA on your iPod. That means that you can launch files from notes — it’s like browsing a tiny little iPod web.
And finally, you can setup your iPod to be in “Notes Only Mode” that basically turns it into a kiosk. That way the only way people can launch media is through notes that you’ve put together. There are lots of cute applications for this (the MacWorld page above mentions a way of delivering an iPod to a romantic interest in a way that a message with embedded love songs is presented on power up).
Summary:
1. iPod Notes are POWERFUL. They support LINKS!
2. The iPod has a “Notes Only Mode” that can exploit those links.
3. Pod2Go can make it very easy to manage those notes. Have a grocery list you keep updated on your PC? Sync it to your iPod every time you plug it in.