Smart Playlists Turned Dumb

October 21, 2006 6:43 AM

Since I downloaded iTunes 7, my iPod no longer updates Smart Playlists on-the-go. What to do?

I have two questions: (1) Is there a way I can run an older version of the iPod firmware while keeping iTunes 7? Or will it force me to update automatically? (2) If the answer to my first question is "no", then is there a way I can back out completely, going back to iTunes 6 and an older version of the firmware and keep all of my data (playlists, play counts, etc)?

posted by crapples to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Can we assume you went into the new iPod preferences (only available when an iPod is connected) and made sure your Smart Playlists were selected? Sometimes, an iTunes update will re-set some preferences.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:11 AM on October 21, 2006

Yes - they are still on the iPod, they just don't update anymore. For example, I have a playlist that has songs on it that have certain characteristics - one of those characteristics is that is hasn't been played in the last 21 days. On the previous version of the iPod firmware when I played the song on the iPod it would disappear from the playlist on the iPod (because now it HAS been played in the last 21 days). However, since downloading iTunes 7 it stays on the playlist until I synch.

So - it's like the smart playlists aren't "live" anymore. I read about this on the Apple help boards and it's a known problem with my particular iPod (the click wheel color screen). What I want to know is how I can solve the problem either with or without iTunes 7.
posted by crapples at 7:38 AM on October 21, 2006

I have the exact same problem with iTunes 7 and my 60GB iPod photo. I have an album of 473 tracks and a smart playlist to pick 100 at random. Except that unless I view the playlist on the PC and press the shuffle icon (at the bottom) it never changes.

There are other playlists that don't work too but this is the best example. Drives me nuts.
posted by mr_silver at 10:18 AM on October 21, 2006

Note that a LOT of folks are having MAJOR problems as of the recent update(s) to itunes 7, myself included. The problems are occurring for both windows and mac users. It is a bug laden and unstable piece of crap. You are fortunate if only your playlists got messed up. Itunes 7 was rushed out and we have become its beta testers. Thanks, Apple.

From studying the forums recently as I added my own complaints, I believe that a person can do more harm than good by trying repair the mess themselves. While everyone is asking about reverting to Version 6, that doesn't always work. Frequently, it just digs the hole deeper. Read the forum. Yikes!

My strategy is to just wait until Apple releases an update to solve the mess that they have created. It's doubtful if I'll ever make a purchase from itunes again and I think that I will convert my songs out of itunes. I'm installing CD ripping stuff as we speak.
posted by bim at 1:50 PM on October 21, 2006