Why can't I upload podcasts onto my new 2G iPod Shuffle?

November 29, 2006 7:52 PM

Why can't I upload podcasts onto my new 2G iPod Shuffle?

I recently purchased a 2G iPod Shuffle for the sole purpose of being able to listen to NPR podcasts while I go jogging. However, I'm having problems uploading these podcasts if I try to update through playlists.

Whether if I create a smart playlist with the podcasts or a regular playlist, when I go to Autofill with that playlist, it erases all the music. Autofilling with playlists with my regular music works like a charm. I can even manually drag the podcasts over and they copy, but if I click on Autofill again, it'll erase them.

I know it's a relatively minor problem, but I want to be able to have a smart playlist automatically update my Shuffle with unplayed podcasts, gosh darn it.

I'm on OS X 10.4.8, iTunes 7.0.2

posted by alidarbac to computers & internet (5 answers total)

When you click on Autofill, do you have "Replace all items" unchecked?
posted by donajo at 7:57 PM on November 29, 2006

Checked or unchecked, it doesn't upload new podcasts. Checked, it will erase any podcasts manually copied over.
posted by alidarbac at 8:15 PM on November 29, 2006

Darnit, I was hoping that was an easy answer. I've got the exact opposite problem--I can only load podcasts onto my 2g shuffle (but I'm not using playlists). Everytime I load music, it's not there when I disconnect, or when I reconnect the shuffle. Anyway, best of luck.
posted by donajo at 8:26 PM on November 29, 2006

According to Apple Support for Shuffle and iTunes you're supposed to manually add podcasts to your Shuffle. Autofill isn't recommended. It's also mentioned in iTunes Help under the topic "Loading Podcasts onto iPod" - If you have an iPod shuffle, iTunes-enabled mobile phone, or third-party music player, you can only load podcasts onto it manually.
posted by plokent at 9:49 PM on November 29, 2006 [1 favorite]

Man, that sucks. Thanks for the tip, though.
posted by alidarbac at 5:43 AM on November 30, 2006