Create playlists for your iPod through Apple's iTunes software.
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Apple's iPod is a portable music player (or a personal media device, depending on the model). As of 2011, four iPod models are available: iPod Classic, iPod Nano, iPod Touch and iPod Shuffle, all of which sync with Apple's iTunes digital music software. All iPod models except the Shuffle support iTunes' playlist feature. Playlists are personalized lists that you create on your iPod to have your own mix of music and allow you to group songs in any way you like. iTunes also allows you to create smart playlists on your iPod based on specific conditions.
Step 1
Fill out information for your songs in groups to ensure that artist names, albums and genres are spelled exactly the same. If you have a slight spelling difference, a capitalization difference or extra characters for artists, albums and genres, iTunes will create separate categories on your iPod. For example, "Rock, "rock," "Rock n Roll" and "Rock and Roll" would show up as four separate genres.
To edit song information for multiple songs, use the "Shift" key to select songs in a row or the "Command" key to select songs that aren't next to each other. Choose "File" from the top menu and "Get Info." Use the "Get Info" to make sure that the artist name, album name and genre name are the same; you can also add groups, artwork and notes through the "Get Info" panel.
Step 2
Create a custom playlist. Custom playlists are lists of songs that play together, similar to a mix CD. You can access them from the "Playlist" option on your iPod menu. To create a playlist, select "File" from the menu bar in the iTunes application window and then select "New Playlist." Drag and drop songs or albums to add them to your playlist.
Step 3
Rearrange songs in your custom playlist to play in a specific order by dragging the song title and dropping it in your desired location. You can create playlists directly on your iPod or transfer playlists from your iTunes library by dragging and dropping them onto the iPod device icon. You can create an unlimited number of playlists on your iPod.
Step 4
Create automatic smart playlists. The iTunes smart playlist feature has many functions, such as the ability to filter playlists by a variety of factors, including genre, keyword, artist name, play count, date played, grouping, year, type of media and more. To create a smart playlist, select "File" from the menu bar in the iTunes application window and then select "New Smart Playlist." Select an artist, genre, play count or whichever rule you want to apply. Check the "Live Updating" box to keep your playlists fresh while you're on the go.
Tip
- To create a playlist of your own personal Top 100, select "File" from the menu bar in the iTunes application window and then select "New Smart Playlist." Uncheck the "Match the Following Rule" box. Check the "Limit To" box and enter 100 as your item number. Under "Selected By," choose "Most Frequently Played" and then click "OK."
Photo Credits
- Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
