How to copy music from an iPhone, iPod, iPad to iTunes

Apple makes it pretty easy to copy music to your favorite iDevice. It makes it much harder to copy music from a device back to your computer.

Why would you want to do this? Well if for some reason you lose or delete some music from iTunes and you have copies of those song on your iPhone. Or you may just want to copy some songs from a friend’s device. Of course just copying music may well be breaking the music rights or what’s called DRM. But hey if you need or want to copy music from an iDevice here’s how you can do it.

There are a bunch of tools available that claim they can help you but don’t seem to work out in reality.

When we find a solution that works we are more than happy to mention and do a short review.

For Windows users the best solution is Sharepod from Macroplant. They have built a fantastic little application that just works. You can download a trial version which is good for 30 days of pump up and pay $20. They also offer a more advanced version that will copy all the data from a device not just music.

What’s great is there is virtually no setup. It magically finds iTunes and your iTunes library. Once you connect your device you can see instantly, and it is instantly you can see what songs are not in your iTunes library. Songs not present are marked with a green dot. You can then copy them over. It’s as easy as that.

Macroplant also offer a MAC version. As the Windows version was so good we did not try the MAC option.

The new iPhone 5S and the new operating system iOS 7

The latest version of Apple's operating system could be presented on Tuesday, September 10 alongside the new iPhone 5S, according to an email sent to developers at software publishing firm Nuance and leaked to American tech website The Verge.

Apple first presented the latest version of its iOS last June at the start of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). After losing some of its technological edge over Google's Android system in recent months, Apple focused on giving the new version of its iOS a streamlined interface and an enhanced feature-set. Apple's Vice President of Design Jony Ive headed up the project.

A completely redesigned interface

The interface has been entirely revisited and presents an even cleaner feel, using transparency, overlay and 3D effects. It has also shed the element of "skeuomorphism" -- the tendency to approximate the appearance of objects from real life -- in the calendar and the notepad, for example. Two oft-criticized applications, Maps and Siri, have both been updated.

Among the defining features of iOS7 is a new control screen, which can be reached at any time to change the settings of the device without closing open apps. Multi-tasking will be possible with any combination of apps, as a simple swipe allows users to switch between them.

Unsurprisingly, a number of the new features in Apple's latest OS are already present on Android. The multi-tasking features, easy access to settings, photo features and automatic updates for apps are all present on Google's OS.

In terms of new features, iOS7 will provide iTunes Radio, a free service that allows users to create playlists based on a favorite genre or artist. The service will be integrated into iTunes across all platforms (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV), but launched only in the United States.

The update, which presents the most significant overhaul of iOS since its original launch, will be compatible with all devices launched since the iPhone 4 and iPad 2.

iPhone 5S to debut on the same day

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 5S on September 10, most likely alongside a new, less expensive phone with more modest performance, known for the time being as the iPhone 5C.

Among other prevalent rumors swirling ahead of the launch is that of a fingerprint reader on the iPhone 5S, which could be used for enhanced security features. There are also whispers of a more powerful processor, an increase in camera resolution to 13 MP, a double flash, and a new home button.