Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
There are a lot of music jukeboxes out there that aren't iTunes that work with iPods. Cross-platform Floola is one of the few, if only, portable music players that not only works with your iPod, it will work from your iPod, too. The program's fully compatible with your desktop iTunes installation, but can be run from the iPod itself.
The features it offers are comprehensive and robust, including music, video, note taking, and photo support. The latest version includes Google Calendar synchronization. The interface is simple, bordering on simplistic, and is rife with minor imperfections. Don't let that keep you from checking it out, though, because there's an incredible amount that you can do with Floola. It can also copy songs from your iPod to your computer, grab videos from the Web, and, if you want, convert them to audio-only. It supports podcast catching, playlists, and will tell you if a song is not on a playlist. The Edit Song window lacks tags, but will--among its many features--reveal the absolute location of the song on the iPod, cracking Apple's labyrinthine system.
Floola is a work in progress. The conversion utility is buggy, and newer iPods won't be compatible with the iPod-specific fwid hardware code. Instructions on how to obtain it are available in the Floola FAQ. Floola also doesn't play well with non-Apple jukeboxes, and you might need to use the iPod firmware repair available in iTunes or Floola to get it to work. Despite these problems, Floola is truly portable and works well enough to be considered a strong iTunes alternative.
Publisher's Description
From Floola:
Floola is a freeware application to manage your iPod (any model except iPhone and iPod touch). It requires no installation and runs nicely under Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. With Floola you can copy, rename, delete your music, videos and photos, add artwork and lyrics, manage playlists and keep your favorite podcasts updated. But there's a lot more, like on the fly conversion of incompatible files, support for YouTube and MySpace videos, duplicate detection and now even keep your Google calendars synched. All with one single click. It supports integration with Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm.
What's new in this version: Version 2012r1 features: expiration removed; improved linux support; improved podcast support; added support for podcasts over secure http.
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All versions:
2.8 starsout of 25 votes
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Current version:
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"Successfully Manages my Entire ~80GB Library"
Version: Floola 6.1
Pros
-It does everything I expect such a program to do.
-The closest alternative to Floola is CopyTrans yet Floola is the only one that supports transferring from Ipod to Computer.Cons
-It could be more stable, although there are plenty of programs that are far worse.
Summary
I've been using Floola for nearly half of a decade and I've got to say: it works. I've always been frustrated at how iTunes is such a bloated program and thus wanted an alternative. I've tried quite a few programs for my Ipod Classic and they had issues either related to the simple fact that they where not stable enough for my uses or they couldn't handle my large library properly.
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"Error message"
Version: Floola 2011r3
Pros
I tried (several times) to download/unzip. Kept getting this
Error message - "The compressed folder is invalid or corrupted."Cons
Error message - "The compressed folder is invalid or corrupted."
Summary
If someone has a solution - I'd like to try the program.
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"Fills holes in iTunes and has good flexibility."
Version: Floola 2011r3
Pros
When loading mp3 files on any model of an iPod you are not limited in catigory to "music". You can change it to "Audiobook" which has big advantage if you used audiobooks other than those sold by Apple.
Cons
It adds another program on your computer.
Summary
After using it for a while I sent them some money in hopes they will not stop updating it. If your needs are similar to mine you will enjoy using it.
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"Did'nt work on my ipod but worked in my son's."
Version: Floola 6.1
Pros
Works good in my son's ipod.
Cons
Does not work on mine.
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"Erased everything"
Version: Floola 6.1
Pros
None at all.
Cons
Erases all your playlists, music, ratings, etc.
Summary
WARNING - version 6.1 left my ipod without any music showing up. Turning back to iTunes didn't fix it. I'll never use this software again. Everything is gone.
Music now ONLY shows up in Floola. iPod database got corrupted! -
"Piece of garbage"
Version: Floola 5.8
Pros
Another worthless program.
Cons
Does not support iPod Touch or even iPhone! What is its use then???
Summary
Glad this doesn't install. It is a worthless program that does not support iPod Touch or even the iPhone, so I quickly tossed this to the recycle bin. Support Touch and iPhone and maybe I will give this another shot. Until then, it's worthless.
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"Very Good iPod Manager"
Version: Floola 5.8
Pros
-Straight-forward interface
-Cross platform! Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
-Easily converts incompatible audio and video
-Very good iPod managing
-Easily add artwork to your albums
-Completely free, no ads.Cons
Nothing yet.
Summary
Floola is a really great program for managing the songs, albums, videos, and photos on my iPod. Managing songs and stuff is really easy. You just click on "Add" and then drag and drop files from your computer to the Add box. If the song or video is incompatible with your device, you can get an add-on that converts the file for you!
So yea, Floola is really great. I would recommend this software to ANYONE with an iPod or iPhone or iWhatever! -
"DONT DOWNLOAD!"
Version: Floola 5.3.1
Pros
None. iTunes is best
Cons
Don't download this! I lost all my data even after entering the right fwid and setting the right ipod generation
Summary
DONT DOWNLOAD!
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"New versions are too complex, and not reliable anymore"
Version: Floola 5.3.1
Pros
one of the first ipod manager
Cons
too complex, not stable / reliable anymore
Summary
Floola made me lost all the content of my ipod (1 star is even too much regarding what I lost).
I also got the error ''artwork load error: iTunes length (song mhsd). I had to format it, and lost all my song.
Floola is trying to offer more and more functions, and this is adding more and more bugs to the application.
My advice, forget Floola, and use a more simple app like CopyTrans Manager. -
"When it works, its awesome"
Version: Floola 5.3
Pros
Load music to and from your iPod from any computer. Load the music on your iPod onto anyone else's computer. Easily convert and load videos. ID3 tag editing is powerful and very convenient.
Cons
Doesn't work with iTune 9 at all. Very difficult to get to work once you've had iTunes 9 installed. Sometimes it doesn't load files correctly.
Summary
Still a work in progress, but worth using if you can get it to work.
