Part 2. Connecting Your iPod to a Mac or PC

Before you can begin rocking out with your iPod, you need to introduce it to your computer. The computer not only stores the songs that you’ll copy to the iPod, but connecting the two also charges your iPod’s battery. The first time you connect the iPod to the computer, you also install software.

Your iPod connects to your PC or Mac via USB 2. In the case of the iPod and iPod nano, you use a cable called a dock connector with a special connector on one end. The iPod end is thinner and wider than other USB connectors. The other end of the cable is a standard USB connector. The iPod shuffle needs no cable: You plug it directly into your computer’s USB port.

If you have an old computer that has only USB ...

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