Apple nowadays tries to bundles its music management software iTunes to every possible gadget they are making…. be it iPhone, iPod, the Mac. Just like Microsoft does with the WMP and Internet explorer.

But we never get a mention of Apple dragged to courts due to anti-trust, monopolistic litigations. Not everybody loves everything about Apple, same goes for their iTunes that comes bundled with iPod. I don’t prefer iTunes mostly because I’m a Winamp addict since god knows when! Favoritism is a different issue altogether, we can discuss about that later.

Today I’m gono show you some alternatives to adding music to your iPod without iTunes. These are only for Windows users; next week I promise an article on few tools to manage your iPod on Linux systems.

But before embarking on the alternatives, make sure you have enabled your iPod as a portable hard drive. Apple as created a very simple and detailed tutorial explains how to do this. Once you have done that we can now proceed on using the four cool alternatives below.

–Anapod Explorer–

Red Chair Software, creator of Anapod Explorer is a great alternative for managing any content on your iPod via Windows Explorer. Your iPod will show up as a portable media device in “My Computer” after that its just drag and drop or you could use right clicks menu with option to copy and paste, and “send to” menus.

Hold on….. this one isn’t free. Anapod is currently offered as Shareware and will cost you $30. Anapod is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 200, XP, and Vista.
Purchase Link

–Floola–

Unlike Anapod, Floola is a freeware . Runs in almost all OS running from Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows (including Vista). Floola is an easy drag and drop music management even non geeks will be able to use without any problems. Besides basic music management it’s also capable of managing playlists, finding duplicate songs.

Once you download the application, just drag and drop onto your iPod, and then you’ll be able to use Floola wherever you go!

Download Link

–Winamp iPod Plugin–

Winamp is probably the easiest and the best mediaplayer out there. I personally recommend Winamp to any dude asking me for some mediaplayer. If you are using the most recent version of Winamp, you’re all set to go. Older versions require to download the iPod plug-in. Getting your music on your iPod is as simple as adding your music to Winamp and right-clicking to choose the option to send your music to your iPod.

Download Link

–XPlay–

Xplay is yet another good alternative for iPod music management. Drag and drop application which makes it easy for you to get your music on your iPod. You can also automatically synchronize your iPod with your music selection on your computer But unfortunately it’s a paid software just like Anapod you can always try it before buying it, they do have a free trial version.

Download Link