I'm not sure exactly how Anapod Explorer works, but it allows the
iPod to communicate with the computer like a standard USB drive. If
the Shuffle could do this on its own, it wouldn't need Anapod
Explorer or iTunes. The reason you can see it as a drive is that you
can store data files in it like a jump drive; if you use iTunes, you
can set aside part of the memory for this purpose, and if you use
Anapod Explorer, any non-audio file is automatically stored in the
Data folder. Just be sure you put any files you want to play in the
iPod Shuffle Memory section in Anapod.
I assume that the reason the file names appear different in Windows
Explorer is that those names are more meaningful to the Shuffle than
the original names. This is just a guess, though.
The folks at Red Chair Software say you don't have to have iTunes on
your system to use Anapod Explorer, though you might need it to
configure the iPod properly when you first purchase the iPod.
My iPod Shuffle book includes directions for configuring the iPod to
work with Anapod Explorer and for using Anapod Explorer. It's
available from National Braille Press for $6.
Cheers,
Anna
More information about portable media devices can be obtained from the Blind
iPod Portal, to be found at
www.hartgen.org/blindipod.html
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