WebProNews

Though only Apple's iTunes is supposed to manage an iPod's playlists and music, some users wanted a different jukebox option.

A Winamp plug-in called ml_iPod just released a new version Monday; the plug-in allows users to manage their iPod with the Winamp music player and media manager instead of iTunes.

The plug-in offers features like creating smart playlists, where songs playback according to a user's previously selected preferences. But the feature that is sure to get some attention at Apple HQ if it hasn't already is the ability to copy a song from an iPod to a hard drive.

As the plug-in allows for multiple iPod syncing according to Wired Magazine, that could mean potentially unlawful file-sharing. And Apple's DRM, called FairPlay, can apparently be circumvented with a decrypter provided by the Hymn project, with no loss in sound quality.

ml_iPod's author, a UK computer science student named Will Fisher, believes users should be able to manage music they own as they see fit, and trusts users not to use the software irresponsibly.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.