Can You Download Podcasts to the iPod Shuffle?
By Jared Huizenga
While it lacks some of the features of its iPod brothers – namely the color display screen that’s present with the Classic, Nano and Touch – the iPod Shuffle can play the same types of audio content as other iPods – including podcasts.
Downloading Podcasts
To add podcasts to your iPod Shuffle, connect your iPod to your computer like you would to add music, but rather than clicking on music files to transfer in your iTunes library, click on "Podcasts" instead.
First and Second Generations
In order to play podcasts on first and second generation Shuffles, you must set the Shuffle’s switch to “play in order” – podcasts won’t play in random play mode.
Third Generation
Podcasts won’t be played when the Shuffle is set to “Play All Songs.” To play a podcast from a playlist added from iTunes, you must switch the Shuffle to “play in order.”
Autofill
iTunes has an autofill option that allows you to add content to the iPod when it’s connected to your computer. The autofill option will not add podcasts to an iPod – including the iPod Shuffle.
Limitations
Because the Shuffle has less memory – either 2GB or 4GB – you will be able to add fewer podcasts than you could to other iPod models.
Writer Bio
Jared Huizenga is a journalist living in Minneapolis where he works for one of the nation's largest weekly newspaper groups, covering city government and school news. While in college he managed two weekly entertainment newspapers in central and southern Minnesota and has contributed to many entertainment websites. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mass communication.