Anapod Explorer is a proprietary application for content management on Apple iPods, made by Red Chair Software. It is designed to be streamlined along the Windows interface, allowing users to bypass iTunes by presenting the Windows-formatted iPod as a special drive icon on "My Computer." Besides the management features that it shares with iTunes, it also offers the possibility to transfer to the iPod audio files in formats other than those supported by it by transcoding them before they are copied, as well as retrieving them back from the iPod to a hard drive in an easy manner.

Other features include Anapod Xtreamer, which is a streaming network server for files on the iPod, and advanced search capabilities such as SQL support.

The software is sold in a range of prices and features which depend on the version of the iPod it is going to be used with. The version designed to manage the iPod shuffle costs $20. The universal version, intended to support any kind of iPod and thus feature-complete, costs $30. There is also a feature-limited trial version available. Paying users are entitled to free updates of the package they acquired as well as some complementary software.

Device support

Anapod supports the following iPod devices:

Apple iPod nano: First Generation

Apple iPod nano: Second Generation

Apple iPod shuffle: First Generation

Apple iPod shuffle: Second Generation

Apple iPod mini: First Generation

Apple iPod mini: Second Generation

Apple iPod: First Generation (mechanical wheel)

Apple iPod: Second Generation (touch wheel)

Apple iPod: Third Generation (touch wheel)

Apple iPod: Fourth Generation (click wheel)

Apple iPod: Fifth Generation (video display) [Note corruption issues have been reported when using in conjunction with iTunes]

Apple iPod photo

Apple iPod U2 Special Edition

iPod HP (same as 4th Gen Apple iPod)

There is no indication that the software works with the latest generation of iPods, including the iPod Touch.

Customer Support Issues

Numerous FTC consumer complaints exist about Red Chair and its lack of post-purchase support. It has been widely suggested that Red Chair is operated by a single individual with no interest in supporting the product. Upgrades have all but ceased.

The website claims to support all iPODs. However, the product does not properly support 5.5 generation (iPOD classics) or iPOD touch. Support of 5th generation iPODs is bug-ridden. Database corruption will occur if it is used in conjunction with iTunes.

A recent version 9.0.3 ceased to install due to a time/date bug. Users eventually figured out that they had to set their computer clocks back exactly 2 months from the current date to install the software. A few months later a 9.0.4 version appeared on the website that appears to have fixed that problem. While this is a seemingly trivial software bug, the delay in providing an update fix strongly points to a software company (or individual) that has all but abandoned the product. Perhaps Apple may have made it "legally difficult" for the developer of Anapod to continue supporting its software.

Initial purchase and enabling keys are provided automatically via email, however subsequent technical or account problem resolution via Red Chair is impossible. Technical or customer support emails go unanswered.

Although not disclosed on the web site, the software license will only work with one iPOD. This requires purchase of an additional license to not only support additional iPods but replacement iPods. (The company claims that if you send them PROOF of an iPod replacement due to repair it will update the license, however given the lack of customer support has proven unlikely). A customer who has purchased a previous, stand alone edition of Anapod, such as iPod Nano, Ipod Mini or Ipod edition (each at $24.95) will not be able to upgrade to Universal edition at a discount and will be required to pay full price again (currently $29.95).

Many customers have reportedly resorted to using license key hack programs to allow using their iPods with replacement iPODs.

Potential customers can also search the internet via Google for "Anapod customer support" for further information.

If you look hard enough - there is a keygen for the latest Anapod version to enable you to register more than one iPod. Don't do what I did and register the Ipod Nano capable of video (3rd Gen). It won't work and in effect renders it useless until you reset it back to factory settings.

External links

Red Chair Software