Another question for iPad - iTunes experts!

[oscarkitty1]

DH is my in-house IT support - so I need some help here! We both have iPods that we use with iTunes. I have one of the first video playing models, and he has a Touch. He took care of the set up for my iPod, and I just plug it into the computer whenever I want to change the playlists/movies/etc. (Which isn't often.)

I have purchased an iPad for him for Christmas as a surprise. I'd like to give it to him on Christmas morning. However, we will be at my Mom's house 8 hours away from our house. So we won't have our iTunes with us. And my Mom doesn't even have an internet connection at her house!

So before we leave for Mom's on the 23rd, I'd like to connect the iPad to iTunes to go ahead and download some of his playlists and favorite movies so he will have something to do with his new toy on Christmas day.

So my question is - will it be as simple as me plugging the iPad into the computer and it will know how to interact with our iTunes automatically? Or is there some sort of set-up required?

Thanks in advance for your IT support!!!

 

[oscarkitty1]

Anybody?

 

[Carl]

I believe that you will first have to "authorize" it in iTunes.

 

[BunsenH]

I believe that iTunes would walk you through the process. However.........

I would wait until you returned home and let your DH go through the process himself. He may consider that part of the 'fun' of his new toy. Also, you don't want to risk having him need to 'redo' the setup to his liking. There should be enough on the iPad to keep him busy for your visit.

Does the iPad have 3G so that he can grab some apps while at your mom's? If not, let him sneak off to a wifi spot to play for a while.

 

[chamonix]

Definitely sync it yourself before you give it to him. When you open a new iPad right out of the box it won't do anything until it is synced with a computer with iTunes. Nothing! It will only show a screen directing you to plug it into a computer.

It doesn't matter if you have wifi or 3G, you HAVE to have another computer to start using your iPad. Weird, I know.

The good news is, it's easy to do, and you can do it. Just plug it in and it will walk you through the whole process. The only thing to look out for is that if his iTunes account has a ton of stuff on it, you will not be able to download everything. For example, my iPod holds 120 gigs, but the largest iPad only holds 64. I had to choose which movies, books, etc and not put all of them on my iPad. That is easy though, you just check/uncheck the ones you want.

Don't worry, you can't screw it up! Just go for it. Do you know his itunes password? I'm pretty sure you need that.

Also, no worries, he will easily be able to add or change whatever is on it when he gets home, it's not like you have to set up the ipad in a way he can't change later. If you don't do the sync first, all he will get is an iPad with a black screen with not a single button he can push or do anything with! Definitely sync it first.

 

[bonoriffic]

What Chamonix described is correct. An iPad is useless without an internet connected computer with the latest version of iTunes. Sync it, even if it is to your iTunes account. This can all be undone later.

 

[oscarkitty1]

Thanks all!! We use the same Itunes account, so I know the password thankfully.

Sounds like it's pretty easy though, so I'll give it a try. If I can't figure it out I think I'll just go ahead and give it to him before we leave for my Mom's.

Wish me luck!

 

[Luv2Camp]

I synced my iPad to our shared iTunes account, and it was really easy. Once you plug it in, it will walk you through registration, which only takes a second, and then it will begin to "sync". At that time, you can go through the tabs at the top of the computer screen (music, apps, photos, etc.) and set up your preferences. Everyone is right - Anything you put or don't put on the iPad can be changed later!

 

[bdoyledimou]

Do you know if his Touch is Jailbroken? If it IS.. you may want to wait so he can JB the IPAD too .. (to some people this is a big issue...)

 

[BroganMc]

Yes, you want to sync and activate it first. The Apple guy at the store activated mine when I bought it and I was able to setup my iTunes account and start downloading apps on the free wifi at Panera bread. Didn't do that with my BIL's and he took a few days getting his system setup at home to handle it. When I gave my sister her iPod Touch I did the setup on my computer so she was good to go.

If you have issues of a library too big to handle the stuff just tell it to manage files manually. Then check what playlists and video you want to add.

My iPad is a 32gb so I have to be selective more than my 64gb Touch.