Why? I want it to sync automatically when I plug it in. Just not when I'm using it.

Edit: Why is wanting this wrong? I have podcasts downloaded, and just plug my iPod in while I get ready in the morning, and it updates without me having to sit down and dick around with the computer. I really don't think this is unreasonable, and these problems occur every day.

Not only is it not unreasonable, it's a subtle design touch that you would almost expect Apple to think of. Similar to how yanking the headphones out of an iPod or iPhone pauses the music.

I wouldn't even call it subtle. It's an obvious one. Since I got the thing, I've had to deal with it. The worst part is when I forget. I get into work, sit down, and plug the iPod in, and BAM, whatever I was listening to stops, thing start to run on my computer, asking me to update QuickTime, before I can cancel out,...

Grrr.

Yeah. About to go on another tirade.

Exactly. Plugging in the iPod should not interrupt iTunes. Sync in the background, display a notification if you must, but don't interrupt what the software on the desktop is currently doing.

I don't think it should even interrupt what the iPod is doing, but I can understand that technically that could be more difficult.

First of all you have to define what "using it" means. I would define it as a program is running and/or music is playing. So in those cases automated syncing wouldn't start, such that you can continue to do whatever you were doing and the device just charges.

With such a system you would add a lot of complexity to the system. How many people will be frustrated to see their devices not automatically syncing because the wouldn't know about all this technical nuances or they forgot that they still had an app running.

Another option would be to continue the audio process after syncing the device. Since syncing can take quite a lot of time. Users would be annoyed to see their devices start playing music without apparent reason. I mean how many would sit there with their earbuds, waiting for sound to continue. Admittedly audiobook/podcast listeners would more likely do so than music listeners.

So what are your current options without requesting those cans of worms? Canceling the sync on the device, which would still stop the audio process or disabling auto sync to not be bothered by it while listening to audiobooks, but be bothered to hit sync while updating podcasts.

"How many people will be frustrated to see their devices not automatically syncing because the wouldn't know about all this technical nuances or they forgot that they still had an app running."

Not as many as you think. I imagine most people aren't doing something on their iPod when they plug it in. Either way, Apple likely has stats on this. I understand your point, but then, how many people sync via iTunes? I mean, the actual Sync button in iTunes. How often does syncing actually need to take place?

And, the same question could be asked of the interruption. How man people plug their iPod in while using it and suddenly find that it takes over whatever they were doing. It takes over, without even asking.

"Another option would be to continue the audio process after syncing the device."

That defeats the purpose. And it's bad design. Why interrupt what the user is doing? Mac users love to comment on having to restart Windows for updates. No.

"Canceling the sync on the device, which would still stop the audio process or disabling auto sync to not be bothered by it while listening to audiobooks, but be bothered to hit sync while updating podcasts."

I have the perfect solution, I would [SYNC]