Miro 4: Syncing Media to Android Devices Just Got Easier

Android devices are becoming more and more popular with each passing day, so why is it that Google has yet to design a software program that allows users to manage their music and video libraries on their computers? Apple's iTunes offers iPhone users an easy way to control their media files, as well as effortless syncing capabilities. But where's the option for Android smartphones? Is there no easy way to synchronize your media library with your DROID?

Thanks to the non-profit Participatory Culture Foundation, Android users now have a way to keep their libraries in sync with their devices using Miro 4.

Miro is a free, open-source music and video player for Windows, Mac and Ubuntu, which allows users to access, share and control their digital media while being free of proprietary constraints. Also, Miro claims to be a "full alternative to iTunes and Windows Media Player." If you have an Android phone, then that statement is almost true, since it can sync with most Android smartphones and tablets (even the Nook Color). But if you love your iPhone or iPod touch, it's not a replacement just yet—it does not support syncing to iDevices, but may in the near future.

Nonetheless, it's still the best open-source media player to date, with almost every feature you can think of in one place. Here's the rundown:

• Syncs with most Android smartphones and tablets
• Purchase music and apps from Amazon (and almost any other music store) directly in Miro
• Stream and share media files wirelessly on your local network
• Works with your iTunes library and recognizes any updates
• Works with all other media libraries and folders
• Video player that supports and converts almost all formats
• Downloads and converts YouTube and other Flash videos from inside the browser
• Includes a BitTorrent client
• iTunes-like user interface for easy navigation
• Consolidation of all your media files in one place

Though it may not be an iTunes killer, it's surely a Vuze killer, since you can do pretty much everything in Miro as you can in Vuze, plus a whole lot more. To try it out, download Miro from their website and open the application. From there, it's six simple steps to getting your media into the Miro player:

Most information will sync up perfectly, except for ratings. If you plan on using Miro as your main player, you'll have to go in and re-rate your favorite songs. But that's a mere inconvenience, especially if you're using this primarily to sync your media to Android devices. But the coolest thing about Miro is the fact that you can do pretty much anything in one central location—view your files, search the web, purchase and download content, sync to devices, and convert items.

For information on what you can do with Miro, like how to keep a "watch" on your media folders or subscribe to your favorite music and video websites, visit getmiro.com or their Facebook page.