When an iPod syncs to iTunes, it does several things. In fact, it starts syncing before iTunes even loads. When you first plug in an new iPod or iTouch, your computer automatically installs the proper drivers needed for your system to recognize, interact and use the device. Once installed, it also tells the computer what to do when the device is plugged into it. During this process, it also syncs the iPod to your computer via iTunes whether the software is open or not.

iPod syncing allows music, other media and system data to be transmitted between the iPod and the computer. This means that if you are not manually managing music, iPod syncing takes care of all of this without you worrying about it. This makes it easy for someone with limited computer knowledge to use an iPod without worrying too much about how to transfer music and data to the device.

There are several reasons why iPod syncing could take so long.  In most cases, it is because erroneous data is being transferred to the device not from it.  Erroneous data comes from mismatched ID3 tags, large album artwork and other data-based information not necessarily media.  In some cases, media may force the sync process to take longer but if you are utilizing USB 2.0 technology, this rarely is the case.  Sometimes problems with your iPod or iTouch's hard drive can cause it to sync longer than necessary.

There are several ways to speed up an iPod syncing.  First, make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes and have updated your device with the latest firmware.  Next, make sure your ID3 tags and artwork are either not there or completely done.  Missing artwork, ID3 tags and other mismatched information encoded into your files can make it harder for the sync to happen seamlessly.  Finally, if you notice your device is syncing longer than usual, you might want to check out the iPod or iTouch itself.  It may have been damaged or the hard drive might be damaged.