Music fans looking looking for an alternative to the iTunes/iPod ecosystem are getting a new option this week with the release of Songbird 1.4 , which introduces support for CD ripping and syncing Mass Storage Class (MSC) Devices. The first feature is fairly self explanatory (and frankly I can't believe it took this long to include), but it's the latter that's the most compelling: Songbird now features improved sync for a number of popular MSC devices, including the HTC Hero, Motorola Droid, Nokia N900, and the Palm Pre. The new features are available on Windows only for now, with Mac support planned for release early next year. To be clear, Songbird has actually offered some MSC support before now, but CEO Jerrell Jimerson says that oftentimes devices don't work as well as they should using generic support. Songbird has been working with manufacturers to try to make the syncing process as seamless as possible. They've inked a deal with Nokia, and are also engaged in less formal partnerships with a number of other manufacturers.