iTunes-like autosync

I am a newly converted Ubuntu user. One of the things I miss is iTunes. That said... I like Amarok a lot, especially features like the Context view. My issue.... I have a 8GB iPod Nano. It mounts correctly and I can transfer files to it. However with only 8GB and a 50GB library I want to shuffle music on and off the player.

In iTunes:
* create a series of playlists based on playcount or unplayed status
* mark certain playlists for synch to the nano
* listen on nano, plug in, refresh the choices (and playcounts are updated!)
* this is particularly nice with podcasts which I exclusively listen to on the nano

I cannot find an analog with Amarok.

Any pointers out there?