From the Amarok Wiki Ipod section:

Recent iPod firmware versions (newer than mid 2006, and the firmware on 2nd gen iPod nanos, 5.5 gen iPods and the 2nd gen iPod shuffle) only create an empty iPod_Control/Device/SysInfo file. But this is used by libgpod for determining the kind of iPod you have. And libgpod has to know your iPod model for transferring artwork correctly. A work-around is to use a recent version of gtkpod for setting the iPod model manually (this sets the model version string in the SysInfo file).

Problem:  after compiling and installing libgpod0.6.  Amarok detected the device asked me to configure it, which I did.  Now when I plug it in, Amarok detects it and automounts it (after adding it to fstab) and  I can mount my 80G IPOD Classic (gen 5.5 or 6?) in amarok, transfer playlists and songs to it just fine...but no album art transfer option is available.

I noticed that the dropdown in the devices tab on my machine only lists the /media/IPOD device, not the nice name like "80g IPod Classic" or whatever.  I cannot set the model as that option is not in the devices tab.  I ran ipod-read-sysinfo-extended already, but do I have to fill out sysinfo also?  and if so how do I get the model number for the first line...I assume that there is a command for gtkpod?  I run KDE.
-----------------------------------------------------
ModelNumStr: xB029 <--- HOW DO I GET THIS PART
FirewireGuid: 0x000A27001301221F <--- I know how to get this part


ENDGOAL:  have cover art on the IPod...I think that this is a first step.

OK.. two problems: one was not having gdkpixbuf installed when I complied libgpod...
the second was that the little >> button at the top of the devices tab when pressed only showed a non-expanding ipod button.  I expanded the left side pane to eliminate the little  >> button and viola!!! the ipod button now has a dropdown where I can set the model!  Bug maybe?

Now the model is set, lets see if I can transfer some artwork!...stay tuned

IT WORKS

IPod 80G Classic (Gen6) amarok1.4.8

Coverflow and everything...this is my dream come true and it only took two days