Abstract:
For many users who miss Apple's classic iPod, a new modification project is expected to bring these music players that were born more than 20 years ago back to life. The development team recently announced an open source hardware solution that can bring Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C interfaces and online music streaming support to some older iPods, bringing classic devices into 2026.
The project is called Sprout, and its core is a new circuit board that can directly replace the original motherboard. The developer stated that the entire modification process does not require welding and is completely reversible, allowing users to restore the original hardware configuration at any time.
The current project has launched a compatibility solution for the third and fourth generation iPods and iPod mini. Although these models have been discontinued for many years, they have become the main targets of this upgrade plan due to their large numbers and relatively cheap prices.
The basic version is called Sprout Pico and is built on the Raspberry Pi RP2350 platform. After the upgrade, the old iPod will gain Bluetooth audio functionality and can be directly connected to modern wireless headphones such as AirPods; a USB‑C interface will also be added to support digital audio output and line control functions. In addition, it also provides Wi‑Fi connectivity, GPIO expansion interface and microSD storage support of up to 2TB.
In terms of audio format compatibility, the new system is no longer limited to traditional MP3 files, but supports modern audio formats such as AAC, ALAC, FLAC, Opus, etc., and can also download and manage podcast content.
The more advanced version is called Sprout Pi. This version additionally integrates the Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero module to achieve richer functions, including AirPlay support, custom application running, and streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify.
The development team also developed a new operating system specifically for the device, retaining the classic black and white interface style and Click Wheel operation logic while adding modern features. The demo screen shows that users can not only view AirPods status information, but also browse Spotify playlists, podcast content, and Apple Music music libraries.
In addition to the music function, the new system also supports running some simple applications, such as calculators, MacPaint drawing tools, and even the classic game "Crash Bandicoot".
According to the released video demonstration, the upgraded iPod can work seamlessly with AirPods, HomePod and other Bluetooth devices. While the device retains its classic appearance, the internal hardware has been almost completely modernized.
At present, the development team has not yet announced the product price and official release time, but has opened project follow-up registration. Since the entire design follows the open source concept, it may attract more developers to develop third-party applications and functional extensions for the platform in the future.
The original iPod, released in 2001, is considered one of the most representative products in the history of consumer electronics. Although Apple has long discontinued the entire iPod product line and replaced its market position with the iPhone, there are still a large number of enthusiasts who continue to make various modifications and upgrades. The Sprout project further pushes this "retro electronic device revival" trend to a new level, making the classic player from more than 20 years ago equipped with most of the core capabilities of modern smart devices.
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