Comments on: How Rockbox Saved My iPod

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:02:04 +0000

Any reason you didn’t upgrade to an iPod Touch? It might not support Rockbox, but it’d be a much less complicated solution than the journey described in your blog.

As for the iTrip, isn’t that an FM transmitter? I prefer making a direct connection through my car’s line-in jack.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:59:27 +0000

Also, Ken, regarding the line-out clicking – have you tried something like a Griffin iTrip Auto cord? My iPod is a 5G Video model, and I don’t get the clicking you described when I use the iTrip.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:25:44 +0000

True, it’s an older blog post, but I don’t know that Apple would have too much motivation to make changes to the iPod Classic; I’d imagine they would prefer an end user buy the newer, more expensive iPod Touch, or better yet, an iPhone.

There’s still some revenue in the older line, to be sure – it wouldn’t be available otherwise, but as far as updates and R&D, my guess is pre-Touch devices receive little attention from Apple.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:06:15 +0000

Keep in mind my blog post is 2.5 years old — it’s possible the hardware and software have changed since then.

All I know is that the iPod Classic lacks the inability to set clicking on the internal speaker and the line-out port separately; the iPod Nano has this feature but lacks the capacity to hold my 5001 songs. I need the best of both worlds!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:01:53 +0000

Sorry to hear about your troubles with your Apple II colleague…

I don’t think Rockbox is compatible with anything newer than 5G iPods, due mainly to the fact that Apple decided to add encryption to newer models going forward. They add new players and models all the time and RB seems to be updated on a regular basis, but I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for any more iPod models.

I’m actually really glad I read your CW blog post, as I was considering getting a Classic at some point. Your review convinced me to look elsewhere.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:36:19 +0000

Congratulations on restoring your iPod, Mike! I wish I'd had similar luck. Instead, I sent my broken iPod and $150 worth of parts to an Apple II colleague to fix. That was more than two years ago, and he no longer acknowledges my emails requesting its return. I tried getting myself a new iPod, but I couldn't stand the latest model's interface, and Rockbox was not compatible. Maybe I should give it another try.