OnsiteLab.com » Technology » Bring New Life to Your iPod

Bring New Life to Your iPod

by: redgsr
Total views: 55
Word Count: 566

There are many methods that are used to hack and mod iPods and in this article we will examine three popular methods: iPod Linux, Rockbox and iPod wizard. Each one requires some technical understanding to insure proper usage and installation. The reason for this is because during the installation process, serious problems may occur if it is not done with care. The iPod may be ruined, the data can be lost, and it might be difficult to recover the iPod.

Mods and hacks for iPods expand the usability of the device and give added customization. The MP3 playlist is not that complete, or if one is not satisfied with the way artists or the titles of the songs are organized. Sometimes the volume is too low or you wish to install a different icon or font. These are just a few of the potential complaints a person can list toward their iPod.

iPod Linux and Rockbox are operating systems which can work as another firmware for the iPod and are more powerful compared to other hacks which simply represent a modified version of the basic ones. This will mean that users will be given the ability to give their iPod a totally different look, thanks to a wider range of customization options, or by adding a new theme to the device. But this also allows for additional changes since possibilities arise for new text document creation, new games, new playlist organization, video playback, and so on.

Also these additional operating systems are constantly updated allowing for the latest version to be installed. However, using a new operating system to hack the iPod like iPod Linux for example means you must first be aware of the challenge it offers not so much in terms of its usage, but mainly for its installation since it replaces your iPod's original firmware.

Using Rockbox as an operating system is not that dissimilar from the Linux one. Aiming at providing even more high quality updates and experiences, Rockbox may be considered one of the best operating systems which focus on improving audio performance by expanding audio format compatibility.

The increased audio format compatibility includes: FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AC3, WMA, MP3/2/1, WavPack, Speex, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, ACC, Musepack, and more. Other unique feature includes speaking menus support which allows one to navigate the iPod blindly, plug-in support and advance audio tuning. Rockbox does not remove the original firmware on your iPod instead it is loaded via a boot loader. This makes the risk of installation much lower compared to iPod Linux.

The iPod Wizard is more like a modification utility than a totally different firmware. Itss basically used to work on the quality of the images, changing text, adding icons and its installation is not that challenging. Since this support is only about images and text, others mods exist which only deal with audio, and their focus for example is shifted to increasing the maximum volume perceived in the headphones.

There are many other hacks and mods which can give you added features you never thought possible on an iPod. From transforming your iPod into a remote control to playing the classic 3D first person shooter DOOM, to even just modifying the way your iPod looks on the exterior. If you're interested, explore the internet and discover the new abilities your iPod.

About the Author

Fresh Gadget and Technology Blog with the Latest Gadgets.

More Articles from: Technology

1: Buying a Digital Camera? Research Well Or Bear The Consequences!
    (By: VincentManga, On: 2008-07-04, Words: 692, Views: 1)
2: How to Modify Your Car Cheaply to Run On Water
    (By: ThomasMarguccio, On: 2008-07-05, Words: 537, Views: 3)
3: A Brief Infroduction To CRM Software
    (By: RayLam, On: 2008-07-03, Words: 323, Views: 3)
4: Mobile CRM Software
    (By: RayLam, On: 2008-07-03, Words: 519, Views: 4)
5: Find Out If Small Business CRM Software Is Suitable For You
    (By: RayLam, On: 2008-07-03, Words: 234, Views: 2)

More on News

Court orders YouTube to give Viacom video logs (AP)

AP - Dismissing privacy concerns, a federal judge overseeing a $1 billion copyright-infringement lawsuit against YouTube has ordered the popular online video-sharing service to disclose who watches which video clips and when.

2 teens attacked in town mocked in YouTube videos (AP)
AP - Two teenagers who drove to Oniontown after a series of YouTube videos portrayed the hamlet as a run-down, backwoods dump were pelted with rocks by an angry group of young residents, authorities said.

Internet addressing agency loses its own addresses (AP)
AP - This doesn't sound good: The nonprofit agency in charge of the Internet's addresses recently lost track of its own.

Police wnt u to fight crime w/txt msgs (AP)
AP - Police in the 1970s urged citizens to "drop a dime" in a pay phone to report crimes anonymously. Now in an increasing number of cities, tipsters are being invited to use their thumbs — to identify criminals using text messages.

iPhone 3G queue forms in Manhattan (CNET)
CNET - The line for the Apple iPhone 3G began to form Friday--an entire week before the device goes on sale.

Ask.com closes Dictionary.com deal (CNET)
CNET - Ask.com, the fourth-ranked search engine, has completed its acquisition of Lexico Publishing Group, which owns Dictionary.com, Thesaurus.com, and Reference.com.

High oil prices spur demand for low energy electronics (Reuters)

Reuters - These days when customers walk into electronics stores, the first question they ask is how much electricity the fridge, washing machine or laptop computer they are contemplating buying consumes.

Asustek to Offer Eee PC With Built-in 3G Wireless (PC World)
PC World - Asustek will offer an Eee PC later this year with built-in 3G connectivity.

Openmoko's Neo FreeRunner Smartphone Really Is Open (NewsFactor)
NewsFactor - Openmoko has taken the wraps off its Neo FreeRunner, a Linux-based smartphone based on the company's open mobile-computing platform. Before you yawn about reading yet another product-introduction story -- especially about a handset that lacks 3G capability -- what sets the Neo FreeRunner apart is that it really is open, literally and figuratively.

'Containers' Out Perform Virtualization For KV Pharmaceuticals (TechWeb)
TechWeb - InformationWeek - With a container approach from Parallels' Virtuozzo, memory consumption and processor overhead are reduced through the use of one operating system per host.

Lithuania: Attacks Focused on Hosting Company (PC World)
PC World - A vulnerability in a Web server contributed to the attacks on some 300 Web sites in Lithuania earlier this week, a computer...

Chipmaker Connects A Wireless World And Makes It Run Faster (Investor's Business Daily)
Investor's Business Daily - Now televisions, digital cameras and game consoles commonly link to the world without those physical ties.

OnsiteLab.com » Technology » Bring New Life to Your iPod