[OfSanguineFire]

Fond memories of running Rockbox on my iPod Video. Today, like many, I want to get away from my smartphone that only distracts me, and I wish I had kept my old iPod and upgraded its storage to flash. I wonder what battery availability is like now.

One of the many disappointing aspects of the PinePhone is that it would often stutter playing FLACs, something that Rockbox on weaker hardware never did.

[dabluecaboose]

I'd highly recommend Elite Obsolete Electronics [1] for anyone who is interested in buying or repairing iPods nowadays. I found my brother's old iPod Video in my desk about a year ago and have been using it as a music player using parts and upgrades I sourced from eoe.

They even have see-through faceplates and colored backplates, for those of us still nostalgic for late-90s early-00s see-through electronics in funky colors!

[1] https://eoe.works/

[kayodelycaon]

I actually have a solution for this if you have an old apple device handy. You can load a profile on it using Apple Configurator 2 that disables web browsing and restricts which apps can be run. (I seem to remember this working without needing a business account.)

I’ve got some old devices locked into single app mode this way.

[asciimov]

You can find batteries online for under $20. They aren't too difficult to replace if you are patient and take your time. (Easier on 5th gen and earlier iPods). You can even order larger sized batteries if you free up some space with a flash upgrade.

Only big issue with replacement batteries is their quality. None of them will be as high quality as original Apple batteries.

[keyringlight]

One thing I'd advise from my experience a few months ago upgrading my 6th gen classic, take your time and be careful getting the right parts. Dimensions matter when it's getting crammed into a case, and for however much I'm not thrilled about apple using their own connectors or needing their software, I appreciate their physical design is elegant for working with their own parts - there's nothing wasted.

The iFlash converter I used was for a single SD card, I was only planning on putting in a single SD card so that's all I got as it was the cheapest, and why not get a big huge battery. However, the SD card slot is taller off the PCB than a microSD slot and iFlash only use them on the multi-card JBOD adapters, that makes it conflict with the larger battery if I wanted to keep the slim casing. So then the options are to get a different iFlash, get a different battery that doesn't go into the SD card area, or as I did a new 'fat' 160GB case.

[oaththrowaway]

I actually just bought a 6th gen ipod classic. Converted it to flash and put a new battery in. It's definitely an experience, but it's been a fun ride so far