With a Raspberry Pi, a hobbyist transforms an old iPod into a modern music streaming device. He calls it the sPot.
From the outside it may look like an iPod, but under the hood is a Raspberry Pi. The hobbyist “Dupont” developed the sPot especially for Spotify. He has also installed some software, which means that the controls retain the classic iPod style.
In a video, Dupont explains that he got the idea after his mother-in-law gave him an old iPod. At the end of the handicraft session there was an iPod with Spotify streaming, Bluetooth audio and a working search for the library.
Most older iPods cannot connect to the Internet wirelessly. But this is required for Spotify. That’s why Dupont simply built a “Raspberry Pi Zero W” into the housing. This not only enables the connection to WLAN, but also enables Bluetooth audio transmission to external speakers.
For the original iPod feeling, however, you need a functioning click wheel and the hobbyist was also able to keep that – and even improve it. When scrolling, there is now haptic feedback instead of an audible click.
Such iPod modifications come at a price
But then Dupont had to make a few compromises. The 3.5mm jack connector is still there, but can no longer be used. Audio is only played via Bluetooth. The 30-pin connector also had to give way to a micro-USB connection so that the iPod could be charged. I can’t say which of the two ports is worse. In the video, Dupont goes into detail about every single step.
Anyone who still has an old iPod and click wheel somewhere in the closet and wants to breathe new life into it – Dupont has his Code on Github published and on a Hackaday page The rest of the software that you need for the conversion is also listed. It’s always great to come up with ideas from resourceful hobbyists, and when old electronics get a second life, it’s even better.
Raspberry Pi in our shop
Source & Pictures: The Verge
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