Favorite iPod Hacks

iPod with Doom screen
Image courtesy File Front
iDoom for the iPod
Most iPod hacks either enhance an iPod's capabilities or get rid of functions that users find annoying. Here are some of our favorites.

iPod Games
One of the most notable Linux modules is iDoom, which lets you play Doom on your iPod. The game currently does not have sound, but it does have color when played on color iPods. It has some of the same features that the full-scale game does, like the ability to save games and customize the game controls.

iDoom is only one of many ports of popular Linux-based iPod games. Others are:

Customized Graphics
iPod with Hello Kitty screen
Image courtesy Phillip Torrone
Hello Kitty customized iPod graphic
Some people find the bit flashing "No" symbol that appears whenever you synch your iPod to be annoying. Engadget explains how to replace it with something else. To do it, you need an iPod, a PC and a Windows application called iPodWizard. You can change the "Do Not Disconnect" graphic to virtually anything you want. iPodWizard also lets you change the iPod's other icons and fonts.

iPod Remote Control
O'Reilly Digital Media explains how to turn an iPod into a universal remote control. The hack combines an infrared (IR) device that plugs into the headphone port with software running on a PC. Essentially, you record the IR pulses from your remote controls and play them back from your iPod.

"Lost" Countdown
As soon as the survivors of Oceanic flight 815 learned about "pushing the button" on "Lost," people created screen savers that replicated the process. You can get a similar"Lost" countdown for your iPod. Using it requires iPodLinux.

Word Processing
You probably wouldn't want to write a novel or a dissertation on your iPod. But being able to keep track of a few notes or a grocery list is a handy feature. An iPodLinux word processing module lets you use your iPod to create and save text files.

Expanded Nano Storage
According to Multiarcade, you can give a 4 GB iPod Nano a storage capacity of 8 GB. The process is fairly simple – you remove the memory chip from a broken Nano and install it in a working Nano. While the resulting player still pales in comparison to a 60 GB iPod Video, it has twice its original storage capacity in the same tiny physical space.

Audible Menus
Rockbox completely replaces an iPod's firmware with an open-source alternative. One of Rockbox's most interesting features is that it can read menu options and album, track and artist names aloud. This makes it possible for visually impaired people to use an iPod.

Enhanced Mac Security
Podsmith turns your iPod into a key to unlock the screen, files or applications on your Macintosh computer. This can protect your data and the privacy of your personal information if your Mac is stolen.

Integrated Car Console
Many new cars come with connections for iPods or other MP3 players built in. But not everyone is ready to trade in their car. O'Reilly Digital Media explains how to modify a car's console to provide a permanent iPod connection. This is more of a car hack than an iPod hack, and the process requires some dangerous chemicals, so exercise caution.

Software Options

TrailRunner on screen
Image courtesy Version Tracker
TrailRunner
Making changes to operating systems and firmware isn't for everyone. A low-risk way to add more functionality to your iPod is to install software on your computer that takes advantage of the device's existing features. This isn't technically a hack, since you're not changing your iPod's hardware or software - you're simply using software on your computer that produces files the iPod can use. For example:
  • TrailRunner is an application that lets you map out jogging or biking routes and create exercise plans. TrailRunner is a Mac OS X application, and it exports files as iPod notes.
  • VoodooPad is another OS X application, and it's like a sketchbook, notepad and organizer rolled together. Like TrailRunner, it exports documents to an iPod-compatible format.
  • Apollo is a video converter for Windows. It optimizes video for playback on an iPod.

Low-risk Personalization
If you want to personalize your iPod and buying a new case isn't dramatic enough for your taste, you have some other options. These don't involve changing software or firmware, so they're really mods rather than hacks, and they're unlikely to damage your iPod's ability to play music.

An iPod skin
Image courtesy Skinpod.it
An iPod skin
The cheapest way to change your iPod's appearance is to download and print a skin. Sites like SkinPod let you browse, print and use skins for free. The best thing about these skins is that they completely cover the scratches that most iPod models are susceptible to. You just print your selected design onto adhesive paper, cut it out and stick it to your iPod. It's a good idea to use a spray fixative to keep the colors from smearing. Keep in mind, though, that if you ever want to remove your iPod skin, you'll probably have leftover adhesive to deal with in addition to the scratches.

If you want something that's a little more permanent and a little less prone to sticky residue, some companies offer custom iPod painting. ColorEnvy can paint iPods and other electronic devices in a range of colors. The company also offers professional scratch removal as well as a product called E-juice that you can use to remove iPod scratches at home.

If you're interested in finding out about using Linux on your iPod or finding other hacks, check out the following links:

You can also read Hadley Stern's iPod & iTunes Hacks, published by O'Reilly Digital Media.

See the links on the next page for lots more information on iPods, Linux and related topics.