Comments on: Rockbox 3.0: turn your old iPod into new h4wtness with free/open software http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 06:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: loganbouchard http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293129 loganbouchard Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293129 or, if you don't feel like installing Rockbox, you can simply give me your old ipod. it would be my first, and i'd love it the same way you did when you first got it. wouldn't it feel great to share that feeling with someone else? but fur rulz, Rockbox looks pretty cool, my friend uses it. it's pretty awesome. or, if you don’t feel like installing Rockbox, you can simply give me your old ipod. it would be my first, and i’d love it the same way you did when you first got it. wouldn’t it feel great to share that feeling with someone else?

but fur rulz, Rockbox looks pretty cool, my friend uses it. it’s pretty awesome.

]]> By: GodEater http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-299531 GodEater Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-299531 @NathanRudy CJ and Airshowfan : Yes Rockbox will play iTunes music, provided it's in the non-DRM'd "iTunes Plus" format. There is also a patch in development to allow Rockbox to work with accessories that use Apple's Ipod Accessory Protocol. @NathanRudy CJ and Airshowfan :

Yes Rockbox will play iTunes music, provided it’s in the non-DRM’d “iTunes Plus” format.

There is also a patch in development to allow Rockbox to work with accessories that use Apple’s Ipod Accessory Protocol.

]]> By: airshowfan http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293390 airshowfan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293390 Will Rockbox play AAC files (i.e. un-DRM'ed iTunes music)? Nachos #4: <i>I'm sorry, but it really bugs me when my 2 year old iPod is considered "old".</i> I think a 2-year-old iPod is considered exceptionally old because a whole lot of iPods don't last 2 years, i.e. people buy new ones not because they want to be cool or have a fancy new gadget but because they want to replace a defunct one. (As for me, when my iPod died after 2 years, I just got a big MicroSD card for my phone, and luckily my phone does play AACs so I continue to buy music on iTunes). Will Rockbox play AAC files (i.e. un-DRM’ed iTunes music)?

Nachos #4: I’m sorry, but it really bugs me when my 2 year old iPod is considered “old”.

I think a 2-year-old iPod is considered exceptionally old because a whole lot of iPods don’t last 2 years, i.e. people buy new ones not because they want to be cool or have a fancy new gadget but because they want to replace a defunct one. (As for me, when my iPod died after 2 years, I just got a big MicroSD card for my phone, and luckily my phone does play AACs so I continue to buy music on iTunes).

]]> By: silverjacket http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-298769 silverjacket Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-298769 I prefer cruising around with this Rock Box: http://tinyurl.com/3f8w5q I prefer cruising around with this Rock Box:
http://tinyurl.com/3f8w5q

]]> By: musicalwoods http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293175 musicalwoods Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293175 Rockbox on the iPod Video is the best portable player I have ever had. Its features are simply amazing. Why can't the official iPod software make on-the-fly playlist creation so simple? Rockbox on the iPod Video is the best portable player I have ever had. Its features are simply amazing. Why can’t the official iPod software make on-the-fly playlist creation so simple?

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293453 Halloween Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293453 Support for alternative formats? Cool. Replacing the iPod's simple and easy-to-use UI with one that's a lot more cluttered, for the sake of a little eye candy? Not so much. Of course, that could just be my grumpy-old-man need for bifocals talking. Support for alternative formats? Cool. Replacing the iPod’s simple and easy-to-use UI with one that’s a lot more cluttered, for the sake of a little eye candy? Not so much. Of course, that could just be my grumpy-old-man need for bifocals talking.

]]> By: Ryan Waddell http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293456 Ryan Waddell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293456 Airshowfan: Almost everybody I know has an iPod that's more than 2 years old. That's ridiculous to say they generally don't last more than 2 years... They last just fine. Even the REALLY old ones, with the battery issues, if you replace the battery they still work fine. My wife just replaced her 2g iPod with an iPod classic, but gifted the 2g to her sister because it's still working fine. She only replaced it because she wanted more storage space, and video. I tried Rockbox on my 5.5g iPod when it first became available... I dunno, I just didn't like it all that much. Maybe it's just that the available themes looked so crappy, or maybe I should've just RTFM, but the interface wasn't all that intuitive to me, and I found it fairly annoying to use (moreso than the ipod interface, which I dislike as well... If they can make a skin that mimics the Rio Karma's interface, I would switch back in a second! Airshowfan: Almost everybody I know has an iPod that’s more than 2 years old. That’s ridiculous to say they generally don’t last more than 2 years… They last just fine. Even the REALLY old ones, with the battery issues, if you replace the battery they still work fine. My wife just replaced her 2g iPod with an iPod classic, but gifted the 2g to her sister because it’s still working fine. She only replaced it because she wanted more storage space, and video.

I tried Rockbox on my 5.5g iPod when it first became available… I dunno, I just didn’t like it all that much. Maybe it’s just that the available themes looked so crappy, or maybe I should’ve just RTFM, but the interface wasn’t all that intuitive to me, and I found it fairly annoying to use (moreso than the ipod interface, which I dislike as well… If they can make a skin that mimics the Rio Karma’s interface, I would switch back in a second!

]]> By: Daemon http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293221 Daemon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293221 By all accounts: Rockbox + iPod = non-sucking iPod. By all accounts: Rockbox + iPod = non-sucking iPod.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-296296 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-296296 I love rockbox had it on my Sansa e260, it is great for audio books, it bookmarks your last session and it separately bookmarks your audio books from your music. My Sansa was stolen a month ago but a friend gave me a 4G 40gig ipod click wheel. I have to buy the charger and sync cable, just waiting for delivery. First thing ROCKBOXING IT BABY!!! I love rockbox had it on my Sansa e260, it is great for audio books, it bookmarks your last session and it separately bookmarks your audio books from your music. My Sansa was stolen a month ago but a friend gave me a 4G 40gig ipod click wheel. I have to buy the charger and sync cable, just waiting for delivery. First thing ROCKBOXING IT BABY!!!

]]> By: ncm http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293234 ncm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293234 OK, installed on my Sansa e240. Be sure to install a decent "theme" from the "Extras" page; the default one looks like ass. It appears they have not yet fixed the bug that made it crash if you push the << button repeatedly with keyclick enabled. Better keep keyclick turned off (Settings/System/Keyclick/Keyclick). OK, installed on my Sansa e240. Be sure to install a decent “theme” from the “Extras” page; the default one looks like ass.

It appears they have not yet fixed the bug that made it crash if you push the << button repeatedly with keyclick enabled. Better keep keyclick turned off (Settings/System/Keyclick/Keyclick).

]]> By: Falcon_Seven http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-292981 Falcon_Seven Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-292981 I've been running Rockbox on my Sansa e280 for about a year now and it's features are far better than the Sandisk supplied software. Really. I’ve been running Rockbox on my Sansa e280 for about a year now and it’s features are far better than the Sandisk supplied software. Really.

]]> By: ncm http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293249 ncm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293249 ... not yet fixed the bug that makes it crash if you push the << button too fast, with keyclick turned on. So, be sure to turn the keyclick off (Settings/General Settings/System/Keyclick/Keyclick). … not yet fixed the bug that makes it crash if you push the << button too fast, with keyclick turned on. So, be sure to turn the keyclick off (Settings/General Settings/System/Keyclick/Keyclick).

]]> By: ncm http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293259 ncm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293259 [Great, you can't enter the less-than character even with HMTL escapes. Humbug.] ... not yet fixed the buf that makes it crash if you push the "rewind" button, if "keyclick" is turned on. So, better turn off keyclick: nSettings/General Settings/System/Keyclick/Keyclick/off. [Great, you can't enter the less-than character even with HMTL escapes. Humbug.]

… not yet fixed the buf that makes it crash if you push the “rewind” button, if “keyclick” is turned on. So, better turn off keyclick: nSettings/General Settings/System/Keyclick/Keyclick/off.

]]> By: Matt J http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293261 Matt J Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293261 That interface makes my eyes bleed. That interface makes my eyes bleed.

]]> By: sirspocksalot http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293776 sirspocksalot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293776 Who says iPods don't last more than two years? I've got an iPod mini (the last version, the 6gb model) from 2005. Works like a champ, and still holds a ten hour charge on its original battery. It's got a few dings and scratches, but it plays beautifully. As for Rockbox...it was always one of those things which seemed more interesting in theory than practise. It's nice to have the option if I ever need it. Who says iPods don’t last more than two years? I’ve got an iPod mini (the last version, the 6gb model) from 2005. Works like a champ, and still holds a ten hour charge on its original battery. It’s got a few dings and scratches, but it plays beautifully.

As for Rockbox…it was always one of those things which seemed more interesting in theory than practise. It’s nice to have the option if I ever need it.

]]> By: Kevin http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293012 Kevin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293012 Rockbox on older MP3 players is great, if only for the games. Unfortunately, due to changes Apple made to the guts of their product, Rockbox's iPod support is limited: "<i>not the Shuffle, 2nd/3rd gen Nano, Classic or Touch</i>". Rockbox on older MP3 players is great, if only for the games.

Unfortunately, due to changes Apple made to the guts of their product, Rockbox’s iPod support is limited: “not the Shuffle, 2nd/3rd gen Nano, Classic or Touch“.

]]> By: ncm http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293285 ncm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293285 Matt: you can make it look any which way. Matt: you can make it look any which way.

]]> By: raytube http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293797 raytube Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293797 I hafta chime in. Refurb 4gb Sansa e200 series : $35 4 gb micro SD card : $20 Rockbox: Free It's hands down the best mobile MP3 player software out there. And you can always make it boot the original OS if you want... I hafta chime in.
Refurb 4gb Sansa e200 series : $35
4 gb micro SD card : $20
Rockbox: Free

It’s hands down the best mobile MP3 player software out there. And you can always make it boot the original OS if you want…

]]> By: brianary http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293035 brianary Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293035 Woot sells the v1 Sansa e200 refurbs all the time (as recently as yesterday, in fact), and with Rockbox, you have a pretty amazing player, with a microSD slot, for about $35-$50. Woot sells the v1 Sansa e200 refurbs all the time (as recently as yesterday, in fact), and with Rockbox, you have a pretty amazing player, with a microSD slot, for about $35-$50.

]]> By: nach0s http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293037 nach0s Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293037 I'm sorry, but it really bugs me when my 2 year old iPod is considered "old". It's the one characteristic of gadgetry that irks me--it's never ending requirement to be less than 6 months old. "Revitalize that sagging piece of shit you bought eons ago--back when it was cool to say 'MOAR' and 'TEH AWESOME'". I’m sorry, but it really bugs me when my 2 year old iPod is considered “old”. It’s the one characteristic of gadgetry that irks me–it’s never ending requirement to be less than 6 months old. “Revitalize that sagging piece of shit you bought eons ago–back when it was cool to say ‘MOAR’ and ‘TEH AWESOME’”.

]]> By: Julian Bond http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293293 Julian Bond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293293 Still waiting for the iPod Classic competitor. A >=160 Gb pmp that's specifically designed to run Rockbox. Sadly, Microsoft, Samsung, Creative, Sony et al couldn't bring themselves to do this. So how about Asus? Still waiting for the iPod Classic competitor. A >=160 Gb pmp that’s specifically designed to run Rockbox. Sadly, Microsoft, Samsung, Creative, Sony et al couldn’t bring themselves to do this. So how about Asus?

]]> By: adonai http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293311 adonai Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293311 Yeah, I want a replacement for my 20gb Creative - getting a bit full - and the only decent size mp3 players are Apple (at least in Australia). I don't really want to install Itunes on my PC & I heard there were quite a few problems with their 180gb models...it's a shame Iriver & Creative have ceded the large capacity player market to Apple (and I suppose they're not in huge demand, judging by the huge amount of 1-4gb players you can pick up) Yeah, I want a replacement for my 20gb Creative – getting a bit full – and the only decent size mp3 players are Apple (at least in Australia). I don’t really want to install Itunes on my PC & I heard there were quite a few problems with their 180gb models…it’s a shame Iriver & Creative have ceded the large capacity player market to Apple (and I suppose they’re not in huge demand, judging by the huge amount of 1-4gb players you can pick up)

]]> By: nathanrudy http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293346 nathanrudy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293346 Will Rockbox play iTunes music? Will Rockbox play iTunes music?

]]> By: adonai http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293097 adonai Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293097 I've always wondered how you'd play Doom with just a clickwheel.... I’ve always wondered how you’d play Doom with just a clickwheel….

]]> By: jgrassick http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293356 jgrassick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293356 Niet for my 2nd gen Nano :( Niet for my 2nd gen Nano :(

]]> By: Enochrewt http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293622 Enochrewt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293622 #21: Halloween Jack: The interface is almost completely customizable. For instance I have my RB iPod set so it has HUGE type on a black background for maximum visibility while driving. There's also two features that are the cornerstones of why Rockbox is so much better than the iPod firmware. <li><b>Drag and drop</b>: It turns an iPod into a USB hard drive. No more syncing with iTunes, Winamp or any other software, and it takes less time too. <li><b> Search through your music collection by filename OR by ID3 tag: </b> Since the iPod is now an HD with a clickwheel, you can keep your folder heirarchy which useful for us people that have our music organized by :/genre/artist/album/or something similar. And if the ID3 tag is wrong or empty, you can still find the music instead of having a ton of unknown songs like in the Apple firmware. </li> And of course there's the themes, games, voice recording and other goodies. But those two are the big ones right there. </li> Rockbox is the best thing my I've ever done to my iPods. #21: Halloween Jack: The interface is almost completely customizable. For instance I have my RB iPod set so it has HUGE type on a black background for maximum visibility while driving.

There’s also two features that are the cornerstones of why Rockbox is so much better than the iPod firmware.

  • Drag and drop: It turns an iPod into a USB hard drive. No more syncing with iTunes, Winamp or any other software, and it takes less time too.
  • Search through your music collection by filename OR by ID3 tag: Since the iPod is now an HD with a clickwheel, you can keep your folder heirarchy which useful for us people that have our music organized by :/genre/artist/album/or something similar. And if the ID3 tag is wrong or empty, you can still find the music instead of having a ton of unknown songs like in the Apple firmware.

    • And of course there’s the themes, games, voice recording and other goodies. But those two are the big ones right there.

    Rockbox is the best thing my I’ve ever done to my iPods.

    ]]>         By: CJ http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293369 CJ Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293369 @NathanRudy: ah, that's why I never installed it! I remembered that I was going to, couldn't remember why I didn't. No, it doesn't play iTunes music. @NathanRudy: ah, that’s why I never installed it! I remembered that I was going to, couldn’t remember why I didn’t.

    No, it doesn’t play iTunes music.

    ]]>         By: CJ http://boingboing.net/2008/09/25/rockbox-30-turn-your.html#comment-293372 CJ Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-293372 @NathanRudy: it doesn't work with a lot of accessories either (like chargers, or remotes) @NathanRudy: it doesn’t work with a lot of accessories either (like chargers, or remotes)

    ]]>