Anybody here hacked an iPod Nano?

[gammada]

I recently joined the iPod craze buying a little 1Gb Nano in full black ettiquette. So after using it stock for a few days, I became intrigued by the hacking possibilities.

Right now, I've already hacked all graphics from the updater, the menus --added some cool icons- and am in the process of changing the font and strings. So Iwas wondering if my fellow palm-addicts have done anything interesting with one of these. Would you mind sharing a few screens, themes or just some tips & tricks?

Thanks guys!

[JackAxe]

I'm still on a 3G that's battery is pretty much dead, so I'm in grayscaleville and can't unplug it from an external power source. :o

I'm hoping to get a 5G before end of June before I go on vacation, but have other priorites. I would be interesting in customizing it when I get it though. I didn't even know you could do that with the newer iPods. :)

<]=)

[gammada]

Look at the brightside of things, you bettery-less iPod has many times the capacity of mine!!

Then again, you just can buy a new battery and get back to normal... but I suppose that this is just your fine excuse to upgrade to a 5g, isn't it?

As for my mods, well keep tuned cause there'll be nice surprises like a bikini-rating system for songs ;)

Tried to take some pictures of it today but my Z71 just refused to capture the screen with any decency. Let me see what I can do about it.

[JackAxe]

It's only $13 to replace my current battery, but I would rather get a new one. :D The audio quality alone is worth the upgrade. Your Nano's sound quality makes mine sound quite poorly.

I have just under 6 gigs used on my 15g. I only have a few artists I listen to, so I can afford to use Apple Lossless for all of my music.

Yeah, a PDA camera really isn't up ot speed for that sort of thing. ;)

What be this bikini rating thing? :)


<]=)

[gammada]

Don't know about the sound quality of earlier iPods but mine isn't that good when compared to my previous mp3 player (Sony Discman) or an even earlier one (Imation RipGo!) at headphone level --stock ones in all cases-.

The only plus to the nano sound is that it doesn't clip at highest volume while connected to my car. Equalization settings also leave something to be desired. But I guess looks, portability and ease-of-use makeup for all that is lacking!

BRS (Bikini-Rating-System)= Bikini-clad girls replacing those pesky stars in the song-rating area!

For those even more adventured, there's topless, lingerie-clad and nude ones ;)

You'll see soon!

[JackAxe]

Bummer, that's not good. :eek: What audio formats are you using?

The EQ is customizable now correct? And can each song have its own EQ setting, jsut like iTunes?

I know that when I was using my Clié for MP3 playback, I was content with how it sounded through my Sony MD?? earbuds. But when I moved to my 3G, the same MP3s I had ripped for the Clié along with the same earbuds sounded like complete shite. Its audio chip really pointed out the imperfections of the the compressed tracks letting me here the metalic oscillation and the earbuds sounded muffled. I'm using Sennhieser HD555s now and Apple lossless, while letting my desktop and PB handle the EQ and boost the single. The audio sounds great to me. But from what I've been reading, the Nano and 5G have been much improved, especially when being played on the go.

Audiophiles always tell me not to use the EQ, but I never listen. :o

First I need a 5G or Nano to see these images? :)

<]=)

[gammada]

Bummer, that's not good. :eek: What audio formats are you using?

The EQ is customizable now correct? And can each song have its own EQ setting, jsut like iTunes?

I know that when I was using my Clié for MP3 playback, I was content with how it sounded through my Sony MD?? earbuds. But when I moved to my 3G, the same MP3s I had ripped for the Clié along with the same earbuds sounded like complete shite. Its audio chip really pointed out the imperfections of the the compressed tracks letting me here the metalic oscillation and the earbuds sounded muffled. I'm using Sennhieser HD555s now and Apple lossless, while letting my desktop and PB handle the EQ and boost the single. The audio sounds great to me. But from what I've been reading, the Nano and 5G have been much improved, especially when being played on the go.

Audiophiles always tell me not to use the EQ, but I never listen. :o

First I need a 5G or Nano to see these images? :)

<]=)


Yep! the Eq is fully customizable for each song now and am using the mp3 codec provided with iTunes at a bitrate of 320Kbps. Haven't used the lossless option because my older player was unable to decode it --no ripping since then-.

But am going to give it a try and with some luck, things will improve a bit. Also, I've never played my iPod thur my microcomponent speakers so another problem might be the quality I get from the earbuds. I'll let you know about my findings.

Last but not least, if you want to experience the full bikini-rating system, you should definitely go for a 5g --specially a nano- but I'll promise to take pictures tomorrow or on thursday as an appetizer!

[JackAxe]

Thanks, that's what I wanted in a new iPod, along with the Bikini rating system. :)

The only reason I switched to lossless, besides having the storage, is because after listening to an AAC version that I had just imported of Enya, (Yes, I listen to Enya. :o ) then playing the CD version a few hours later, since I had not ejected it, I heard things that had been sheared off by the compression.

Hopefull the speaker thing works out.

<]=)

[gammada]

Thanks, that's what I wanted in a new iPod, along with the Bikini rating system. :)

The only reason I switched to lossless, besides having the storage, is because after listening to an AAC version that I had just imported of Enya, (Yes, I listen to Enya. :o ) then playing the CD version a few hours later, since I had not ejected it, I heard things that had been sheared off by the compression.

Hopefull the speaker thing works out.

<]=)

Enya?? Is this a joke?

:)

Don't worry, I listen to her too, so we're both a couple of freaks :D

I haven't had a chance to take those pics but I think I will post them tomorrow. Also, I finally finished editing most of the images. We'll see if they let the camera capture them.

As for the quality of the mp3 format you're right, I have also noticed remarkable differences between the original uncompressed tracks of my cds and that of resulting files, even at 320 kbps. So if size is not that high, I think I will try lossless in my next ripping session.

[JackAxe]

Yep, I'm a freak. :D My wife calls the female vocals I listen to screaming-banshees. :o Enya's music calms my mind and allows me to stay focused while working.

I have a little Nikon 4300 that I've used to capture phone screens when working on on-line phone demos. I had to turn of*f the flash and hope my hand was steady enought to capture the screen cleanly. Sometimes It would take a few tries, but I would get it.

I get varying results with lossless. I just put in Tori Amos the Beekeeper and each track is about 50 to 60% of the original size. But the sound quality is worth it. The thing I like about the iPod on the Mac side, is that if I wanted, I could just drag the CD's AIFF track directly onto it, with no compression. Windows labels the AIFF as that weird .cda extension. but AL is good enough that I'm not noticing a difference. :)

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

Thanks, that's what I wanted in a new iPod, along with the Bikini rating system. :)



hmmmm.... Not sure that applies to my iPod.... :rolleyes:
Alison Krauss
Anita O'Day
Ann Heymann
Anuna
Billie Holiday
C. Basinet
Chloe Agnew
Christina Aguilera
Cyndi Lauper (her big band hits, not the older ones)
Deb Harley
Dinah Washington
Dolores Keane
Eartha Kitt
Elysia
Enya
Evanescence (does that count since the lead singer?)
Fiona Joyce
Jeannette Winters
Joanne Shenandoah
Karen Therese
Kim Richey
Lena Horne
Lisa Kelly
Lisa Lynne
Lizz Wright
Loreena McKennitt
... you get the idea... (deliberately ending before I get to a complete collection of Shakira)

[JackAxe]

That be more artists than I have on my iPod. :o

<]=)

[Gizmo]

Anybody here hacked an iPod Nano?
No... But I once hacked up an impressive hairball. :eek: :D

Seriously, I'm interested in seeing those bikini thingies. SOON! :)

JackAxe, for music that calms the mind, try listening to Blue Stone's "Breathe" album (You can listen to samples on iTunes.)

[JackAxe]

Thanks, I'll check them out. :)

<]=)

[JackAxe]

Pretty cool, I'm going to Tower Records. They have a touch of Enigma, or something like that. :)

<]=)

[JackAxe]

Check out Derlerium's Karma, it's kind of similar to Breathe. I'm not a fan of their other albums that I've hear, but this one is great.

<]=)

[Gizmo]

Pretty cool, I'm going to Tower Records. They have a touch of Enigma, or something like that. :)

<]=)
Yeah, I think that's why I like them.

[Gizmo]

Check out Derlerium's Karma, it's kind of similar to Breathe. I'm not a fan of their other albums that I've hear, but this one is great.

<]=)
Very nice! Like you, I listen to this kind of music when I need to unwind and clear my mind. Have you heard the song that Delirium did with Sarah McLachlan? There are several different "mixes" but it is a great song.

[JackAxe]

That's Sarah song is track #4 on karma. It's a great song. That CD in particular has a few songs that really focus my mind, kind of like my first cup of coffee. :)

Here's a "free" album I listen two;
http://soundtracks.mixnmojo.com/dig.htm

It's from the game "The Dig," one of my all tim favorites. Hey, it's not bad at all for game music. :o

<]=)

[Gizmo]

Hey, it's not bad at all! I'm listening to it right now as I finish up another hard days work! (All that plunderin' and lootin'. A pirate monkey's work is never done!) :)

Thanks for the link.

[JackAxe]

I like track number 5. :)

Fromwhat I've heard, all of that poo flinging can be exhausting. :p

Any other artists like Enya that you know of?

<]=)

[daver]

just a thought: would RockBox solve your "hacking" needs? i'm not quite sure that changing icons in the GUI is considered "hacking", but that's hte iPod domain which i stay away from so i don't know the lingo there.

Rockbox will let you change the WPS and what not, as well as some other things. although, i don't know for sure if it is up to par with your hacking needs :D

good luck!

[Iamaboff]

The sound quality from Ipod stock earbuds is terrible. Yuck :(

[JackAxe]

They SUCK big time. :D The be ear-bleeder-death-buds.

An inexpensive pair of PX-100 Sennhieser sound vastly better.

<]=)

[dragonsgames]

iPod headphones are TERRIBLE!!!!!! :eek:
btw, my favorite group is.... OASIS!!! :D

[Iamaboff]

They SUCK big time. :D The be ear-bleeder-death-buds.

An inexpensive pair of PX-100 Sennhieser sound vastly better.

<]=)

I'm rocking with my pair of JVC HA-V570 's. I got them for only $18

I use my zodiac for playing music more than my ipod. The sound quality is amazing on a zodiac with the Yamaha sound chip.

[JackAxe]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 555s. I mostly listen to my music after its been amped and EQed through my Macs, so It sound much better than when going through my 3G iPod. I'm going to update to a 5G though, since the sound chip they use makes my 3G sound like crapola. :)

Those JVC certainly look nicer than the PX-100s I use on the road. I'm not sure how the sound compares? The PX-100s have a warm sound, that can handle heavy base without distortion, but they look cheaply made. They sound great for price. My HD 555s sound noticabley better though and cover a much wider range, but they cost 5 times as much. :)

<]=)

[daver]

the one thing i hate about Senns is how they *seem* to feel cheaply made but can handle a helluva beating.

i find that most Sony's are good for the road since they're easy to change a little bit so they can fold up. granted, they're not quality cans, but you don't want to be bringing expensive stuff on the bus!

btw, i managed to snag a pair of Senn HD515's last week. A&B Sound was having a "clearance" sale for refurbished stuff. a pair of 515's were sitting on the table for $78 (everyone else was hovering around the Bose table because they don't know anything 'bout cans). didn't have any competition, and now i'm a happy man :D

[JackAxe]

That's a great price. :) Your up to what, 12 headphones now? :D :p

Yeah, Bose gets all the crowd, as does Sony. I still have my little Sony MDR something plugs, which cost as much as my PX-100s at the time, so $50, but they sound awful in comparison. And now you can get the 100s for less than $30 online. For that price, if I did break them or loose them, I wouldn't be as bothered. The carrying case they come with and the fact they fold up also really help, since they fit nicely in imy Powerbook bag and are protected.

Anyway, my friend has a 5G and had picked up Apple's higher-end buds thinking they would provide him with great sound, even though a while back I had let him try out my 100s. Needless to say, he tried out my 100s again last Friday and relized how poorly the Apple's sound in comparison. If I recall, my Sony plugs are virtually the same specs and even the same magenet as the Apple plugs.

<]=)

[daver]

technically, i'm up to 5 stereophones, a pair of those clip-on earphones from my hand-me-down MD player, and the stock plugs that came with my Cowon DAP.

i've got 4 quality cans, and 1 pair of Sony's for travel (MDR-V250's). i've pretty much got headphones for all kinds of types of listening, so i guess i could say i'm ready for any kind of music you throw at me (well, maybe except polka or something)

[JackAxe]

No poka. Tis truly a sad day in pokaland... :(

I only listen to one type of music, so I'm set. :)

<]=)

[daver]

who wants to dance a jig?




LOL

i'm actually listening to Great Big Sea's album "UP" on my stereo system (it's a "micro" system that fits on a book shelf) and SR60's. it sounds REALLY great, since they only use acoustic instruments and not synthesizers and bass, etc.

[zackepceo]

I'm still stuck with my 3G iPod with my oh-so-nice aftermarket earbuds imported from Japan. I had to replace the battery, and I could use some scratch remover, but there's no end to my Björk collection! She is definately my favourite icelandic singer-pixie.

(Peaches can't be beat for unfathomably filthy, dirty songs, though.)

[JackAxe]

I'm going to have to replace my 3G battery this month. I would still like to get a new iPod because of the sound chip thingy, but can wait.

Does your replacement battery carry the features found in all of the newer batteries, meaning it can be overcharged, or is it the same battery tech from when the 3G was available?

Byörk is a freek. :p ;) I'm probably related to her, well all of Iceland. :o My second cousin's name is Byörg. :)

<]=)

[ssulux]

I recently joined the iPod craze buying a little 1Gb Nano in full black ettiquette. So after using it stock for a few days, I became intrigued by the hacking possibilities.

Right now, I've already hacked all graphics from the updater, the menus --added some cool icons- and am in the process of changing the font and strings. So Iwas wondering if my fellow palm-addicts have done anything interesting with one of these. Would you mind sharing a few screens, themes or just some tips & tricks?

Thanks guys!


how to hack the menus, add icon etc? any app that i can work start with to do that? tia

[zackepceo]

I'm going to have to replace my 3G battery this month. I would still like to get a new iPod because of the sound chip thingy, but can wait.

Does your replacement battery carry the features found in all of the newer batteries, meaning it can be overcharged, or is it the same battery tech from when the 3G was available?

Byörk is a freek. :p ;) I'm probably related to her, well all of Iceland. :o My second cousin's name is Byörg. :)

<]=)
I actually had one of those Best Buy repair plan thingies, so they replaced the battery for free. I can only assume it's got an official battery in it. After I buy a Nokia N80, I'm going to be buying a new iPod. One with a giant touchscreen sounds good!

[JackAxe]

I would like a giant touch screen also and hopefully something that ties into all of these Apple+Gaming rumors I've been reading about. But I wouldn't want a new iPod without the Click-Wheel. An on-screen representation just wouldn't be the same.

<]=)

[gammada]

how to hack the menus, add icon etc? any app that i can work start with to do that? tia

Sure, you need to have the latest firmware update for your iPod and an app called iPod Wizard. With this software you can modify fonts, strings (Now Playing to Shut & Listen for example), replace the original bitmaps and apply themes.

Go here to download the app: www.ipodwizard.net

There's a forum and a Wiki there in order to get yourself started. But be careful cause many of the mods offered there may or may not apply to your particular iPod.

You can download there in the forums the icon pack patcher for the menu of the iPod.

Don't hesitate to PM me if you have additional questions. Good hacking!

[gammada]

just a thought: would RockBox solve your "hacking" needs? i'm not quite sure that changing icons in the GUI is considered "hacking", but that's hte iPod domain which i stay away from so i don't know the lingo there.

Rockbox will let you change the WPS and what not, as well as some other things. although, i don't know for sure if it is up to par with your hacking needs :D

good luck!

Being a firmware replacement it might as well be considered the ultimate hack but by some definitions hacking is just a way to make something standard look and/ or work as desired by the end user. As such, I'm happily modifying the looks , strings and fonts of my apple in order to make it more likeable to me ;)

Have you tried yourself Rockbox?

Is it any good as compared to the standard iPod firmware?

Maybe later I'm going to venture myself with the Linux port in order to play pac-man on my iPod. That will be a real treat!

[Gizmo]

Go here to download the app: www.ipodwizard.net

Is this what I'll need to do the bikini rating thing?

[gammada]

Is this what I'll need to do the bikini rating thing?

Yep! I can email you the neccesary bitmaps or the whole theme and you can replace them manually there or apply the theme system-wide.

Thoughtfully, the outcome won't be a hairball! :p :D

[gammada]

At long last the screen pictures of the bikini rating system in full action!

Hope you enjoy them!

Sorry for the 'dirty artifacts' but I forgot to pull out the nano from the protective cover.

Also included, the modded menu and 'do not disconnect' screen.

[JackAxe]

That's cool. Something to look forward to if I get a new iPod. Thanks for sharing. :)

<]=)