Sprout Pi adds Bluetooth, streaming, and USB-C to your aging iPod
News Source
•2026-10-14T13:19:11-04:00
📰 What Happened
A company called Certain Things has made a new motherboard for old iPods. It is called Sprout Pi. It lets you add Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C and a microSD card slot. There is also a cheaper version called Sprout Pico.
The upgrade replaces the inside of the iPod. It keeps the classic click wheel and design. For fans, this brings an old device back to life. The reviewer notes that adding streaming may miss the point, since iPods were loved for offline music.
🔍 The Backstory
Apple stopped making most iPods years ago. Yet a strong fan base still repairs and collects them. Many people miss the simple, phone-free way to play music. A small home industry of mods has grown to meet this demand.
Older iPods used hard drives that fail over time. New boards use modern parts that are faster and last longer. This makes old players useful again without buying new. Some purists prefer keeping them fully offline.
🎯 Why It Matters
Old devices can get a second life instead of being thrown away. This saves money and cuts waste. It also shows how fans keep favourite gadgets alive long after companies drop them.
A company called Certain Things has made a new motherboard for old iPods. It is called Sprout Pi. It lets you add Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C and a microSD card slot. There is also a cheaper version called Sprout Pico.
The upgrade replaces the inside of the iPod. It keeps the classic click wheel and design. For fans, this brings an old device back to life. The reviewer notes that adding streaming may miss the point, since iPods were loved for offline music.
Apple stopped making most iPods years ago. Yet a strong fan base still repairs and collects them. Many people miss the simple, phone-free way to play music. A small home industry of mods has grown to meet this demand.
Older iPods used hard drives that fail over time. New boards use modern parts that are faster and last longer. This makes old players useful again without buying new. Some purists prefer keeping them fully offline.
Old devices can get a second life instead of being thrown away. This saves money and cuts waste. It also shows how fans keep favourite gadgets alive long after companies drop them.