Sprout Pi project aims to add streaming and USB-C to older iPods
A London studio’s Sprout Pi project aims to give selected older iPods modern features by replacing their logic boards. It could let owners keep the familiar screen and click wheel while adding Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and music streaming, offering a new way to use devices that Apple discontinued.
The board is designed for the first- and second-generation iPod mini and third- and fourth-generation iPods. Planned features include USB-C charging, a hi-fi DAC and a microSD slot supporting up to 2TB; a Wi-Fi version is intended to support Apple Music, Spotify and AirPlay. These features remain in development, and the Crowd Supply campaign has not launched, with no price or release date announced.
In short
- Sprout Pi would add modern features to selected older iPods.
- A version is planned to support Apple Music and Spotify.
- Compatibility, price and release timing remain uncertain.
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The case for
A replacement board could extend the useful life of older iPods, letting owners retain a familiar device while gaining modern charging, storage and streaming features. Supporters may see this as practical repair and reuse that preserves consumer choice and reduces the need to replace working hardware.
The case against
A complex retrofit may prove costly or difficult to support, and the proposed features are still in development with no price or release date confirmed. Critics may question whether streaming, wireless components and a new board offer enough benefit to justify the expense and effort, especially if compatibility or long-term reliability is uncertain.
Explained simply
Apple’s iPod was a portable music player, and some models used a click wheel to navigate a music library stored on the device. The iPod mini and earlier full-size iPods are now discontinued, but owners can still use them to play music saved locally.
Sprout Pi is a project to replace the internal logic board in selected models while keeping the original screen and controls. Its planned additions include USB-C charging, wireless connections and a larger memory card for storing music.
The project is part of a wider interest in keeping older electronics useful for longer. Its planned streaming options could also make the devices depend on modern music services and Wi-Fi, while the project’s cost and availability have yet to be set.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Your old iPod could get Spotify and USB-C support — here’s how”.