Meko Reimagines the Classic iPod Experience
Meko is an open source, E Ink music player that revives the classic iPod vibe for distraction-free, high-fidelity listening.
How many times have you thought to yourself, “I love the classic iPod design, but I wonder what it would look like with an E Ink display and a shoddy 3D-printed case?” Now you no longer have to wonder, thanks to Meko. It is a standalone MP3 player inspired by the look of the second-generation iPod nano that is meant to bring back the days when a device served one purpose, and one purpose only.
Meko is a compact digital audio player that leans hard into nostalgia while embracing a modern hardware design. Measuring just 41 × 73 × 14 mm, the device features an E Ink display, a physical scroll wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, and a microSD card slot — all wrapped in a 3D-printable enclosure. The design philosophy involves eliminating distractions so the user can focus purely on the listening experience.
The device is powered by the nRF5340 system-on-chip, paired with a Texas Instruments DAC/amp for high-quality audio output. Power management is handled by an efficient PMIC, contributing to an estimated 24-hour battery life — significantly improved over the project’s first iteration. A Hall-effect sensor enables the tactile spinning wheel, while a haptic motor adds subtle physical feedback.
The hardware is fairly sophisticated for a hobbyist project. The six-layer PCB uses a SIG/GND/SIG/GND/GND/SIG stackup, with partial impedance control to ensure signal integrity. The creator has made the entire design open source, including schematics, PCB files, and enclosure models.
On the software side, things are still a work in progress. The firmware is being developed using the Zephyr RTOS, but many features — such as DSP processing and full Bluetooth audio support — are not yet implemented. There are also plans to potentially port Rockbox, which would significantly expand functionality and appeal to audio enthusiasts.
You may not need a Meko since your phone can already play your music collection. However, sometimes simplicity wins out. Using a dedicated device ensures that your listening experience isn’t interrupted by notifications or social media scrolling.
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