Reviving a Classic iPod with a Raspberry Pi
The PiPod 3G breathes new life into the 2003 iPod, adding a Raspberry Pi for modern Plex streaming while keeping the classic style.
Voicing your opinions about what the all-time best Apple products are is a sure way to get into an argument with an Apple mega fan. But few will disagree that the product designs of the 2000s were some of the best. Consider some of the oddball gadgets that were being made at the time, then compare them with iPods, iPhones, and iMacs. Apple was head and shoulders above the competition.
Many of those product designs are even superior to today’s best gadgets. However, the hardware is antiquated and of little use these days. Redditor potatojemsas came up with the perfect way to keep these old gadgets in service by keeping the slick user interface, but replacing all of the internal hardware with modern components. The result is the PiPod 3G — a third-generation iPod that is now packing a Raspberry Pi.
At first glance, the PiPod looks like a classic device straight out of 2003, but internally it’s a completely different beast. Built around a compact Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, the device transforms the nostalgic music player into a modern streaming and offline playback system. Instead of syncing songs through iTunes, it connects to a Plex server, allowing users to stream or download music libraries on demand.
The iconic touch interface has been recreated using hand-cut copper pads connected to an MPR121 capacitive touch sensor. While still a work in progress, custom PCBs are already on the way to refine responsiveness and better emulate the original click wheel feel. A 2.0-inch SPI TFT display replaces the aging monochrome screen, bringing updated visuals while maintaining the familiar form factor.
Power comes from a 2,300mAh lithium-polymer battery paired with a Wemos D1 Mini battery shield, though future revisions aim to integrate charging, voltage regulation, and battery monitoring into a single custom board. Connectivity has also been modernized, with Wi-Fi handling streaming duties and a USB Bluetooth adapter added to avoid interference issues.
The PiPod doubles as a tiny general-purpose computer. With a keyboard connected, it functions as a full Raspberry Pi system — albeit with a tiny 320×240 display. Planned upgrades include a dedicated audio DAC, headphone jack, and improved internal layout.