Sprout Pi modernizes older iPods with Bluetooth and USB-C
Sprout Pi and Sprout Pico are replacement iPod motherboards designed to bring wireless audio, modern charging and expanded playback options to older Apple music players.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
A broader upgrade for aging iPods
Sprout Pi and Sprout Pico are replacement motherboards aimed at people who want to keep using older iPods while adding features associated with newer music players. The boards combine several common iPod modifications in one project, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, a microSD card slot and FLAC playback. Further details are available from The Verge in the original source material.
The project is part of a wider ecosystem of iPod modifications, but it takes a more comprehensive approach by replacing the original motherboard rather than focusing on a single component or feature. The result is intended to preserve the familiar iPod hardware while expanding how the device can store, play and deliver music.
Wireless audio and modern connections
Both versions support Bluetooth audio, allowing an upgraded iPod to connect to wireless headphones or speakers. The firmware also supports audio over USB for wired headsets, while the original 3.5mm headphone jack remains available for conventional wired listening.
The addition of USB-C updates one of the most noticeable everyday interactions with an older iPod: charging and wired connectivity. Wi-Fi adds another layer of flexibility, enabling Google Cast and AirPlay streaming as well as podcast downloads. Together, those features give the modified players options beyond locally stored music without removing their traditional headphone output.
Streaming is part of the higher-end model
The higher-end Sprout Pi goes beyond the shared feature set by supporting Spotify and Apple Music streaming, along with apps. The source report notes that this capability may conflict with one reason people have returned to iPods: using a device that reduces algorithmic recommendations and limits distractions.
That tension is central to the product’s appeal. Local playback, FLAC support and a dedicated music interface can make an older iPod feel focused and self-contained, while app support and subscription streaming move it closer to a general-purpose connected player. Sprout Pi therefore offers both approaches, depending on how its owner chooses to use the device.
Compatibility comes with limits
Sprout Pi will work only with third- and fourth-generation iPods and the iPod mini. That hardware restriction narrows the potential audience, even though those models are among the older players that enthusiasts may want to preserve or upgrade.
Opening an iPod can be intimidating, but the project does not require soldering. That could make the motherboard replacement more approachable for owners who are comfortable disassembling their devices but do not want to perform board-level electrical work. The available information does not specify whether installation requires any other tools or modifications.
Crowdfunding campaign is planned
The project is expected to launch a crowdfunding campaign through Crowd Supply soon. However, no price has been announced, so the cost of the board and any related installation requirements remain unknown.
Until the campaign provides those details, Sprout Pi and Sprout Pico remain an announced upgrade path rather than a broadly available replacement for modern music players. Their appeal will likely depend on the final price, the campaign’s availability and how easily compatible iPods can be opened and fitted with the new boards.
Sources
- The VergeSprout Pi adds Bluetooth, streaming, and USB-C to your aging iPod
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