The Sprout project, launched on CrowdSupply, introduces replacement motherboards for vintage iPods. The Sprout Pico and Sprout Pi boards are based on the Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller and allow users to modernize their devices without soldering or specialized tools.
The Sprout Pico model is compatible with third and fourth-generation iPods, as well as first and second-generation iPod mini. It adds a USB-C port for charging and audio output, a Bluetooth chip for wireless headphones, and a microSD card slot for storage. The original screen, Click Wheel, and 3.5mm headphone jack remain functional.
Battery life is significantly improved with the upgrade. The iPod mini receives a 1200 mAh battery providing 20 hours of playback, while the larger 3G and 4G models get a 2500 mAh battery for up to 40 hours of operation. The board also includes an upgraded DAC for better sound quality.
The Sprout Pi version, designed for 3G and 4G iPods, adds a Wi-Fi module to support Apple AirPlay, Apple Music, and Spotify. By integrating a Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero, this version also enables the installation of third-party applications.
The project will release its hardware designs and firmware under an open-source license, with files available on GitHub. Modification kits will be available for purchase on the CrowdSupply platform once development is finalized.
