I realized that I've been using Rockbox instead of my iPod's stock firmware for more than 2 years already. It's rock solid and I never encountered any problems with it that I didn't even bother upgrading to the latest Rockbox version for the longest time now.I want to convince people to install and use Rockbox because I can honestly say that it's the best thing that ever happened to my iPod by pushing its limits and making it more capable and useful. So, I thought I should share to everyone some of my reasons why I use Rockbox (and you should too) and why it is still rockin’ after all these years.
* Copy and paste. Yes we can.
With iPod's stock firmware, you will have to install iTunes or any of those iTunes replacements to manage and transfer files to and from your iPod. With Rockbox, all you have to do is connect your iPod to a computer and transfer files by copying and pasting just like when using a USB flash drive. No more syncing hassles.
* Look Ma! I can play Doom on my iPod
Only few iPod owners know that it’s possible to play Doom on their beloved audio player. With Rockbox, you can install Doom on iPod and I can assure you that it will work smoothly and you will have lots of fun. What a way to take a break from listening to Barry Manilow’s greatest hit songs.
* Zoom in, zoom out
Have you sometimes wished that your iPod’s own photo viewer could zoom in and out on the photos you are viewing? With iPod’s tiny screen, I’m sure you have. Rockbox’s JPEG viewer plugin has a zoom in and zoom out feature that you will likely find useful.
* Theming
Like me, I’m sure you want to change your iPod’s default theme to fit your mood, to be unique, or whatever your reasons. Rockbox will make theming possible. In fact, I made a post about some of the great themes for Rockbox that you can easily download and install.
* More games and plugins
With Rockbox, you are not just limited to playing Doom because there are plenty of wonderful games to choose from via plugin. To name a few, there’s Chessbox, Brickmania, Bubbles, Packbox, Sudoku, and Jewels. Also included are useful plugins like Calculator, Calendar, DiskTidy, RockPaint, and so much more. For a full list of plugins and for more details, you can go HERE.
Since Rockbox is constantly being developed, I expect to see more features coming real soon. So, that’s about it. I hope some of you out there will get to try Rockbox after reading this. And, to those who have used or are already using Rockbox, we also want to hear your experiences through comment.
And this, by far and away, is it's biggest problem.
Of course you get many features - but you also inherit an amount of risk no regular user really wants to take. And no - I don't mean the risk of bricking your player. This risk - while present - is actually relatively low. The bigger risk comes in the form of bugs - bugs that can, for example, kill your battery.
I used to run RockBox on my iRiver H3xx. It now has a non-existent battery. That's why my next music player will natively support FLAC. I don't want to buy a music player and then flash it just to realise that I've killed it's battery.
No it was released for the Ipod about 6 months ago.
>The bigger risk comes in the form of bugs - bugs that can, for example, kill your battery.
A bug can't really kill your battery. At least its never been observed to happen.
>I used to run RockBox on my iRiver H3xx. It now has a non-existent battery.
Thats normal. Lipoly batteries only last 2-3 years typically, and the H300 has been out for nearly 5 years. If you want to use a player longer then that, you'll have to change them from time to time. Nothing software can do about that.
>The bigger risk comes in the form of bugs
The only way of avoiding this risk is to not use software.
RockBox FTW!
Now back to my original ipod software.
United Against - Rockbox now can whup Apple Firmware for battery life. It used to be a hog, though.
Fucking undocumented hardware.
The fact that there's a language to theme your player should appear as a benefit to you. If this seems like a drawback then perhaps you are not part of the target demographic.
I can only wait.
I've been using this ipod nano 2G for 8 years and honestly, I'd rather it be killed by rockbox than keep using its BS firmware. I am so tired of all the complications of itunes. Only reason I have a nano is that it was a gift for finalists at a programming contest and so I have a personal attachment to it, else I would have switched to another mp3 player the day after. I switched to rockbox this week and so far so good. My only complain is that doom has no music.