How-to hack your own iPod shuffle USB adapter

We're pretty dang certain Thought Out won't be the only one cashing in on the 2G iPod shuffle's USB port omission, so you won't be wanting for cheap adapter options in a month or so, but if you'd like to stick it to The Man this fall and wire up your own damn USB port, well, you can do that too. German iPod site, iPodfun.de, has a nice little diagram and some machine-translated instructions showing you how to solder up an old USB cable to a 0.59 euro mini jack, saving you about $20 bucks, and gaining a bit of flexibility in the process.

[Via MAKE]

[fengpostyahoocom Posted Nov 8th 2006 10:00PM]

Are you sure this cable works? Does it have the same USB pin assignment?

[saq Posted Nov 8th 2006 2:21PM]

Wow if its this easy why didn't apple include one? I still love my G2 Shuffle though.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 2:24PM]

exactly what i was thinking of doing

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 2:29PM]

"In own thing: Forget simply the somewhat chaotic original version of this article if her it read and at it surprised you. Sometimes one does not see the forest before loud trees also turned around or�: -)"



awesome

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 4:12PM]

this is google trying to translate a complex german sentence :-)

[ThePaul Posted Nov 8th 2006 2:39PM]

Just out of curiousity how do you put music on this little player if it doesnt use a USB cable?

[GoodTroll Posted Nov 8th 2006 2:50PM]

Apple did include one. It just happens to take the form of a dock. It uses the exact same technology as this home brewed one, it just includes a place to set the iPod while it charges/sycs.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 2:50PM]

@ Paul,

It comes with a dock.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 11:29PM]

I think Apple seriously missed the boat here. I have a 1 GB Sandisk SD card that has a built-in USB connector - basically the bottom part of the card folds over itself to reveal the USB connector, which you insert into any USB port. IMHO one of the most useful inventions ever for a memory card. Really all the Shuffle is is a memory card with an audio front end, no reason for Apple not to have licensed this patent and really come up with a useful device. Given that Sandisk has it's own line of DAP's, I'm wondering when they will come out with a Shuffle competitor, WITH their patented hidden USB connector. When they do I'll be first in line.

[SubGenius Posted Nov 8th 2006 3:31PM]

Apple should have designed the shuffle dock such that the cable portion could be easily removed for those who want to carry it with them.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2006 10:40AM]

This is why I love the internet! :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 10:50PM]

The bare plugs are just a bit more expensive here in the U.S. The cost of a 4 conductor plug, wire, USB plug and shipping (I'm assuming you buy everything / don't re-use something you already have) comes out to about $15.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2006 11:51AM]

Just buy one of these for $10...

http://store.mobibluamerica.com/damija.html

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2006 10:51PM]

Forgot the link: http://tinyurl.com/6ycvt

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2006 6:51AM]

"...Can't see the trees through the forest..." Ha!

Hint, that should read:

"Can't see the electronic circuitry through the dock" or "there is more than meets the eye"

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2006 1:25AM]

re: he bare plugs are just a bit more expensive here in the U.S. The cost of a 4 conductor plug, wire, USB plug and shipping (I'm assuming you buy everything / don't re-use something you already have) comes out to about $15.

which is why you use mouser instead of rpelectronics.
plug:
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=171-7435-EXvirtualkey11180000virtualkey171-7435-EX ($1.53 ea)
usb A to cord:
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=1487599-1virtualkey57100000virtualkey571-1487599-1 ($1.64 ea)
total: $3.17
no min order, shipping depends on where you are located and is based on weight, probably no more than $6 if you use usps. really you should buy more components to have at least 1 lb so that you don't get ripped off for shipping, but if thats all you need....
i assume you already have solder and an iron, or it will cost you way more than $10.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 21st 2006 6:31PM]

has anyone fond an adaptor that can be purchased in the uk?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 15th 2007 4:10PM]

There is a better diagram on how to make one of these on this page:
www.microhaxo.com/hack