5G iPods hacked to run updated interface

It looks like those 5G and 5.5G iPods owners out there that have been feeling a little envious of the iPod classic's slick new interface now have at least one option at their disposal to give their player a bit of a facelift, although it seems that only the most fearless need apply. While it doesn't go so far as to add the much-vaunted Cover Flow, the newly-released and entirely unofficial firmware hack (which ironically requires the Windows-only iPodWizard software) does seem to mimic most of the features in the latest interface, including the split screen design, and the revised now playing screen. Not surprisingly, a number of users have reported that the hack has bricked their precious iPods, so you may want to reconsider your distaste for you iPod's current interface -- at least until all the kinks are worked out.

[Via iLounge]

[Eric @ Oct 15th 2007 4:59PM]

There does seem to be one advantage with the Zune after all.

[enzo @ Oct 15th 2007 5:06PM]

Maybe cupertino should start their photocopiers for once on this one...

[Paul @ Oct 15th 2007 5:16PM]

No! Cuz Apple is innovation 'n junk! So automatically anything they do is perfect, even if everyone else does it better!

Oh and is it just me or does the 5.5 seem to be the last good iPod? Classic = poor audio, Touch = (plethora of things not the least of which is capacity for a VIDEO player). Just glad I got in on my 5.5 80GB when I did, seeing as how it's going to be a collector's item.

Anyone know of a mod to make the 160gb drive work with the 5.5's? hehe

[Levi Figueira @ Oct 18th 2007 3:14AM]

Zune is not 160Gb...
And to be honest, I was more envious of the 160Gb of the new classic vs my 5G one... but that's ok! :)

[Stevie Wonder @ Oct 15th 2007 5:05PM]

It's funny that you have to "hack" your previous generation ipod to have the latest user interface, whereas the Zune offers previous owners the latest bells and whistles for FREE!

Apple could learn a thing or two from Microsoft.

Fanboys, rank me low in 3, 2, 1...

[Dave @ Oct 15th 2007 5:17PM]

Let's just hope Apple doesn't learn how to make it's stock price perform like Microsoft's.

[Belmin @ Oct 15th 2007 5:42PM]

I'm loving this new 'fanboy rank me low...' trend. Kind of like reverse psychology:

"Hey I'm not a fanboy so I WON'T rank you low!"

(Fanboys of 'fanboy rank me low...' rank me low in 3, 2, 1...)

[shaun @ Oct 15th 2007 6:13PM]

Haha u got neutralled, even worse

[Rosario @ Oct 15th 2007 6:54PM]

Even though I dislike the Zune, not because I pro apple or anything but just from personal experience. Apple can do so much better if they open up to other possibilities. It seems as if apple wants everything to themselves that we end up getting screwed. But as much as I hate saying this Apple is using good business strategy.

The reason older models dont get what the newer models have is because if they did then apple wouldn't sell anything. Its the same reason why the ipod touch is missing things the iphone has. Also the same reason you cant get free ring tones for the sidekick (off topic but similar), they want money and they know that by blocking 3rd party apps or making you buy a new apple product for the newest features is the way to do it. And guess what...it works.

[JackOLantern @ Oct 16th 2007 12:36AM]

Stevie - Its because the 'new' Zunes arent really new! they are the same old zunes in a new wrapper thats why the 'new' Zune 2.0 software also works on the old zunes. nothing has changed with the zune - MS is just trying to get some more life out of the same old player.

[Andreas @ Oct 15th 2007 5:08PM]

Funny that I could put it on my 5.5G iPod using alterPod on my Intel iMac...

So no need for Windows only Software!

And my iPod is working fine with the new firmware.

I recommend trying it, its kinda nice.

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 15th 2007 9:55PM]

How did you do this? I got the program but I don't know how to put the new firmware on.

[ThomasShaped @ Oct 15th 2007 5:09PM]

You can install it on a Mac using alterPod.

Installed and no ibrick for me :D

[skant @ Oct 15th 2007 5:10PM]

updating bricks my ipod? just like using the original software...what do i have to lose but my 5th and final iPod

too bad an update isn't an upgrade...

[websyndicate @ Oct 15th 2007 5:10PM]

really kinda show not that cool no cover flow either and addition to that its a crippled version but its free and im not changing my ipod back just wouldnt recommend it.

[Craig @ Oct 15th 2007 5:11PM]

i'm really not sure why anyone would want to do this. besides the unappealing aluminum face and the crippled video-out, the new interface is one of the least desirable aspects of the ipod classic.

now if you could stick that 80gb drive in my 30gb 5G, we'd be talkin'

[Paul @ Oct 15th 2007 5:16PM]

Better yet, put it in the touch.

[Scott Fusco @ Oct 15th 2007 5:15PM]

Is it just me or doesn't this just seem like typical apple - Releasing new stuff before they have all the kinks worked out and letting the users "debug" through trial and error?

[theevocater @ Oct 15th 2007 10:22PM]

what?


apple didn't release this?

[Eric @ Oct 15th 2007 6:02PM]

You're a moron.
try reading the article (or learning to read for that matter)...or did HACKED in the article title not explain it enough.
Hurry up and die.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 15th 2007 5:19PM]

My dad's happy because know he knows he has the only player that gives you a newer model makeover for free. I like the ipod but the zub=nes cool too.

Fanboys will rate me low any second now...

[Eric @ Oct 15th 2007 6:02PM]

The only reason anyone will rank you low is because nobody knows what a "zub=nes" means.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 15th 2007 5:20PM]

srry bout the spelling mistake. My keyboard's keys are too small. I meeant to say zune.

[fa @ Oct 15th 2007 6:31PM]

or maybe your fingers are too fat.. :)

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 15th 2007 9:01PM]

@ fa

Even though that kind of offended me and my fingers are not fat, thanks for giving me a laugh. I'm not being sarcastic

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Oct 15th 2007 11:36PM]

Or better yet, proofread!

Btw, how in the hell did you get zub=nes from zune? asljffdsasf me!

[J. Evans Turner @ Oct 16th 2007 11:47AM]

Because the "=" is next to the backspace key. He was trying to backspace the mis-typed "B" and then hit the correct "N" key next to "B".

[mrfusion @ Oct 15th 2007 5:24PM]

So I wonder then, with my gf's new iPod Classic, you can see the clock all the time when playing songs. Does this also do this when you install this hack? Or is it just coverflow and prettyness?

[John @ Oct 15th 2007 6:55PM]

You know there's a setting in the 5G (and 4G) iPod menu that lets you do that, right?

[Philometalist @ Oct 15th 2007 5:30PM]

Yah know it's kinda funny how Apple goes after the open-source community sometimes like in the case of the iphone but in other cases like this, they really actually depend on them quite a bit to support their customer base in allot of ways.

[John @ Oct 15th 2007 6:59PM]

Yah know it's kinda funny how Microsoft goes after the open-source community sometimes like in the case of Linux but in other cases like this, they really actually depend on them quite a bit to support their customer base in allot of ways.

[Eric @ Oct 15th 2007 8:27PM]

Yah know it's kinda funny how Apple goes after the open-source community sometimes like in the case of the lolwut but in other cases like this, they really actually depend on them quite a bit to support their customer base in allot of ways.

[David Clark @ Oct 15th 2007 5:33PM]

Would would you _want_ coverflow?? If anything, I'd like a hack to disable coverflow on my touch. Seriously. It takes like 2 minutes to flip from one section of my music to the other.

[Alexander @ Oct 15th 2007 5:44PM]

Hey at least the Brick wins firmware battles

[Bob S. @ Oct 15th 2007 5:50PM]

I'm with Craig -- find a way to run the snappy old interface on my Classic and I'll be impressed.

(Tivo's going through the same thing right now... the 9.1 OS upgrade it's rolling out is slow and buggy, with hundreds of bug reports on the TivoCommunity.com forums. Maybe Apple should have bought Tivo -- then they could have a whole lineup of products gone wrong.)

[Craig @ Oct 15th 2007 6:08PM]

this is not good to hear, because i want to buy a tivo soon. i don't think a new firmware should be issued unless it's going to be at least as good as the previous version.

[AG @ Oct 15th 2007 5:52PM]

Although I'm mostly happy with with my old video iPod, what was that Steve Jobs said about the iPhone being so great because they can update the software interface. And, they can't with the classic? Yeah right. Whatever.

[mr.me! @ Oct 15th 2007 5:55PM]

This isnt the new firmware running on the new ipods, its a hacked version of the current one that makes it look like the new ones.

[Eric @ Oct 15th 2007 6:03PM]

I installed it (and no brick), but the reboot process took forever. I ended up opening the iPod and disconnecting the battery.

I could have waited a few hours for the battery to die, but I was worried that it was bricked, after being on the Apple screen for about forty-five minutes.

[Jay @ Oct 15th 2007 6:12PM]

Using it right now, working and pretty nice.

[Macinjosh @ Oct 15th 2007 6:21PM]

Does it also mimic the slow jerkiness of the new interface??

[computer.dude.28 @ Oct 17th 2007 5:30PM]

my friend has one of the new nanos and i noticed too. Sure, it looks great when you aren't listening to music, but when you're playing a song, the UI is all jerky.. it looks like Apple gave their new iPods more than they can handle.

[Constable Odo @ Oct 15th 2007 6:23PM]

Just buy a new iPod if you want some Coverflow junk. They're just some stupidly simple media players. Who needs a full blown interface to work one. Press something to start it, press something to stop it. Anyone want to install Aero on an iPod? Good. You have my permission to do something that's totally useless.

I'm becoming fully convinced that nobody's satisfied unless they take a chance to brick their media devices.

[computer.dude.28 @ Oct 17th 2007 5:32PM]

sound like Somebody needs an iPod shuffle!

[KiwiBri @ Oct 15th 2007 6:39PM]

Thats one thing I hate about Apple, they dont support their fanbase with the older machines - hey could easily send us an update for firmware... W@nkers!!

[Tiptup300 @ Oct 15th 2007 6:54PM]

Wow, I never quite realized how terrible the ipod interfaces really are. Just wow. Imma gonna go update my Zune now without bricking it, for free.

[Boynamedsue @ Oct 15th 2007 7:03PM]

the new interfaces are pretty shitty. but if you think the zune is anything special...

[Tiptup300 @ Oct 15th 2007 7:13PM]

Actually, I wouldn't mind if the XBMC interface got ported to any mp3 player with AT LEAST 30gigs. It doesn't have to be zune, doesn't have to be an ipod. Just any mp3 player would do.

[Dragod @ Oct 15th 2007 7:10PM]

Honestly, I couldn't be happier I got a Zune. I'm not being left out in the cold just because I don't want to buy a new player every Year and a Half. I'm still waiting to see if I like the Zune pad before I even know if I'll be buying a Zune 80 if/when my Zune dies.

[Karma_Green @ Oct 15th 2007 7:20PM]

this was bound to happen. to bad it doesn't look as good as in the classic.