Bluetooth mod comes to the 5G iPod

We already thought that 4G iPod Bluetooth mod was pretty sweet, but Fstedie has managed to top himself, cramming a BT adapter into a 5G video iPod without altering the stock appearance, apart from that clear third-party faceplate. The basics of the hack are pretty similar -- replace the hard drive with a CF card, wire up a Bluetooth adapter -- but the cramped internals of the 5G case makes it much more difficult to pull off, apparently. If you're feeling brave, instructions are soon to come just beyond the read link.

[phanbouy @ Feb 21st 2008 2:35PM]

whats a bluetoof?

[Chris in CA @ Feb 21st 2008 2:50PM]

Something iPods don't come with.

[nokiarulz @ Feb 21st 2008 4:11PM]

hahahahahahaha what are you two year old let me gess you think iphone is the best

[phanbouy @ Feb 21st 2008 4:17PM]

i just lost a little more faith in humanity

[nokiarulz @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:28AM]

if you dont know what something is just google it info on bluetooth - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

[Chris in CA @ Feb 21st 2008 2:49PM]

Maybe Apple should hire this guy to get 3G and gps into the iPhone, and an optical drive in the MBA.

[john @ Feb 21st 2008 3:20PM]

And add bluetooth FTP and DUN to the iPhone as well. (and Bluetooth FTP to the iPod Touch)

[Gorillamonk @ Feb 21st 2008 4:40PM]

I want him to do mine. All the messy wiring looks worst than a facelift. And, I want that snazzy clear case.

[sancho @ Feb 21st 2008 2:49PM]

i think you see what here is the situation in that you can take this and perhaps for to make the connection with no connecting?

[martin @ Feb 21st 2008 2:50PM]

wheres the english for that

[phanbouy @ Feb 21st 2008 2:51PM]

viva el sancho!

[Liam @ Feb 21st 2008 2:57PM]

His English is better than my spanish. I think he was asking if you could sync music wirelessly with this thing.

[phanbouy @ Feb 21st 2008 2:59PM]

it's the art of fighting without fighting

[Fara @ Feb 21st 2008 3:02PM]

That is one fugly Faceplate

[LegendZ28 @ Feb 21st 2008 3:44PM]

It's clear, not ugly.

[Fara @ Feb 21st 2008 3:58PM]

The fact that it's clear makes it fugly. Who the hell - with any sense of style at least - wants to see the innards of their mp3-player?

[Dualboot @ Feb 21st 2008 4:06PM]

Honey, I've told you not to post on Engadget with a pseudonym. As for the innards question, we've talked about this. Geeks like to see what they're buying and what it's made of.

[RJRibeira @ Feb 21st 2008 4:12PM]

That's funny because when I saw this the first thing I thought was. "That faceplate is awesome." Different strokes for different folks.

[Fara @ Feb 21st 2008 4:12PM]

Say what now? this is among the few places I use my real name (no idea why) and I don't post comments very often. So no Idea who you are.

But true to the rest. When I was like 13, I would've thought it looked awesome. Goes to show what sense of style young, geeky teenage boys have, eh?

[Jesse S @ Feb 21st 2008 3:09PM]

Who wants A2DP? All A2DP headphones and adapters sound like shit.

[freakmarket @ Feb 21st 2008 4:57PM]

You haven't used a Samsung BlackJack from ATT then ... that was the only thing i liked about the phone was that it's A2DP worked great.

[ReggieXuk @ Feb 21st 2008 3:12PM]

ill rather that than a classic

[cjc @ Feb 21st 2008 3:13PM]

I'm pretty sure this won't have AVRCP, so you'll still need to fish out your iPod to change the track. The 4G hack used a simple 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter. I assume it was because it's easier to naively solder the headphones jack wiring, than it is to mess with the dock connector.

[jcat1118 @ Feb 21st 2008 3:15PM]

Annie Lennox huh? Sweet. Nothing like a little A-Lennox after a long day of modding.

[john @ Feb 21st 2008 3:19PM]

Does it support Bluetooth FTP? So I can use it as a bluetooth-hard-drive for my Nokia N810? :-)

( is the 5G the "iPod Classic"? If I can get an iPod Classic, with mongo storage space, and bluetooth FTP, I'd so get it just to use as a hard drive for my N810... )

[evengrift @ Feb 21st 2008 3:37PM]

John we understand you have a Nokia N810 internet tablet.

Now please, find a large rock, and smash it and yourself.

[dj-kenpo @ Feb 21st 2008 5:44PM]

we have an 810 to play with at work. we should send it to you john, the thing is slow as hell and clunky. i don't see why anyone likes it. we all laugh when someone pulls it out to test something on.

[Blaktornado @ Feb 21st 2008 3:19PM]

you don't look so pretty without your skin...

[Blaktornado @ Feb 21st 2008 3:22PM]

yeah, you don't look so pretty without your skin.

[Blaktornado @ Feb 21st 2008 3:23PM]

argh where is that darn edit/delete button? I wish Engadget had one...

[tony @ Feb 21st 2008 7:27PM]

I do too.

[The 3rd Hot Dog @ Feb 21st 2008 3:55PM]

Yeah, like white?

[Mert @ Feb 21st 2008 4:00PM]

I think we should have a poll for how many of us thinks it is the 5th geenration iPod and still doesn't come with a built in bluetooth. Not even my freaking iPhone supports A2DP...

First ever apple product I've bought and such a disappointment. well if we're goign to talk about how many things iPhone software is lacking, it is long long list... They should put their efforts towards adding new feature rather than trying to get ahead of DevTeam's hacks. Take multiple SMS functionality for instance. The phone has been in the market for 3/4 of a year and we just got it. It is basics Apple.. basics...

[notaniphoneowner @ Feb 21st 2008 4:04PM]

Actually, I consider a functional UI the basics, tacking on features I barely use on my phone which is CAPABLE of them is icing on the cake.

[Mert @ Feb 21st 2008 4:11PM]

I totally agree with you on that of course. My frustration starts when you get passed that point and look beneath the surface :)) I hat sorting out that headphone cable after being used to using one Windows Mobile device with A2DP support.

What do you guys think though the reasoning behind Apple not providing Bluetooth for its iPod line-up? Is it purely cost? If Apple picked-up on A2DP for iPods, bluetooth stereo headsets would sell tones...

[Mert @ Feb 21st 2008 4:04PM]

I think we should have a poll for how many of us thinks it is the 5th geenration iPod and still doesn't come with a built in bluetooth. Not even my freaking iPhone supports A2DP...

First ever apple product I've bought and such a disappointment. well if we're goign to talk about how many things iPhone software is lacking, it is long long list... They should put their efforts towards adding new feature rather than trying to get ahead of DevTeam's hacks. Take multiple SMS functionality for instance. The phone has been in the market for 3/4 of a year and we just got it. It is basics Apple.. basics...

[fstedie @ Feb 21st 2008 7:52PM]

I really would not have done this mod if Apple had put full A2DP stereo support on their iPhone/iTouch. While it is true that Bluetooth audio is not audiophile quality, it is great for the gym and anywhere else where you don't want to get tangled up!

[David @ Feb 21st 2008 8:02PM]

Where'd he get that faceplate from? It'll be cool painted a different color

[austin @ Feb 21st 2008 5:12PM]

then it wouldnt be clear....

[David @ Feb 21st 2008 7:51PM]

Thank you for your idiotic answer, it was extremely helpful.

I mean I could get one, then paint it. If anyone else has a stupid reply, keep it to yourself. Now if you have an actual answer, let me know.

[austin @ Feb 21st 2008 7:55PM]

you could just paint the original faceplate...

[David @ Feb 21st 2008 8:17PM]

Ok, Seriously? Please understand that I dont want your useless feedback. If you dont have any helpful replys, the stfu.

[Hung @ Feb 21st 2008 9:02PM]

David, please don't be disappointed that others pointed out your FAIL. Seeing austin's second reply, you should realize that no comment could be what you consider "helpful." You want the faceplate painted a different color. austin said that painting original faceplate would achieve the same effect with less hassle. I don't understand how that reply fails to help you.

Hopefully, the tone of my reply has come off as kind and my intent understanding. Truthfully, I wanted to highlight how much you FAIL, but thought that most people wouldn't want to read through a mean-spirited reply. I don't want to be mean. Your FAIL, both substantial and amusing, must be brought to the attention of all Engadget users as both a source of education and entertainment.

Pure Edutainment.

[Pavan @ Feb 21st 2008 9:51PM]

The panel is called the iVue and you can get it from the link below for $29. Just make sure you warm the existing click wheel up for some time with a hair dryer to separate it from the ribbon/membrane without ripping something. The best paint to use is the Krylon Fusion stuff. Just make sure you mask off the screen area with the name brand 3M Blue stuff...the store brand will leave behind gunk that will ruin your viewing! Also, I hope you have a 5G and not a Classic, because the Classic is a PITA to open. And to the person who said to just paint the current one...the whole point of this would be to paint it from the inside = no peeling, etc. As a bonus, the iVue seems to be avoiding scratches much better than the black plastic crap the iPod originally had.

http://www.rapidrepair.com/shop/1641-ivue-clear-panel-video-kit-full.html

[David @ Feb 21st 2008 9:56PM]

Thanks alot Pavan.

And Hung, go fuck yourself.

Good day.

[Pavan @ Feb 21st 2008 10:10PM]

Not a problem...and making Hung the captain of the Failboat is just gravy! If you end up getting the iVue, make sure you use a magnetic screwdriver! Nothing sucks more than having your iPod apart, excited to try the new faceplate out, the having to wait a week for new screws.

[Hung @ Feb 21st 2008 10:49PM]

I'm going to have to question that choice of screwdriver. Is it really safe to use a magnetic screwdriver in such close proximity to a harddrive?

Also, Pavan, when you say "gravy," you mean it's a good thing, right? I feel as though everything caught in my FAILnet is treated with the utmost care and subjected to the highest form of degradation: snooty vocabulary backing undeniable logic.

[Pavan @ Feb 21st 2008 9:49PM]

The panel is called the iVue and you can get it from the link below for $29. Just make sure you warm the existing click wheel up for some time with a hair dryer to separate it from the ribbon/membrane without ripping something. The best paint to use is the Krylon Fusion stuff. Just make sure you mask off the screen area with the name brand 3M Blue stuff...the store brand will leave behind gunk that will ruin your viewing! Also, I hope you have a 5G and not a Classic, because the Classic is a PITA to open. And to the person who said to just paint the current one...the whole point of this would be to paint it from the inside = no peeling, etc. As a bonus, the iVue seems to be avoiding scratches much better than the black plastic crap the iPod originally had.

http://www.rapidrepair.com/shop/1641-ivue-clear-panel-video-kit-full.html