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Rockbox is an alternative firmware for many MP3 players, including the [[iPod]].
Rockbox is an alternative firmware for many MP3 players, including the [[iPod]].


It has some advantages over the original firmware in a few ways:
== Comparison with the iPod's original firmware ==
It has some '''advantages''' over the original firmware:
* It can play more audio formats (FLAC, OGG, MIDI, etc)
* It can play more audio formats (FLAC, OGG, MIDI, etc)
* Its visual appearance can be customized
* Its visual appearance can be customized.
** For example, [https://github.com/rsh/rockbox-themes this theme] adds the release year to the While Playing Screen.
* When connected to a computer, it appears as a simple USB drive. One can just drag-and-drop music files onto it.
* When connected to a computer, it appears as a simple USB drive. One can just drag-and-drop music files onto it. In contrast, the original firmware requires either iTunes or macOS Finder to copy music to the device.
** In contrast, the original firmware requires either iTunes or macOS Finder to copy music to the device.


It also has some disadvantages:
It also has some '''disadvantages''':
* The controls are less intuitive than the original firmware.
* The controls are less intuitive than the original firmware.
** Once you get used to the controls, you might prefer them!
* The themes are community-sourced ([https://github.com/rsh/rockbox-themes#snazzybones-rockbox-theme even I have made one]), and vary wildly in quality.
* The themes are community-sourced ([https://github.com/rsh/rockbox-themes#snazzybones-rockbox-theme even I have made one]), and vary wildly in aesthetic and quality.


== Controls ==
== Controls ==


The controls on Rockbox differ from the original firmware.
The controls on Rockbox differ from the original firmware.
TODO: Finish this section.


Here's how we'll refer to the buttons in this section:
Here's how we'll refer to the buttons in this section:
Line 26: Line 23:
! iPod Hardware !! Rockbox
! iPod Hardware !! Rockbox
|-
|-
| Menu || North
| Menu || [North]
|-
|-
| Play || South
| Play || [South]
|-
|-
| Back || West
| Forward || [East]
|-
|-
| Forward || East
| Back || [West]
|}
|}
TODO: Finish this section

Latest revision as of 17:16, 1 June 2025

Rockbox is an alternative firmware for many MP3 players, including the iPod.

Comparison with the iPod's original firmware

It has some advantages over the original firmware:

  • It can play more audio formats (FLAC, OGG, MIDI, etc)
  • Its visual appearance can be customized.
  • When connected to a computer, it appears as a simple USB drive. One can just drag-and-drop music files onto it.
    • In contrast, the original firmware requires either iTunes or macOS Finder to copy music to the device.

It also has some disadvantages:

  • The controls are less intuitive than the original firmware.
  • The themes are community-sourced (even I have made one), and vary wildly in quality.

Controls

The controls on Rockbox differ from the original firmware.

Here's how we'll refer to the buttons in this section:

iPod Hardware Rockbox
Menu [North]
Play [South]
Forward [East]
Back [West]


TODO: Finish this section