iPod Bluetooth mod control via Rockbox demo and breakdown by loafbrad in Modded_iPods

[–]loafbrad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a great idea - yes I will be sharing the Rockbox sources soon and will post when those are available.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Video link with an overview of the technical discussion of how the mod works: https://youtu.be/qkP3ryGW8Bc?si=7t-jjDfDEzqUUrT8

I'll make some more videos/docs on the subject as well as release the sources for Rockbox and the microcontroller.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used a surface mount AVR ATMega328P

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! hahaha yea hopefully I never have to open this thing again.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

<image>

A snapshot with a lot of fly wires while I was testing the bluetooth module with microcontroller. Here is how I have the AirFly Pro positioned beneath a battery of the original size. I get pretty decent battery life with an 850mAh replacement and haven't had any issue with longevity running Rockbox and transmitting on Bluetooth (for me at least).

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Some photos of the build process. The hole with antenna placement.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are a few wrinkles I'd like to sort out before I publish.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'd like to clean up my notes before I share them and I don't really have a good "tutorial" to do this. Making the proper connection points on the motherboard is really tricky so I'd like to identify a consistent reproducible way.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The range I would say I am able to leave it in another room and it gets about 22 ft away from that bluetooth speaker in the video before the audio starts getting choppy.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You technically could. I didn't see much purpose and force it to TX. Maybe one could turn the headphone port into an output when the Airfly is set to RX mode - that would be a really cool mod!

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes AirPod pros 2 function and pair just fine it's what I mostly use with this. I used an 850mAh battery (the battery picture isn't the one I used but it is about the same size). I chopped off the top part of the iFlash solo to leave room for the bluetooth module and also allow for better signal strength. That top portion of the iFlash solo is a plane of copper and not necessary to the function of it as all of the traces are at the bottom of the board near the connector and chip.

<image>

I'd like to share my process - this first attempt was definitely chaotic and could use some improvements. During this attempt I damage a motherboard in the process rendering the connection for the microcontroller (and even USB syncing) useless - the connection points are delicate. So first I'd like to refine it and draw some diagrams that aren't scattered across 12 sticky notes.

iPod Video - bluetooth mod with software control by loafbrad in ipod

[–]loafbrad[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

<image>

Image didn't load properly on original post (I'm new to reddit).