Old iPods have a kind of stubborn charm that never really fades, but the missing modern basics can be hard to ignore. Sprout tries to fix that with a full motherboard replacement that brings USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a much more flexible music setup into the mix.
The appeal is obvious. Instead of letting a classic iPod sit in a drawer because the charging cable is annoying or the features feel dated, Sprout gives it a fresh core and a shot at daily use again. It turns the familiar click-wheel nostalgia into something that feels a lot more practical.
Sprout is designed as a full swap, not a tiny tweak. The original motherboard comes out, and a new board takes its place, along with software and hardware built for modern listening habits.
That means a USB-C port for charging and file transfers, plus wireless support for Bluetooth earbuds and Wi-Fi connections. Music can be dragged over without relying on iTunes, which already makes the whole thing feel less fussy than the old setup.
The bigger surprise is that the upgraded iPod can also tap into streaming apps on some versions. That opens the door to Spotify or Apple Music on hardware that was never meant to handle that world, and that alone makes the project stand out.
Two versions are in the works, and each one is aimed at a different part of the iPod family. Sprout Pi is built for third- and fourth-generation iPods, while Sprout Pico is made for the smaller iPod Mini.
The Pi version uses a Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero, while the Pico runs on a Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller. Both are meant to revive the same old-school hardware spirit, but with a very different brains-under-the-hood approach.
There are a few differences between them that matter. Sprout Pi supports streaming apps, while Pico is more limited and does not handle those services, even though it still adds Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Audio quality also gets some love. Both versions include a Cirrus Logic CS43131 high-fidelity DAC, or something similar, along with two GPIO pins and microSD support that can take storage up to two terabytes.
Battery life is another big part of the pitch. The Pi and Pico are both expected to deliver around 40 hours of Bluetooth playback in compatible third- and fourth-gen iPods with a 2,500 mAh battery.
The Mini gets a shorter run, with the Pico expected to reach about 20 hours because of its 1,200 mAh battery. That still gives the tiny player a lot more breathing room than most people would expect from a device that first came out to hold a few albums, not power a modern wireless setup.
Installation is supposed to be refreshingly straightforward. A screwdriver and an opening tool are the main requirements, and soldering is not part of the plan.
That matters because a lot of upgrade projects sound cool until the build process gets intimidating. Sprout is being pitched as reversible too, so the original board can go back in if the modern makeover stops being appealing.
There is still some uncertainty hanging over the project, though. Much of what is being shown comes from prototype testing, so some features could shift before launch, especially with streaming support and app compatibility.
Features like Google Cast and AirPlay are still in motion, with AirPlay already tested on the Pi and still being worked out for the Pico. Even the battery estimates are based on prototype use, so real-world results could land a little higher or lower once people start putting the hardware through its paces.
No release date has been locked in yet, and pricing has not been announced either. The project is expected to launch soon through Crowd Supply, which means backers will likely get a chance to jump in when the campaign goes live.
That leaves Sprout in an interesting spot. It is part nostalgia trip, part serious hardware experiment, and part reminder that old devices do not always have to stay old in the ways that matter most.
