What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?
My 16GB 5th gen iPod nano is dying. I'm looking for a replacement. Years ago Apple stopped selling anything except the iPod Touch, which is too large and fragile for me. I want something that fits into my pocket, with a long battery life.
"Long" means can be used for a couple of days without needing a charge, or in standby for weeks. As an example of "too fragile", I had a 7th gen. iPod with touch screen that broke after a month or two of the same treatment my 5th gen. handled for years. I went back to my 5th gen. after that.
I only need it for podcasts. I like dedicated hardware to reduce the temptation to connect to the world.
Since Apple decided to split up iTunes into different apps (I haven't upgraded my Mac yet, to keep iTunes), I'm also fine with switching to a new app to manage podcasts.
Any suggestions?
You could bump up to an iPod mini v2 and optionally swap out the internals for some extra storage space. The stock battery with the latest apple firmware lasts about 18 hours with 450mAh. There are better 1300mAh+ batteries that offer a lot longer time though. Like others have mentioned Rockbox firmware is also available and will increase the battery life too.
The iFixit site has nice repair articles for how to change the internals. An upgraded SDXC memory card with 128GB of space runs about $30. You could also buy a modded mini with this kind of storage off ebay for around $125 but it probably won't have the nicer battery life.
If you really like the nano you could also swap out the nano battery to bring it back to life. It doesn't look like the storage is replaceable though.
>I only need it for podcasts. I like dedicated hardware to reduce the temptation to connect to the world.
the newer cell-phone-yet-unconnected Sony Walkmans are pretty neat, and they have some nice DAC features.
The price is steep, but not Apple steep.
Have you tried looking for another iPod nano on ebay? Considering you seem fine with your current setup, you can keep it going for as long as you want.
Have you tried Mighty? It supports anything on Spotify. I use it for podcasts daily and I sync playlists of music to it as well for offline listening. It’s been great for my 11 year old mentee as I can update his Mighty with new music every week when we meet and not worry about giving him a screen that can get him in trouble at school or with his mom.
https://bemighty.com/
Haven't seen anyone yet suggesting a watch perhaps. I have a Garmin smart watch which comes with offline syncing for spotify and amazon or even direct mp3 upload. Works flawlessly out in nature and lasts days.
I'd go with any device that Rockbox (https://www.rockbox.org/) has a stable port for. I've been using a SanDisk Sansa Clip+ for 10 years and am still very happy with it.
Your "connect to the world" limitation rules out just using your phone (which is really the most straightforward answer).
But is there some reason you can't just pickup a second-hand unlocked Android phone, no-sim, preferably with a user-replaceable battery, and then load it with a pod-cast listening app. such as:
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.ph1b.audiobook/
If you turn off all the radios (airplane mode) and don't run the screen that often, you might also come close to your day-or-two without recharge requirement as well.
Sony has some wireless headphones that contain an MP3 player, but if you want to keep your existing headphones or have a screen that probably isn’t a good solution!
> Since Apple decided to split up iTunes into different apps (I haven't upgraded my Mac yet, to keep iTunes), I'm also fine with switching to a new app to manage podcasts.
Just an FYI, you don’t have to hold out on updating your Mac to sync your podcasts. Apple Podcasts still syncs with classic iPods.
There’s really very little difference between iTunes and Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, it’s just split out. Audiobooks are also moved to the Books app but otherwise the functionality is really similar to iTunes.
Whether you like the new podcasts UI is another matter entirely.
A cheap phone without a sim would be way more capable alternative though
How, specifically, is the hardware dying?
iPods are extremely easy these days to mod, fix, and even upgrade storage space on - /r/iPods is often full of these fantastic projects. There is also /r/iPodhacks.
It's fairly easy to take them apart and can be fun. You can extremely easily and cheaply get parts like battery replacements (sometimes even w/ extra capacity), screen replacements, and sometimes even storage upgrades. (Although I honestly think the 5G nano might be out of that last category. Moreso talking about Minis, full-size iPods, and, IIRC, 1st/2nd gen nanos.)
Of course, it's not for everybody; and, definitely, it might be useful to get another device suggested by someone else here as a backup or something. But this is HN, so I figure it's an adequately geeky suggestion. :) I am also into the environmental impact of fixing things vs. buying new things.
EDIT:
Here's a reliable resource for parts I have used in the past - (please note I am not affiliated with the site, just saying it has worked for me):
https://www.idemigods.com/Apple_iPod_Parts_s/77.htm
Sony Walkman series are essentially iPods that can also carry Android apps so you can install something like PocketCasts on them directly and download/stream podcasts without even connecting to computer.
I think the most expensive Garmin smartwatches can hold and play music (wirelessly) without actually being connected to a phone or other device. Probably not a great UI experience for podcasts though.
I'd be any old android device without a sim and load up pocketcasts on it. You can connect to wifi to download everything and disconnect otherwise.
I've used the OUKITEL WP5 as a device when going on multi day hikes. 8k battery + water resistance.
https://www.pocketcasts.com/
Not to derail, but does anyone have a suggestion for the same, but for audiobooks?
My SO's Honda doesn't support playlists or bookmarks, and most of the apps we've tried either don't scale well for large libraries or are built for podcasts, so something simple and standalone with those features would make her happy.
Try the Fiio M5, or just about any player by Fiio. Its audiophile grade so you are also going to get great audio.
Get an M9, M11 or M11PRO depending on budget (https://fiio.com/m9). These are also high fidelity players so you get a lot of value for the buck. Fiio is killing it in this field. I own an M11Pro and does everything.
BTW: Have you tried smartphone + battery pack + battery saver enabled + airplane mode?
Should last you a long time.
I use pocketcast which allows me to switch between listening on my phone and my laptop quickly and without having to search for the position I stopped at.
If I am sitting on my machine I use the computer, if I shop for groceries or commute I use my phone.
MY recommendation would be a modified iPod 5th or 7th gen Classic if you don't mind the larger size. These iPods can be upgraded with larger batteries and flash storage instead of a hard drive making them long lasting and robust.
You can do the modification yourself on iPod with a broken hard drive or buy one on eBay already modified. (Tip: The 5th gens are easier to modify than the 7th gens since they come apart a lot easier.)
Personally, I use a 5th gen Classic with 32GB of flash and a new battery. I modified it myself with a compact flash card and a new battery. It's been in use for about 3 years and I've had no real issues.
Buy an unlocked iPhone 12 mini with no phone plan, problem solved. Or, simply leave airplane mode on at all times and hide all your other non-podcast apps in a folder on the home screen. Or, use a VPN app to kill internet access to every app except for your podcast player.
If you haven't tried Castro (podcast app) on iOS yet, you'll never go back after using that app. I assure you, the delightful user experience will far outweigh the nostalgic fuzzies of podcast listening with an old school MP3 player.
Look at FiiO, they have dedicated hardware. Back then they produced headphone amplifiers for iPods, after those got canned, they start to produce their own iPod replacements.
Related: I'm looking for essentially the same product as OP but with the additional requirement that it's hackable. I'm trying to build a device that can play and record audio with a single hardware button that toggles between modes. For example, I'd like to be able to be listening to a podcast, push a single button once, record a memo to myself, push the same button again once, and be back to listening to the podcast.
Just use your phone. If the temptations of checking your phone are that high that it’s affecting your life than I’m willing to wager their are other issues, too
I use a Sony Walkman mp3 player.
I'm a big linux geek so I built a wallwart dock from a small arm computer, Linux, udev rules, fstab config making it networkable.
This is the calmest[1] solution I could find. I think it's a concept you'd be greatly interested in if you're having trouble managing your digital life.
1. https://calmtech.com/
I feel like there should be a specialist sturdy podcast listening device, small form factor, with super long battery life, WiFi, web interface, phono jack, maybe also ethernet port.
It would have a pod catcher running in it, and a basic screen to select show to listen to. I guess it would be useful to be able to read show notes.
With all the interest in podcasting lately I would have though it was a good startup opportunity.
I thought they were easy to replace batteries and storage? I found my old iPod at the weekend and love feeling that I'm not being monitored
I still have several iPod Shuffles that I use, so I understand your desire for utility and durability over feature bloat and chrome.
Try Goodwill's online auctions. There are always a number of iPods there. Sometimes they're in very good condition. You won't get like-new battery life out of them, but for podcasts, they should last you a couple of years at least.
I'm also looking for a low cost dedicated MP3 player. But I'd like it to support bluetooth. Is there anything decent?
Back in the pre-smartphone days I used to swear by Cowon devices. They're still around.
This might suit your needs:
http://m.cowonglobal.com/product/iAUDIOE3/
Nowadays I listen to audio books, podcasts, music, read ebooks etc all on the phone...
Thank you for posting this! I also have a 2009-era iPod nano that I've been using for the last decade, and am still using a flipphone, so can't listen to podcasts on that. My iPod still holds a few hours of charge, so it's still usable, but I've definitely been having the same succession planning thoughts as you!
Sansa Clip is okay if you don’t care about a big screen etc. Used to use one for running with and it was fine.
I really regret ditching my Sansa Fuze+ after I got my first smartphone. That thing had excellent battery life, an SD card slot, and supported rockbox.
I paid maybe $30 for it at the time, I sold it to a friend for like ten bucks. Now I try to find one online, and it's $80+ on eBay. Argh!
I use newsboat (cli program) to manage and download podcasts, which I sync to a Fiio M3k. it's solid, beautiful, and sturdy. Not using a smartphone for podcasts has been incredible for me, personally.
It might be worth scouring eBay for a replacement! I lost my iPod Nano years ago and ended up finding a newish one there to replace it. (Which reminds me... I need to find a new one.)
Garmin Venu watch + MPow Earbuds off Amazon. The Venu will sync automatically on WiFi when charging can be paired with your vehicle, the earbuds I suggested, among many other things.
The Sandisk Sansa Clip Jam seems to be close enough, and cheap.
Buy an older simple android with swappable battery and use it in airplane mode and the battery will last for days. Most can and will take 32 or 16 gig micoSD.
I don’t have an Apple Watch, but I would hope that could be used, seems like an obvious form factor.
Has Apple figured this out yet? (anyone who owns one...)
A Motorola G9 Power? It can last for sure more than 3 days with 6000 mAh
Another 5th gen and upgrade the storage to 500gb ?
I love my iPod Nano Gen 2 running Rockbox.
Apple Watch sans cellular
What about an Apple watch or another smartwatch?
An iPhone, about 15 years ago already.