Sprout Pi and Sprout Pico are full iPod motherboard replacements that bundle Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, a microSD card slot, and FLAC playback into a single upgrade, according to their maker, Certain Things. The two boards are among the few complete motherboard swaps that combine many of the most common iPod mods at once.
The firmware carries audio over USB for wired headsets as well as through the original 3.5mm jack. Bluetooth support allows connections to AirPods or a UE party speaker. Wi-Fi enables Google Cast and AirPlay streaming along with podcast downloads.
The higher-end Sprout Pi additionally supports streaming through Spotify and Apple Music, plus apps. That feature arguably works against the appeal that has brought iPods back into use, since many owners seek them out to step away from recommendation algorithms and limit distractions.
Neither board requires soldering, though opening an iPod remains an intimidating task for many owners. Sprout Pi works only with 3rd- and 4th-generation iPods and the iPod mini, a restriction that narrows how many devices the project can serve.
A crowdfunding campaign is planned through Crowd Supply, and no price has been announced. The company has not said when the campaign will begin. For US buyers, the boards will matter mainly to owners of those specific older iPod models who want modern connectivity without replacing the device.
The project arrives amid an established cottage industry of iPod modifications, spanning battery swaps, storage upgrades, and other retrofits. Most of those options address a single limitation, while the Sprout boards pair several popular changes on one replacement mainboard.
Certain Things has not disclosed further product details beyond the features described. Pricing and availability remain the open questions for anyone weighing the upgrade.
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