Portable Audio & Video Player Linux Compatibility: Apple
Compatibility guides about Linux and
portable digital audio/music players manufactured by
Apple Computer Inc.
iPod: Mini, Nano, Shuffle, Video.
Reports about running other Unix systems e.g. BSD, Solaris are welcome, too.
And don't miss the general resources section at the bottom, containing links
to utilities (mostly available under GPL), community efforts, HOWTOs and FAQs.
Do you have written an installation or compatibility report yourself? Please submit a new entry.
Applications
podLoadr
podLoader
allows you to load content from the Web or other desktop
files onto your iPod. Later, for example while traveling, you can check
out news from any RSS feed, the weather, or the contents of any file from
your desktop. It uses the "Notes" feature on third-generation or later
touch wheel iPods.
Ipod MovieMaker
Ipod movie maker
is a dialog window bash script that allows you to
merge *.txt subtitles with movie files and save the result in AVI format.
You may convert many kinds of video to .mp4, which is an iPod Video
compatible format. You will be only questioned about the location of a
source movie, subtitles, encoding (default is WINDOWS-1250), font location
(default is /home/$USER/.mplayer/font/subfont.ttf), and where to save the
resulting .mp4 file. You can have each work done separately, or have whole
process done at once, from hardcoding subtitles to encoding to iPod format.
Simple iPod Video Encoder
Simple iPod Video Converter (SIVE)
is a GTK 2 frontend to mplayer,
mencoder, and mp4creator. With it, you can convert your movies to play
them on your iPod very easily.
thin liquid film
thin liquid film (TLF)
is an application that allows Linux users to
quickly and easily convert video files into a format suitable for playing
on the video capable iPods. It uses the ffmpeg engine and allows batch
processing of any number of files, displays detailed information about
source video files, saves default settings for future sessions, has
configurable output quality settings, and displays a progress bar. Encoded
files can be uploaded directly to your iPod.
pypod
pypod
is Python library and script for managing iPod metadata. It
is similar in scope the gnupod and is designed to work well with other
programs that generate iPod metadata.
PodSync
PodSync![[archived link]](/pics/archived.png "archived link"){kind=small}
is a tool for synchronizing kabc
(~/.kde/share/apps/kabc/std.vcf) and kaddressbook
(~/.kde/share/apps/korganizer/std.ics) files of a user with an iPod. The
GUI is very simple, with just a three-step wizard.
myPod
myPod
is a platform-independent program to manage your MP3
collection, create playlists, and synchronize them with an iPod.
Whale
Whale
is a GNOME 2 application which provides a simple interface
for creating playlists and storing songs on your Apple iPod.
ipodlinux
ipodlinux
is a Linux port for the Apple iPod based on ucLinux.
gtkpod
gtkpod
is a platform-independent GUI for Apple's iPod, using GTK2.
It supports playlists (simply drag your songs), ID3 tag editing, multiple
character sets for ID3 tags, duplicate song detection, offline
modification of the database with later synchronization, comfortable
sorting options for easier browsing of your songs, and more.
libgpod
libgpod
is a shared library to access the contents of an iPod. This library is
based on code used in the gtkpod project.
libgpod supports playlists, smart playlists, playcounts, ratings and podcasts.
Support for cover art and photos is currently being tested.
gnuPod
gnuPod
is a collection of tools which allow you to use your iPod
under Linux and other UNIX- like operating systems. HFS+ and FAT32
formatted iPods are supported.
SyncPOD
SyncPOD
syncs a local directory with your iPod. If the directory is
larger than the space on your iPod, you can sync this larger directory
with a master playlist.
xtunes
xtunes
is a comprehensive digital music system. It supports ripping CDs, burning CDs, playing
digital music (MP3 and Ogg Vorbis), and organizing digital music in a library with playlists.
xtunes now supports the Apple Computer Inc. iPod(tm). Simply drag songs or playlists onto the iPod(tm) icon and
they are automatically transferred to the iPod(tm).
RhythmBox
The GNOME based iTunes
clone, Rhythmbox
offers support for the
Apple iPod
.
freemymusic
freemymusic
is a simple program that allows you to download
individual MP3 files from your iPod.
tunes2html.pl
tunes2html.pl
is a Perl script that reads the data from an iPod's iTunesDB file and generates an HTML file and a text file, each containing an organized list of the songs and playlists on the iPod.
tunes2html.pl is based on tunes2pod.pl from GNUpod by Adrian Ulrich.
inewsd
inewsd
fetches full text news stories from Reuters.com via their
RSS interface and then places them in iPod-friendly text files in a
directory you choose (normally $IPOD_MNT_PATH/Notes/News). It can either
do a one-shot mode or run in daemon mode. In both modes, the program will
wait until the target path exists before proceding. In daemon mode, it
will wait (by default) 10 minutes in between updates, then flush the news
directory and re-fetch the articles. It should be usable with any of
Reuters' RSS feeds, and wouldn't be overly difficult to port to other news
sites.
PodsBlitz
PodsBlitz
copies songs from an iPod to a computer, thus addressing
a shortcoming of the iTunes/iPod combo. It is intended to be easy to use,
requiring no installation other than copying the single JAR file to the
iPod and double-clicking it.
Did you ever want to copy songs from your iPod, but all you could find were MP3 files with cryptic names ? PodsBlitz gives you access to your music. Just download the file to your iPod and double-click it to start, that's all.
GUIPod
GUIPod
is a KDE/Qt based graphical front-end for managing songs and playlists on an Apple iPod(TM). It uses the tools from the gnupod project.
iPod-Linux Installer Project
The goal of the iPod-Linux Installer Project
is to create an easy to use GUI program that enables Mac OS X user with iPods to install linux on HFS+ formatted iPods while still allowing users to keep and use the Apple Supplied OS.
Video Player
Video player,
video HOWTOs, conversion methods and sample videos.
jShuffle
jShuffle
is a Java application which allows you to use your iPod
Shuffle under GNU/Linux and many other operating systems. It features per
song volume settings, start and stop time, and play count. This software
will read and write the iTunesDB data stored on the iPod. It also supports
the iTunesSD and iTunesShuffle data which are only in the Shuffle version
of iPod.
rubypod
rubyPod
is a graphical frontend for managing a iPod on Linux, relying on gnupod tool collection as its backend.
YamiPod
YamiPod
is an application to efficiently manage your iPod under Mac
OS X, Windows, and Linux. It can be run directly from your iPod and needs
no installation. It also has extra features such as lyrics support (with
Web search), RSS news and podcast support, removal of duplicates, an easy
note editor (with multi-page support), song synchronization, playlist
export, and much more.
OpenPhotoPod
OpenPhotoPod
is a gallery managment tool for the iPod Photo which
enables you to add, edit, and view the photos on your iPod.
PodFetch
PodFetch
utilizes the iPod's ability to store and display short
text files to allow you to view RSS feeds, weather forecasts, movie
showtimes, and other text documents on your iPod when you are away from
your computer.
iPodRaze
iPodRaze
is a program that lets users copy songs from their iPods
back to their own computers. The core of iPodRaze is a free iTunes-iPod
database parser which was written to be portable, easy to use, and
object-oriented.
iPod Slave
iPod Slave
is a KDE ioslave that enables KIO aware applications
(like most KDE applications) to access the music stored on an Apple iPod.
It creates a virtual directory structure where songs can be copied into or
moved around to manage albums or create playlists.
libQtPod
LibQtPod
provides access to the contents of an Apple iPod. The code
was formerly part of the kio ipodslave, but is now a separate Qt-based
library. The library features reading and writing of the iTunesDB music
database and provides access to hardware specific information like disc
space statistics.
reTune
reTune
is a tool that generates and manages the internal database
of Apple iPod MP3 players. The special thing is that the user may manage
his files himself, just like with any other MP3 player. reTune then makes
these files playable.
With reTune, you can copy music to the iPod with Explorer, Finder, Konqueror, Nautilus or any other file manager you like (yes, cp will work, too ;) and have it played back by the iPod with (almost) no hassles. The only thing you have to do is start this litte program just after plugging the iPod into your USB port and before unplugging it.
iPod shuffle Database Builder
This little program
enables iPod shuffle users to finally get rid of all that iTunes
or other complicated playlist management stuff. Due to the simple structure of the shuffle (compared to the "big" iPods), it is possible to use the player almost like any other USB flash MP3 player: You simply copy MP3 files onto it. You only need to run the Database Builder program after you added or removed files from the iPod.
PodMail
PodMail
brings together telephony and podcasting by integrating
with Asterisk to provide a secure podcast of your voicemail. Each time you
dock your iPod, your new voicemails will be synced, allonwing you to listen
to your voicemail at your convenience and without using a cell phone. If
configured for public access, you can update your podcast simply by making
a phone call.
libipoddevice
libipoddevice
is a device-specific layer for the Apple iPod (http://www.apple.com/ipod). libipoddevice provides iPod-specific HAL event notification to applications, and along with objects representing an iPod, which gives the application access to properties and features of an iPod.
libipoddevice also provides a debugging program, ipod to view iPod device properties, listen for iPod HAL events, and safely eject iPods (iPods must be unmounted, then ejected).
Dopi
Dopi
is a tool for updating songs on Apple iPod devices.
It is similar to gtkpod.
CastPodder
CastPodder
is a media aggregator that automatically downloads
podcasts to your computer or portable device, leaving you 'one click away'
from the latest media feeds. It is based on the iPodder idea of Adam Curry.
PyBMP is needed.
GPixPod
GPixPod
is an application for uploading and organizing photos and
photo albums on recent Apple iPod models.
FUSEPod
FUSEPod
is a virtual userspace filesystem which mounts your iPod
into a directory for easy browsing of the songs it contains. It can
discover where your iPod is mounted, supports read-only operation, and has
a configurable directory layout.
libipod
libipod
is a lightweight library written in C for the management of the Apple iPod. It includes wrappers for C++ and Python, as well as a number of example programs. libipod is the basis for the iPod support in Lsongs, a GPL music manager/player for Linux published by Linspire, Inc.
Neutrino
Neutrino
, formally GnomeDAP, is a GNOME based application for managing your Creative Nomad / D.A.P Jukeboxes. Support for talking to the hardware is provided by utilising libnjb, which as Creative will not give out the relevant information, is a reverse engineered user space driver for Linux and *BSD.
gPodder Media Aggregator
gPodder
is a Podcast receiver/catcher written in Python, using GTK. It manages podcast feeds for you and automatically downloads all podcasts from as many feeds as you like.
gPodder can copy podcasts to your iPod automatically, so you can take your podcasts anywhere you like.
iPodHurd
iPodHurd
is an open source venture into porting GNU Hurd onto the iPod.
Podtool
Podtool
is a Python-based utility for managing tracks between a
local music repository and an iPod. In particular, it implements correct
playcount and ratings synchronisation, which is important when using smart
playlists. If you've used iTunes and selective smart playlist
synchronisation, then you know what this does.
podsyncr
Podsyncr
allows you to sync photos and sets on Flickr to an iPod.
It currently only works with the 2nd generation iPod Nano. It downloads
the photos and stores them into an iPod photo database.
fysh
fysh
is a small perl script to fill an iPod shuffle with music. It chooses,
encodes, transfers, and registers the music into the iPod automatically. Its
name fysh stands for "Fill Your SHuffle".
Yellow Dog Linux Installs Neatly on an iPod
Yellow Dog Linux Installs Neatly on an iPod
"Forget bootable USB pendrives and use an iPod to boot Linux
on a Mac..."
RockBox
Rockbox
is an Open Source replacement firmware for mp3 players. It runs on a number of different models:
- Archos: Jukebox 5000, 6000, Studio, Recorder, FM Recorder, Recorder V2 and Ondio
- iRiver: H100 and H300 series
- Apple: iPod 4th gen (grayscale and color), 5th gen (Video), Nano and Mini 1st/2nd gen
- iAudio: X5 (including X5V and X5L)
- Additional models are in development
RockBox Themes Collection
- Green5G RockBox Theme
- jClix Rockbox Themes - iPod Video - an enhanced port of the iRiver iClix theme
- TKX5b: Rockbox themes for the iAudio X5
- RockBox-Themes Community Portal
iPodIcons
iPodIcons
change the icons on my iPod with a nice GUI.
iPodEdit
iPodEdit
is a command line program for editing resources in the iPod firmware.
HOWTOs
This guide explains
how to convert an AudioBook to make it ready for the iPod without iTunes (in German.
Resources
- back to Linux with mobile music players survey
- manufacturer site: Apple Computer Inc.
- Linux Mobile Guide - Installing, Maintaining and Tuning of Linux on Mobile Computers
- A Survey of Debian GNU/Linux Packages for Portable Audio and Video Players
- Linux Applications for Portable Music and Video Players
- free music
- free eBooks and AudioBooks
- do-it-yourself Apple (iPod) portable music and video player upgrading, repairing and modding
- FCC ID: unknown
- A list of hardware
, from Portable Audio Players, to PDAs, to mobile (cell) phones to DVD players, that can play Ogg Vorbis files.
- file conversions for portable media players: Ogg Vorbis, MP3s, video
- Deutsches Linux iPod Blog German
- Read/Write HFS+ Driver for Linux
- iPod on Linux SourceForge Project
- Linux HFS+ SourceForge Project
- Reverse-engineering of iTunes DB Format
- Mini, Shuffle, Photo, Nano and more, a survey of iPod Generations
Related Books
Guy Hart-Davis: How to Do Everything with Your iPod & iPod mini, Second Edition, 2004
Part I:
Enjoy Audio with Your iPod and iTunes 1: Understand the Different iPods-and Choose the Right One 2: Get Up and Running with Your iPod or iPod mini 3: Bring Yourself Up to Speed with AAC, MP3, and Digital Audio 4: Load Music onto Your iPod or iPod mini Using a Mac 5: Load Music onto Your iPod or iPod mini Using MS-Windows
Part II: Create and Buy Music Files, and Burn CDs and DVDs 6: Create, Edit, and Tag Your Audio Files 7: Buy Music from the iTunes Music Store 8: Download Audio Files from the Internet 9: Burn CDs and DVDs from iTunes
Part III: Put Your Contacts, Calendar, Notes, and Other Text on Your iPod or iPod mini 10: Put Your Contacts on Your iPod or iPod mini 11: Put Your Calendars on Your iPod or iPod mini 12: Create Notes and Put Other Information on Your iPod or iPod mini
Part IV: iPod Care: Advanced Topics and Troubleshooting 13: Keep Your iPod or iPod mini in Good Working Shape 14: Use Your iPod or iPod mini As a Hard Drive 15: Enhance Your iPod or iPod mini with Accessories 16: Master Advanced iPod Skills 17: Troubleshoot iPod and iTunes Problems
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© Werner Heuser 1997-2008 · http://tuxmobil.org/player_linux_survey_apple.html · last change Fri May 2 2008