warren ott

Q: is it possible to update 5.5 gen. ipod to run 6 gen. os?

I want to use my 5.5 gen ipod, but I want to operate it with the software that runs on the 6th gen ipod. 
I have used Rockbox, but I would much prefer to run the 6th gen ipod software.  Is there any way to get it into the firmware?

Windows 7

Posted on Jun 24, 2016 10:19 AM

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Q: is it possible to update 5.5 gen. ipod to run 6 gen. os?

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  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jun 25, 2016 8:19 AM in response to warren ott
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Jun 25, 2016 8:19 AM in response to warren ott

    No.

     

    tt2

  • by warren ott,

    warren ott warren ott Jun 25, 2016 11:54 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jun 25, 2016 11:54 AM in response to turingtest2

    More specifically, what I want is the convenience of two features invoked in the context of the currently playing song screen:  1) adding the song to the on the go playlist; and 2) initiating shuffle play.  (The on-the-go addition is by far the more important feature.)

     

    These features are present in the [2.0.4 PC ?] firmware on my "7th" gen., 160 gb ipod, and also in the [1.0.4 PC ?] firmware on my 4th gen. ipod nano.

     

    I guess there may also be other versions of the firmware that have these two features.

     

    I do not mind going into a terminal to mod the firmware.  I tried Rockbox, but I removed it, mainly because the hard drive on my 5.5 gb, 80 gb ipod made a lot of scratching noises when I was using Rockbox.

     

    So, if I limit the question to Apple iPod firmware, is there any way to mod the firmware to get any version with the two features I mentioned onto my 5.5 gen., 80 gb iPod?

     

    Thank you for your prompt response to my initial inquiry.  I have followed "turingtest2" in the past, and I always find your knowledge and insights to be clear and helpful.

  • by turingtest2,Helpful

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jun 25, 2016 12:52 PM in response to warren ott
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Jun 25, 2016 12:52 PM in response to warren ott

     

    Apple iPod firmware, is there any way to mod the firmware to get any version with the two features I mentioned onto my 5.5 gen., 80 gb iPod?

     

    The short answer is no. The longer answer is that you can potentially make software to do almost anything that you want, but you'd have to do it all from the ground up. There isn't, so far as I'm aware, any way to trick iTunes into uploading the wrong firmware into the device, and if you did it would be in the wrong hardware and wouldn't work. Apple could probably add the relevant bits of the newer code into the older firmware source and recompile to make them work on the older devices, but they're clearly not going to. Those behind the Rockbox project could also look to implement similar features it they were so inclined, but I suspect that won't happen either.

     

    tt2

  • by warren ott,Helpful

    warren ott warren ott Jun 25, 2016 1:01 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jun 25, 2016 1:01 PM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks, again. 

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jun 25, 2016 1:39 PM in response to warren ott
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Jun 25, 2016 1:39 PM in response to warren ott

    You're welcome.

     

    tt2