Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#1

Post by dalke » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 9:53 AM UTC

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?

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#2

Post by square_usual » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 9:57 AM UTC

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.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#3

Post by dalke » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 10:15 AM UTC

square_usual wrote: post #2

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.

Oops, I didn't explain that part.

One of the joys of the iPod was that I didn't really have to worry about charging it on a regular schedule. It would hold its charge for a long time. Eg, I took it bike camping and listened to Hardcore History's multi-part episode on Genghis Khan over a couple of days, with no need to charge up.

That's no longer the case. The battery life has gotten worse over the last couple of years, likely from age. It now doesn't hold a charge for more than a couple of days. I suspect that if I buy another old iPod then its battery will also be 10 years old and not in good shape.

If I don't find a good option for new hardware, then used is definitely a backup alternative!

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#4

Post by synack » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 10:40 AM UTC

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.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#5

Post by haspoken » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 11:42 AM UTC

dalke wrote: post #3

square_usual wrote: post #2

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.

Oops, I didn't explain that part. One of the joys of the iPod was that I didn't really have to worry about charging it on a regular schedule. It would hold its charge for a long time. Eg, I took it bike camping and listened to Hardcore History's multi-part episode on Genghis Khan over a couple of days, with no need to charge up. That's no longer the case. The battery life has gotten worse over the last couple of year…

Apple does show they will do battery service on a 5g nano for $59, so it might be worth checking. Ifixit has a detailed guide, you might find a third party iphone repair shop willing to do the work.

https://support.apple.com/ipod/repair/service/pricing

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#6

Post by dalke » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 12:22 PM UTC

synack wrote: post #4

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.

It looks like most of those are old hardware. So far only see xDuoo as a new one.

What do you use for podcast management?

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#7

Post by dalke » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 12:24 PM UTC

haspoken wrote: post #5

dalke wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oops, I didn't explain that part. One of the joys of the iPod was that I didn't really have to worry about charging it on a regular schedule. It would hold its charge for a long time. Eg, I took it bike camping and listened to Hardcore History's multi-part episode on Genghis Khan over a couple of days, with no need to charge up. That's no longer the case. The battery life has gotten worse over the last couple of year…

Apple does show they will do battery service on a 5g nano for $59, so it might be worth checking. Ifixit has a detailed guide, you might find a third party iphone repair shop willing to do the work. https://support.apple.com/ipod/repair/service/pricing

Nicely spotted (re: Apple battery service)!

I saw the iFixit rating of "very difficult" and its need for specialized tools I don't have (at https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod+Nano+5th+Generation+Batter... ) and say "nope!"

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#8

Post by fiftyacorn » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 2:57 PM UTC

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

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#9

Post by dalke » Tue, Nov 03, 2020, 4:19 PM UTC

fiftyacorn wrote: post #8

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

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iPod_Nano says they are all difficult to fix, and they don't have batteries to sell.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#10

Post by Closi » Fri, Nov 06, 2020, 8:22 AM UTC

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!