iPod & iTunes Hacks

by Hadley Stern

Book Overview

Some people are content to use their iPod simply to play music. Some people want to do much more. Those people, and you know who you are, aren't satisfied until they get under the hood and tap every iPod trick available to them. They want to explore and experiment, create shortcuts, and unearth cool and unexpected things to do with their iPod that have never even occurred to their friends. Maybe they want to use their iPod to read email. Maybe they...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596007787
• ISBN13: 9780596007782
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

For the serious hacker

While most of the hacks in this book are fairly benign, some are not for the feint of heart. In true hacker form, the author dismantles not only his iPod, but his car! You say you want to connect your iPod to a Linux machine? How about installing Linux right on your iPod! This is a terrific book for anyone with the hacker spirit. But be careful. It will definitely leave you wanting to buy at least one more iPod to play with.

Cool Book

I must say I love this book. If you have a iPod, GET THIS

Fun book

I am really enjoying this book. It's a breezy romp through a lot of different technology all in some way connected to novel uses of the iPod. Many of the articles are simply features or aspects of using the iPod or iTunes that simply may not have been apparent. My personal favorites are the ones where the iPod is used with something else. Though I don't own a BMW nor do I have the inclination to fabricate fiberglass, it was fun to see how you integrate your iPod to a BMW, including its onboard computer and electrical system. Booting linux on an iPod is almost a punk gesture, one that you might not consider especially useful, but seeing how it has been accomplished is half the fun. Its also a book about reverse engineering using the iPod as the center of several case histories. What is interesting is not just what you can do with an iPod but how you find out for yourself. By all means buy this book if you want to twist your iPod(s) (you may need a few to explore it all) but ... even if you want to do nothing and just live vicariously through others accomplishments, buy it anyway. I did find it really hard to play my iPod (which I enjoy doing while I read) and also to play with my iPod, something the book constantly challenged me to do. So, that's another reason to get two ... so you can listen to music on one and hack the other. Lots and lots of fun.

Another great "Hacks" book

From "Importing Lyrics into iTunes and iPod" (#53) to "Install Your iPod in Your Car, Permanently" (#11). Plenty of things to tweak and try. If you like to tinker, pull things apart, or generally prefer to live outside the mainstream - you'll love this book. Besides, who wouldn't want a book that contains the phrase, "Before I get into the specifics ... this hack is illegal." (#6)

Love your iPod, get this book!

So far I have really enjoyed the "Hacks" series from O'Reilly, and without a doubt this book is no exception. For those who increasingly find that the Apple iPod has in someway changed their lives for the better, this book is a great companion to the iPod. 100 tips, tricks, and interesting projects to give the user, developer, or hacker in all of us the edge on how to tweak the most out of our favorite portable device. If you love your iPod (or if have recently purchased your very own) like I do, you should check this book out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.