This cool hack shows you how to retool an old 2.5" QVGA TFT iPod LCD screen in order to use it for another project. Lots of really good info about the pinout connectors of this screen in order to get it up and running in no time.

iPod LCD Hacking, via Electronics Lab

The incomparable ladyada tells us:

The next version of the Mintyboost is done and documented. This time it's based on the LT1302 chip instead of the MAX756, which can provide up to 600mA (although I've found that with 2xAA's it doesn't really go past 450mA). The layout was also improved for better efficiency. The upgrade was necessary as the latest Apple products really need a lot of current to charge and hopefully they will work better now!

Kit Upgrade! Mintyboost v2.0 is 2x better

This hack shows how to create a large iPod remote for the visually impaired by hacking an existing OnStage remote and stuffing it inside a large case with custom buttons. This maker wanted to give his grandfather access to audio books on an iPod but had to fashion his own controller since his grandfather has lost most of his vision.

Supersized iPod remote control for the visually impaired

My friend has been carrying around this empty shell of a Micro Muzak Model 1008 for years with the intention of converting it in to something... someday. Apparently this was used in a university to pump the college station through all the buildings and had long since been left to fall in to ruins.

Using parts you can easily get and very little modifications to the actual case it came out looking preatty good. We reused the original knobs where they were still available for that original look. The tubes were left on the case to look cool, they do nothing.

I admit this is less of an instructable and more of a hey-check-this-out-able, but maybe it will inspire you to make something neat.

Don't want to shell out a few hundred bucks for one of those iPod speaker docs? This Tupperware homebrew dock and speaker set is a cheap alternative and pretty simple to build with little overhead investment. There's even a trapdoor for easy access for your iPod when you hit the road.

Ipod Cool & Creative DIY Speaker!

Pianist (used to be named iAno) is a virtual piano application for the iPhone/iPod touch. Remember Schroeder, who could play such astounding music on his toy piano?

[via]

David Jurick, Adam and Damien Stolarz, authors of our forthcoming iPhone Hacks book, were interviewed by Xeni at last month's Maker Faire for this BBtv segment.

iPhone Hacks with Xeni

Instructables user avik writes:

I got my first Vespa about a year ago and have loved tooling around New York on it. From day one though I wanted to be able to listen to my iPod as I zip around but the idea of riding with headphones on in all that trafiic seems crazy. When I read on a Vespa forum that there is a secret compartment behind the two knee pads that are above the glove box I saw the opportunity to do a really cool mod to my scooter.

This instructable covers circuit design, custom 3D modeling, and modding existing components, all in order to tote some tunes on your ride.

Well, it won't win any awards for high-fidelity (or even middle-fidelity), but this Instructable, which turns a Hallmark audio greeting card and a mini cereal box into an iPod speaker, might be a fun kids project.

Make an iPod Speaker from a Hallmark Music Card

Packing up for Maker Faire, I was debating whether to bring my old iPod as a back-up to my iPhone. That got me thinking about ways I might make use of my iPod besides just insuring music and address book redundancy. On TravelHacker, I found this round-up of 75+ tutorials on everything from turning it into a guitar tuner to using it as a universal remote, to an ebook reader, to turning it into money (ah, as in selling it...).

How to: Turn Your iPod Into Anything (75+ Tutorials)

This circuit-bent 3G iPod from 2004 has a bright red LED on the front, a large on/off rocker switch on top, a pitch-bend mod wheel and the ability to play glitchy guitar solos. Check out the link to the sounds it makes below.

A guitar-solo-playing circuit-bent iPod

This version of the Owl Project's "iLog" plays glitchy electronica and noise while the sounds change based on the built in photocells in its base. Pretty cool aesthetics to the design of the body although this might be a hard thing to fit in your pocket as a portable music player.

Owl Project

LEGO-touch is an application for designing LEGO creations on your iPhone or iPod Touch. From the website:

View, post, build, or edit other LEGO maniacs projects. Create your own LEGO characters in pals, post your LEGO self to represent in share. Play and download different LEGO games or challenge anyone to a build-off! Personalize your bricks with color-slider and more...

The community aspect of this software seems pretty interesting to me; collaborative designs, perhaps! - Link.

iPod laser pointer - Link

This iPod Touch "Pixelizer" filter by Franko Dodonpa is a really simple way to turn your Personal Media Player into a nice conversation piece at your next party. Plus it's a pretty simple project you can build in a few hours.

iPod Touch Pixelizer [via] - Link, see also TV-Filter and GrooveTube, Angela Bulloch's building size version.

Here's a cool project to make use of the sturdy packaging that came with your iPhone. The "iHole" is a pinhole analog camera that actually takes pretty good pictures. Check out the how-to at the link below.

[via], Link

They also have an earthworm nursery, for some reason I really like the idea of kids raising worms... and of course wearing "bug watches" - what time is it? Bug time for the Entomologists.

More:

• Insect Lore - Link.
• More photos of Insect Lore @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Remember this Sony walkman from the 1980s? I actually used to have one of these to play all my old tapes. Here's a nice hack that fits a standard iPod into the housing so that you can use your old housing without having to purchase an extra case for your MP3 player.

Perfect fit - [via], Link

Instead of carrying around too many personal effects, here's a how-to by professional comic book artist Kody Chamberlain, on creating this snugly fit iPod Moleskin case.

[via] - Link

Bird-Electron presents this one and only Recycling Speaker for iPod. The dimension is exactly the same as the plastic package for iPod Nano (1st & 2nd Gen.) and iPod Shuffle (2nd & 3rd Gen.). Simply just place the speaker panel on top of the open box, and plug it into the iPod and play. Bird-Electron's recycling speaker does not require any power source. You can also customize your own recycling speaker with any small container like a water bottle. Easy to install.

Related:

Fold-Up Speakers - Link.

Make - Volume 11 - Ball of Sound (DIY: Home) (Page 142) - Link.

Make - Volume 12 - Styrofoam Plate Speaker (DIY: Music) (Page 131) - Link.

This diamond iPhone was made with 420 cut diamonds and sports a total of 5.65 carats. Pretty crazy way to embellish technology that might be getting a major upgrade in the months ahead. We just wonder how many iPhones could be bought for the amount the diamonds are worth.

Amosu Luxury and Customised Mobile Phones - Link, [via]

The $100 iPhone+iPod Touch Stand - Link
Make an iPhone/iPod stand from a business card - Link

Related:

• HOW TO - Make an iPhone stand with a laser cutter - Link

It's hard to believe this iPod actually still works. Encased in a cube of resin, it weighs a ton and loses all of its portability, but can still be charged and remotely controlled since its dock is also in the cube. Just don't try using the click wheel.

Exploded iPod Still Works - Link [via]

Add More GB to your iPod Mini - Link

Related:

• HOW TO - Turn your iPod mini into a flash based iPod - Link

45 Nano Cases - [via] Link

Related:

• HOW TO - Vinyl record table lamp - Link
• DIY Dali vinyl record clock - Link
• Glasses made from vinyl records - Link

Etymotic ER-6 iPhone Hack (with a Knife) - [via] Link