A few weeks ago, I installed Rockbox on my trusty 30GB iPod Photo. Rockbox isn't one of the many applications that run on the iPod software platform; rather, it's firmware that completely replaces the iPod's, with the goal of expanding the possibilities and the limits of the existing hardware. In its current state, the Rockbox interface is utilitarian, graphically sparse, and reminiscent of a command-line system, and it lacks the flash of modern commercial MP3 players. But where it comes up short in pizzazz, it more than compensates in options and settings, many of which would make the default iPod jealous.

C]net