# Vintage Audio Retrofit Boards Sprout Adds Bluetooth And USB-C To Classic iPods Without Changing Th By Ellen Smith | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-10-18 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintage-audio-retrofit-boards References: [yankodesign](https://www.yankodesign.com/2026/10/15/you-now-pair-your-old-ipod-with-airpods-thanks-to-this-motherboard-swap)  Certain Things created Sprout as a drop-in board for owners of older iPod 3rd-generation, 4th-generation and mini players, adding Bluetooth so they can use AirPods and keep noise cancellation without changing the original body or click wheel. It also brings USB-C charging and a microSD slot to hardware built around offline music libraries. Storage reaches 2TB, or about 500,000 songs, and wired listening still uses the headphone jack through a dedicated digital-to-analog converter. The board is shaped to replace Apple's original part without soldering, and local files move over USB-C without relying on iTunes. A Crowd Supply campaign is listed as launching soon, which keeps Sprout in the DIY upgrade lane rather than the mass-device market. The no-solder swap widens that lane to collectors and listeners who keep [local music libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offline-audio-players) but want [wireless playback](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-audio-adapters) and Apple's [original industrial design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipod-classic-fidget). Image Credit: Yanko Design, Certain Things ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 10.0/10 - Popularity: 100% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 100% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Retrofit Consumer Electronics:** Drop-in upgrade boards preserve beloved device designs while inserting modern connectivity, storage, and charging features into aging hardware. - **Offline Music Revival:** Growing interest in local media libraries creates space for products that combine high-capacity storage with contemporary playback expectations. - **No-solder Modding:** Tool-light hardware customization expands enthusiast markets by making technical upgrades more accessible to collectors and everyday users. ### Who This Affects Most - **Consumer Electronics:** Legacy device ecosystems gain new commercial relevance when modular components extend product lifespans without requiring full replacement. - **Audio Technology:** Hybrid listening products blend wired fidelity, wireless convenience, and noise-canceling compatibility for users who value both nostalgia and performance. - **Circular Economy:** Repairable and upgradable electronics reduce waste while creating specialized markets around preservation, personalization, and long-term ownership. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pocket Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidizs-ap30-music-boy.md) - [Retro Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classipod.md) - [Retro Music Player Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipod-classic-iphone-17-case.md) - [Retro Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ap30-music-boy.md) - [Click-Wheel Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/click-wheel-music-players.md) - [Semi-Exposed Portable CD Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disc-nano.md) - [Retro Sound Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/d32.md) - [Upcycled Audio Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Upcycled-audio-players.md) - [Modern Smartwatch Case](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/repod-c1.md)