7. The initial bootloader to load Rockbox was then...

7. The initial bootloader to load Rockbox was then just such a crafted HTML file that would load the correct firmware, and since it still worked after reboots it was a pretty neat hack.

8. Eventually the encryption key for the bootloader was found in the SRAM of the running device, and we could encrypt and create custom "real" bootloaders for the devices.

9. Rockbox would then boot and run natively on ipods.

The rest is history.

Like 7 Dec 2023 at 9:10 | Open on mastodon.social

4 comments

Samuel

@bagder Awesome story!

7 Dec 2023 at 9:26 | Open on social.spejset.org

Wolf480pl

@bagder I think the html method is cooler, because if you screw up you can just delete the html file if something goes wrong

7 Dec 2023 at 9:41 | Open on mstdn.io

jack will miss this server

@bagder I loved Rockbox. I had an iPod Mini (found discarded in a house move) and put Rockbox on it in preference to entering the iTunes ecosystem. I configured the clickwheel so a long press Up would toggle "shuffle all". I could navigate to any album/track by doing this, hitting Next until I reached the right album, turning off shuffle and then Next/Back to get to the start of the album or the desired track. All with one hand and keeping my eyes and attention on the road. Not possible with touchscreen UIs!

7 Dec 2023 at 11:42 | Open on strangeobject.space

srslypascal

@bagder This story sounds almost like curl started as a bootloader for Rockbox :D

7 Dec 2023 at 11:57 | Open on chaos.social