// The iPod: It's not just for music anymore. // // by logan5 // // http://www.oldskoolphreak.com The Apple iPod is probably the coolest MP3 player yet devised. It's compact, has great storage capacity and can do much more than just play music. With this in mind, you can use an iPod to assist you in your hacking, phreaking and UE activities. Although my iPod use has all been under Mac OS X, much of what I will be sharing should also be applicable to the Windows version of the iPod. I'm not aware of any Linux support for the iPod, but I'm sure it wonÍt be long before that happens. Also, even though some of what I'll be talking about can be done with a PDA, there are things that PDAs can't do that an iPod can, and an iPod will eliminate the need for you to carry two devices. Plus, since the iPod is generally recognized as just an MP3 player, you will draw less attention in your activities. Most people arenÍt aware of the additional features built into the iPod and think it only plays MP3s. You can use this to your advantage in various situations. >>> Storing text files, phone numbers and other data <<< One of the iPod's most underrated capabilities is that of it's ability to store and display addresses, phone numbers and other text-based data. If you have a collection of phone numbers that you want to access easily, you can store them on an iPod, as well as information from websites, articles and other sources. The amount of data you can store is limited only by the available space on the iPod's hard drive. In Mac OS X, you'll use two apps to transfer this data to the iPod: Address Book and iSync. Address Book installs with OS X, and iSync is a free download from Apple and will sync your Mac, iPod, PDAs and Bluetooth devices. In other operating systems, you can use any application that will export your data into the vCard format. Then you will mount the iPod on your desktop like any other storage device, and drag the vCard file into the CONTACTS folder of the iPod. You can also do this is OS X if you don't use iSync, but it's not as easy or fast. You'll want to enter phone numbers and addresses in the standard format that the application you're using calls for. But for text files, or other information, you can make a bogus address entry using the title you want to show up as the name, and paste the text file into the NOTES or COMMENTS field of your address entry. Then, when it gets transferred to the iPod, your entry will show up as just another address entry, and the text file will be displayed under the NOTES section of the entry. This is a handy way to take important information and text files on the road with you. You can add driving directions, WAP stumbling logs, notes, just about anything. >>> Running applications and transferring files <<< One thing an iPod can do that a PDA or paper notebook can't, is to be used as a hard drive. With storage capacities of ranging from 5GB to 30GB, there are lots of possibilities for use as an external storage device for your laptop when you are in the field. If there are applications that you want to use in your activities, but for whatever reason don't want to install them on your laptop, you can run them off the iPod. You can also use the iPod as a boot drive if you have an OS installed on it, and your computer supports booting from an external FireWire device. That might have certain advantages if you're concerned about certain files or info being discovered on your computer. NOTE: There have been reports concerning the original model of the iPod (Apple Model Number M8541) and using it in a boot drive mode. In some cases under extensive use in this capacity, the hard drive has burned out from the excessive read/write activity. When you play an audio file, it's buffered so the drive doesn't continusouly spin and it doesn't skip when you move it around; less wear and tear on the cute little drive inside the iPod. But the constant activity related to running an operating system seems to (in some cases) be too much for the drives in the first iPod models. The problem seems to have been addressed in later revisions. By the same token, an iPod can be connected to any FireWire equipped computer and be used to share and swap files as needed. On a Mac, the iPod will automatically mount on the desktop as an external drive. With any other system, provided it has the proper FireWire drivers installed, it should also be mountable as a hard drive. As info, thin, flexible FireWire cables are now available that are much better for field use than the standard thick cables that most FireWire devices ship with. With the small size of an iPod, you've got a great device for data storage that fits in your pocket and is easily concealable. NOTE: The iPods introduced on 4.28.03 no longer have a FireWire port built into the device. Instead, they now use a proprietary cable design: 6-pin FireWire connection on one end/proprietary iPod "Dock Connection" on the other. The connection looks similar to the power charger connection on some cell phones. Beginning in 6.03, the Windows version of the iPod will support USB 2.0, but will still use a proprietary cable to connect to a computer. >>> Storing audio files <<< Not wanting to ignore the obvious, you can take your favorite music in to the field with you. While you're at it, throw some episodes of RFA or Hackermind on too! There are bits of information that can be gleaned from any episode that will be helpful to your endeavors. Having eps from RFA or other radio shows on your iPod is handy way to access this info. You can also record memos and notes to yourself and put them on the iPod to retrieve as needed. You also can pick up an inexpensive cassette tape adapter and use the iPod in your car through your car stereo. >>> Conclusion <<< An iPod presents many opportunities for storage and transport of data and information for all your hacking, phreaking and urban exploration needs. The one drawback to the iPod that I do find, is that you can't enter information in the field as easily as on paper or a PDA. But having your text and audio information on one device makes things alot easier to manage as you're driving or walking around town. I highly recommend picking up a case or sleeve to protect the iPod if you're going to be using it outdoors alot.