Apple serial number decoder

This page takes an Apple serial number and dumps what it knows about it.

Here's sample output from my iPod serial:

Serial number: [redacted]
Name: iPod Mini (Second generation)
Model: Mxxxx iPod Mini 4GB Silver
Group1: iPod
Group2: Mini
Generation:
ModelCode: ipod_mini_2g
Screen size: 1.6 inch
Screen resolution: 138x110 pixels
Colour: Silver
Capacity: 4GB
Factory: JQ (China)
External link: Technical specifications by apple-history.com
Model introduced: 2005
Production year: 2005
Production week: 15 (April)
Production number: 34353 (within this week)

rockbox report: sandisk sansa e260

Got my hands on the e260, put it in normal USB mode (MSC "Mass Storage") and plugged it into my linux box.

Ran the installer (requires sudo or root access): it found the device. Pressed the Install Bootloader button (only necessary the first time) then the Install Rockbox button. I looked around and installed some themes while I was at it.

It is not an exaggeration to say from the time I opened the box to the time it booted up into Rockbox was less than 5 mins. Probably less than 4 mins. First track played? Eno's Music for Airports, Track 1, which I bought off Amazon in 2009.

Rockbox makes the stock firmware look like a child's plaything. Rockbox puts the user in control. I recommend rockboxing your player if it's in the list of supported devices.

rockbox

rockbox is free / open source firmware for mp3 players. Probably most common on iPods and Sansa players, but it runs on many platforms and adds features like video playback, game emulation, small apps, and massive amounts of customizability. See what yours would do.

I've been intending to snag a used mp3 player that is amenable to rockboxing, but hadn't done it until recently. I traded a handful of serviceable (but not rockboxable) units to get a Sansa e240r e260 and a beat up 2G iPod Mini. I'll install the firmware on them and will report back when I do so. Until then I've got a Sansa c240 that is officially not supported (classified as "unusable" with rockbox) but I've got it loaded up and am listening to mp3 and FM Radio on it now. The "unusable" rockbox is already better than the firmware that came with the unit.