A user at iPod Hacks (http://www.ipodhacks.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=4236&forum=2&ipod-accessories) describes how he managed to extract fonts and graphics from the iPod's firmware.

It didn't take long for a hack to show up: iPodWizard (http://ipodwizard.port5.com/IpodWizard.zip) allows you to replace fonts and graphics in the firmware and also correct the firmware's checksum accordingly. You must

1. download the iPod Updater (http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/)
2. open the Updater executable in iPodWizard (http://ipodwizard.port5.com/IpodWizard.zip)
3. select the applicable firmware for your iPod model
4. modify to your liking ;)
5. write back to the firmware.
6. run the iPod Updater!

sweet.

Wicked! I wonder though how many hours it'll take Apple to take down the project... (modifying a firmware violates copyrights blabla)

It probably invalidates your warranty too, no? It may be something that should be downloaded and shelved for a time. ;)

Great. Did just that. Let others bug test it first, but I did download it before Apple goes after it with hammers and tongs...

A little late, but very comprehensive: Endgadget has a how-to (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000610023097/) how to replace your firmware with above's hack.

You can't hear it, but I just let out an very exicited "oooooooo" when I saw the "Hello Kitty" graphic on that pod!

And btw, Alex's find also just showed up on Wired's Blog (http://wiredblogs.tripod.com/cultofmac/index.blog?entry_id=552693).

But we already know that he's way ahead of everyone else. ;)

You can't hear it, but I just let out an very exicited "oooooooo" when I saw the "Hello Kitty" graphic on that pod!

And btw, Alex's find also just showed up on Wired's Blog (http://wiredblogs.tripod.com/cultofmac/index.blog?entry_id=552693).

But we already know that he's way ahead of everyone else. ;)
:smug:

Follow-up: (http://features.engadget.com/entry/1234000610023097/)

the ipods firmware can be updated without restoring the entire ipod, before running the updater follow these steps:

go on your ipod to ipod_control>device>sysinfo
and open the file in wordpad.
find this line of code:

buildID: 0x03028000 (3.0.2)
visibleBuildID: 0x03028000 (3.0.2)

change a number with a lower number

buildID: 0x03018000 (3.0.1)
visibleBuildID: 0x03018000 (3.0.1)

now the updater will think you have firmware version 3.0.1 and will let you update without restoring the entire thing.

this has been tested with 3g and 4g, the example above is 4g, the 3g uses different numbers but its virtually the some thing, just decrease the number. it should also work with other ipods but i’m not sure

(the ipod_control folder is a hidden folder)