you can still sync music to iPods using the music app/the finder on mac [0]. there’s a similar thing for windows as well [1]. on linux, i know the clementine music player supports iPod sync [2]. all these options let you use the original firmware!

0: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlde9a31f1/...

1: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/devices-windows/mchlbf...

2: https://github.com/clementine-player/Clementine/wiki/Portabl...

It is actually still supported directly Finder on macOS. Or, even better, just putting Rockbox on them and copying files over directly, and that’s well supported in Linux.

Pricing on the used market is maybe a bit high compared to some of the other options out there but the hardware still feels great and there’s massive aftermarket support so there are still benefits to an iPod.

The iPod aren’t supported anymore, they require iTunes which is no longer available on macOS.

Absolutely false. Why would you even post that?

iPods are 100% supported on macOS, and its Music program.

I have five Shuffles, and an iPod Video, and I use at least one of them almost every day, and sync them with my Macs monthly.