iPod your trips

If you've got a photo-capable iPod you can use iWay to generate directions for your iPod. iWay integrates with Yahoo! maps to get step-by-step directions to where you're going. [iPod photo and up]

However, if public transport is the way you roll, iSubwayMaps offers downloadable subway maps for cities from Berlin to Hong Kong to New York, all optimized for your iPod. [iPod photo and up]

iPod your dinner

The PodGourmet offers downloadable recipe databases. The original PodGourmet offers 260 gourmet recipes; if animal products aren't your thing, you can get 277 gourmet vegan recipes. The PodGourmet offers a free version of each, along with the full versions for $7.50. [3G iPod and up]

Now that you've got the dinner taken care of, move on to the drinks with the free iPod Bartender. The iPod Bartender offers a whopping 230 drink recipes to match nearly any iPodGourmet recipe you can cook up. [3G iPod and up]

Your iPod controls the world

If you're willing to put in a little time and money (around $25), you can turn your iPod into a universal remote [1G iPod and up] or make your iPod useful for school or work by running presentations. [iPod photo and up]

This functionality doesn't take much more than what you're iPod's already got, but a lot of people don't know that you can also use your iPod as an alarm clock. [1G iPod and up]

Hack your hardware

Of course, nothing makes your iPod seem more dated than busted up hardware. Luckily, the older your iPod gets, the more willing you're likely to be willing to crack it open and take matters into your own hands.

Since your 'pod is a little old, chances are your disk may be pretty fragmented; if so, you might be able to speed up your iPod with a disk defrag. (Note: this has worked better for some than others - personally, I've noticed improved performance after a much-needed disk defrag.)

One thing that unites most iPod-owners, old and new, is scratches. No matter how careful you are, you've probably garnered your fair share of scratches. But with a little know-how and some elbow grease, you can make those scratches a thing of the past.

If you're having battery problems, you've still got some options. Finally, for the real diehards - if all seems lost and your hard drive has failed, you can still get away with a relatively cheap fix (cheaper than a new iPod, for sure) by replacing your iPod's hard drive.

Accessorize your iPod

So let's get down to it - there are a lot of things that you can do to spice up your iPod - a lot of them great, and a lot of them cheap/free. But when it comes to accessorizing, you might have to consider shelling out a little dough (remember, if the alternative is a new iPod, you can do a lot of spending before you've crested the new iPod purchasing price).

The first is the Smartdeck from Griffin. While I have had varying results using the SmartDeck (it doesn't always skip tracks as it should), I can attest to one thing that it has always done well for me: when I turn off my car or stop my car's tape player, my iPod stops. When I get back into my car and my cassette deck starts up again, my iPod starts playing. That alone has been well worth the buying price, which is little more than the price of a regular tape adapter. [Works on all dockable iPods]

The second is the Logitech Wireless headphones for iPod. With a pricetag of $120, these headphones aren't cheap, but they do something for your third or fourth generation iPod or iPod mini that can't yet be done for the 5G iPod - add Bluetooth wireless connectivity with the ability to remotely control the iPod from the headphones. For my money, I'd much rather be able to listen to and control my iPod while it's sitting comfortably in my go-bag than making the big upgrade to the video iPod - but then again, that's just me. [3G iPod and up]

Put the penguin in your 'pod

The iPodLinux Project lets you install and run a Linux OS on your iPod, allowing you to install and run applications/games on your iPod. If you're really looking to hack and expand the abilities of your iPod (including the ability to record audio), the iPodLinux project is a very cool way to go. [Currently officially supported on 1G through 3G iPods]

Get a new iPod?

As you may have noticed, many of these hacks and tweaks aren't an option for all generations of the iPod. Unfortunately, at some point, if you want more you may just have to upgrade. If you've tweaked and hacked your iPod and you're still not happy with the results, you can always trade a bunch of your old CDs for an iPod.

So there you are - if your old iPod needs a little spice to keep it interesting in the world of the 5G video iPod, give a few of these options a go. That said, I'm sure that there are a lot of you who have found many other ways to squeeze as much as you can out of your iPod, old and new. Let us know what cool hacks you've tried (those that have worked as well as those that have not) in the comments, or send us an email to tips at lifehacker.com.