Hack to Change Font on iPod

[kholdstare101]

Is there a hack to change the font on the ipod? it would be cool if you could make it italic or something.

[Nicholas]

No.

[EvilDude]

Nice answer. lol.

[MOCKBA]

iPod has flashable firmware, so changing font shouldn't be so complicated.

[EvilDude]

It is hard as the firmware is so closed and finding the exact place where font is stored probably unknown... I don't think iPod has any other fonts in it either so first, the spot of font would need to be located, then replaced with one similar in size... very complicated... I don't think anything like this is gonna get done soon.

[mdobilas]

what font does it use now?

[Adam]

It isn't like computer fonts, it doesn't have a name, it is just a whole heap of pixels arranged in some sort of form that makes it easier for you to use.

[MOCKBA]

Well, say 20 years ago I did fonts for Epson printers to be able to use some Asian fonts. Completely no brainer work. I hope that iPod uses bitmap fonts, in this case modifying fonts is piece of cake. However if it uses vector fonts, then it can be a little more tricky.

[EvilDude]

But the problem I see is, even if it does use bitmap fonts, how would you go around to find them? [I am not much of a tech on this stuff and am interested] Is there any location they should be located at or set locations...?

[yonan32]

yeah, while we're on the subject, is there really no name for iPod's font? it looks real cool and i've really never seen it anywhere else. i think the font plays a great deal in the Pod's charm.

[Henrik]

http://www.ipodlounge.com/faqs_more.php?id=3086_0_10_0_C

The font is Chicago.

[iPOD]

Whats wrong with the fonts? they do the job

[PJsTelecaster]

Yeah, the font does the job... but i think it's frustratingly large & chunky!

On most mobbyphones (mine included) you can drop the text size down for improved fitmoreonscreenability, without losing the option of reverting back when your eyesight deteriorates... it wouldn't even require cluttering up the pod itself, I'd be happy to set iPod's text size/font etc from the PC...

IMHO, another example of something Apple should have included (the list increases yet further)...

Don't get me wrong... I love the iPod, but it's touted as being a design classic... too many nice user-friendly features are missing for this to be classic design... (IMHO again, hehe)

[JBF]

I just wish some of those highly talented reverse engineer's would work with the firmware and hack it. I'd love an open source version of apple's firmware. Heh. We could add all the features/changes we wanted ourselves.

[andrew]

is chicago a mac only font?

[vkeks05]

No.

[josquin]

It's not Apple-only, but it was their main Mac font for many years. I think it's hideous, and was a surprisingly large reason why I never bought a Mac until OS X. [Yes, yes, I'm a font weenie.] I'd love to change it on my iPod -- has anyone figured out how to do this yet?!?

[ZoidbergD]

Nope, there isn't a way to change the font.

The use of the Chicago font on the iPod was a homage to the original Macintosh. Susan Kare designed the font exclusively for Apple for the original Mac. I personally really like it, as it is extremely legible on all types of displays, as opposed to other fonts, which do not read well on certain types of screens, especially with passive matrix LCDs. It's unique, and has a whimsical quality that I don't really seen in other standard fonts in computer software.

It's a hell of a lot better than MS Comic Sans, in any case.

[EvilDude]

Originally posted by JBF
I just wish some of those highly talented reverse engineer's would work with the firmware and hack it. I'd love an open source version of apple's firmware. Heh. We could add all the features/changes we wanted ourselves.

Linux on iPod ;)?

[Matrixsjd]

Originally posted by Adam
It isn't like computer fonts, it doesn't have a name, it is just a whole heap of pixels arranged in some sort of form that makes it easier for you to use.

Actually it was the standard font on the early macs namely called "chicago" so there ya go hehe

[MOCKBA]

Take a look at the picture:
You should notice that cyrillic font looks not good.

[Chelce]

I want to find a way to change the font on my 3G notes feature, for good reason. I'm a bassist and thought the notes section would be a really great place to store tabs. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, guitar or bass tablature or "tabs" are numbers that correspond to the frets on the bass and thus tell you how to play songs. Sorry if that was confusing.) But in order for the tabs to work and be aligned porperly the font has to have all the characters take up the same amount of space (like in the font Courier New). Is there any possibility that Apple will release something that would allow for the changing of fonts?

[EvilDude]

I really REALLY doubt it.