Every now and then a developer creates an app that lets you turn your iPhone display into a classic iPod. They never last long before Apple pulls them from the App Store, but there’s a new one you can grab before Tim spoils the fun.
To skirt Apple’s rules, developers have to employ various tricks to disguise the functionality, and this latest example is no exception …
App Store review guidelines prohibit most use of images of Apple products or user interfaces, and such apps might also be found to contravene the ban on “copycat” apps. This requires a little creativity when it comes to getting through app review.
For example, Rewound required you to add a theme after downloading the app.
The app comes with normal control buttons by default. The secret is in a function that allows users to add any type of image as a player skin. When you add the iPod Classic theme, which is not included in the app, it hides the buttons so it can be controlled by the virtual Click Wheel.
In the case of My Classic-Retro Console (spotted by Macworld), the advertised functionality is to replicate the GameBoy. The iPod emulator isn’t mentioned in the app description, nor shown in the screenshots in the App Store.
The app costs $2.99, with an option to add a tip from within the app.
There’s also an iPod-themed web player which supports both Apple Music and Spotify. (Start by navigating to ‘Sign in’ at the bottom of the main menu.)
9to5Mac’s Take
While Apple’s policy is generally understandable, it does seem a shame to ban these harmless examples of nostalgic fun. All the same, the app is likely to be quickly removed, so grab it while you can.
Screengrabs: Foundry.
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