Re-purpose an old iPod touch as a desktop clock with weather
I had an older internet connected weather display on my desk at work that showed the time and current weather for a location. However, the manufacturer deemed this model obsolete and it could no longer access weather data online. Could I find a replacement without spending much money? I had a 3rd generation iPod touch (32 GB - Model # A1318) at home that no one was using (as everyone in my family now has an iPhone), so I decided to try the iPod touch for the same purpose.
The iPod touch is running iOS 5.1.1, which is the last OS version for this model, Next, I needed to find an app that was still available for 5.1.1 and was still able to receive weather data. The App Store can download an older version of an app that is still compatible with older iOS versions. However, you don't know if an older app version is available until you try to download the app. Either you get a message that says you must update the OS to use this app or a message asking if you want to download an older version of this app. So it is some trial and error to find compatible apps.
Next, some of the apps that I could download were no longer able to connect to their respective weather servers. At the end of this process, I had found four working apps to try. There are probably more possibilities, but I had reached the limit of the time I wanted to put into the search.
The first app was the Apple's own built in Weather app. The Weather app shows both weather and time, but the clock is very small and the weather only updates once per hour. The next is Yahoo Weather, which had better weather data, but still a small clock. The third app is Nightstand Central Free, which has what I was looking for but the background wallpaper took up too much screen space versus time and weather information.
The iPod touch is running iOS 5.1.1, which is the last OS version for this model, Next, I needed to find an app that was still available for 5.1.1 and was still able to receive weather data. The App Store can download an older version of an app that is still compatible with older iOS versions. However, you don't know if an older app version is available until you try to download the app. Either you get a message that says you must update the OS to use this app or a message asking if you want to download an older version of this app. So it is some trial and error to find compatible apps.
Next, some of the apps that I could download were no longer able to connect to their respective weather servers. At the end of this process, I had found four working apps to try. There are probably more possibilities, but I had reached the limit of the time I wanted to put into the search.
The first app was the Apple's own built in Weather app. The Weather app shows both weather and time, but the clock is very small and the weather only updates once per hour. The next is Yahoo Weather, which had better weather data, but still a small clock. The third app is Nightstand Central Free, which has what I was looking for but the background wallpaper took up too much screen space versus time and weather information.
The final result for my desk.
I decided to go with Red Clock, as I liked the clock and weather layout the best, the current weather can be updated every 10 minutes and it kept the iPod Touch screen on while plugged in.
The final item was a charging stand for the iPod Touch. After a little research, I determined that the Apple iPad 30-pin dock (Model # A1381) would be compatible with the iPod touch. I found a new in the box iPad dock on eBay for less than $10 with free shipping.
The final item was a charging stand for the iPod Touch. After a little research, I determined that the Apple iPad 30-pin dock (Model # A1381) would be compatible with the iPod touch. I found a new in the box iPad dock on eBay for less than $10 with free shipping.
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Added 2018-03-21 <> ID 18032101
Versions - Red Clock 4.3
Added 2018-03-21 <> ID 18032101
Versions - Red Clock 4.3
