Rockbox and non-iTunesDB device support

[jvgomg]

Feature Request

First-class support for Rockbox firmware and other devices that don't use Apple's iTunesDB database format.

Description

podkit currently syncs music using the iTunesDB format, which is designed for Apple's stock iPod firmware. iPods running Rockbox firmware can play this music, but only through Rockbox's Database (TagCache) feature — the file browser shows scrambled filenames like KCDI.m4a in F00/, F01/, etc.

Native Rockbox support would mean a folder-based sync mode that writes files to a clean directory structure (e.g., Artist/Album/01 - Track.m4a) without iTunesDB. This would make music browsable in both Rockbox's file browser and database mode, and could also serve as a foundation for supporting standalone DAPs and other filesystem-based music players.

Use Cases

• Rockbox users who want to browse music by filename/folder structure, not just through the database
• Users who dual-boot between Apple firmware and Rockbox and want the best experience on both
• Standalone DAP owners who want podkit's transcoding, metadata, and collection management without iTunesDB
• Users who prefer a clean, human-readable file layout on their device

Current Workaround

Rockbox users can use podkit today — see the Rockbox compatibility guide for setup steps and caveats.

Status

Later — not yet scheduled. Vote and comment to help us prioritise.