Hobbyist Revives Winamp Player with Linamp Project
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years, Winamp holds a special place in the hearts of many who grew up in the late 1990s. Now, a hobbyist has brought the beloved music player back to life in a physical form with the Linamp project.
Teenagers and young adults of the late 1990s will remember Winamp as the go-to music player on Windows PCs. Now, thanks to hobbyist Rodmg, Winamp fans can experience a physical version of the iconic player. The Linamp project is a testament to passion and creativity, taking something old and giving it a new lease on life.
Initially released for Windows in 1997, Winamp quickly gained popularity for its unique interface, dynamic spectrum bars, and customizable skins. However, Winamp’s reign was cut short after its acquisition by AOL in 1999 and the rise of Apple’s iPod and iTunes products in the early 2000s.
Rodmg’s Linamp project recreates Winamp’s iconic look and feel with a Raspberry Pi 4B at its core. The physical media player features a 7.9-inch touchscreen, headphone jack, USB ports, and ethernet connection. The outer aluminum shell and faceplate pay homage to Winamp’s classic design.
Linamp can play music from a local SD card or connected CD player, supporting formats like MP3, MP4, and FLAC. Rodmg plans to add modern features like Bluetooth and Spotify streaming in the future. For those looking for a simpler alternative, AudioWanderer’s Raspinamp offers a functional Winamp-themed MP3 player powered by a Raspberry Pi.
Whether you’re a nostalgic Winamp fan or a tech enthusiast looking for a fun project, the Linamp and Raspinamp projects offer a unique way to experience the magic of Winamp in a physical form.
