An iPod clone is my new focus secret weapon

How a single-purpose music device helped silence the beeps and boops when I needed focus.

Feb 11, 2026

I bought it on a whim.

I saw the Innioasis Y1 iPod clone on YouTube and thought maybe, just maybe, this little $62 tool could help me carve out focus for my design and illustration work.

A week later, I opened the package, loaded the music, and took the Y1 for a spin while working on a UX design project. It was AWESOME!

What did I notice most? The silence. Not a single beep or boop. Just pure music, letting me focus on the task at hand. Two hours later… I’d made significant progress on my work without distraction.

Here’s my sketchnote of the Innioasis Y1:

With repeated tests, I confirmed that this little, single-purpose music player kept me more focused than using my Mac or iPhone for music.

I know there are many music players you can get cheaply, but the Y1 felt different because it uses the iPod's proven design as its foundation.

The UI is simple, and that makes it just good enough. The scroll wheel makes a huge difference for navigation. It’s no wonder the iPod was so successful.

The Y1 can play audiobooks and videos (large videos seemed to clog playback and desync audio and video a bit), and even has an FM radio with recording capabilities. But its sweet spot for me is simply music playing, which it does well.

Not long after my testing, I posted a note about the Y1:

Music Rediscovery

But the fun didn’t stop there! As I started using the Y1 with ripped music from my own CDs, I started wondering about the new music I could buy and download.

I’ve subscribed to Gabbie for over a year. She runs the fantastic New Bands for Old Heads, and I love her discoveries and recommendations, especially Wave 80s-style music from young bands.

Of course, I’d used Bandcamp, so I began seeking out music. I found quite a bit I could buy and download. I’ve also used Amazon Digital Music in the past.

Here are a few of my favorite music downloads from Bandcamp:

How is this related to sketchnoting?

I use sketchnoting for problem-solving quite a bit (I’m running a free workshop this Saturday if you’re curious), and focus is so important when I do that kind of work. Having a focus-encouraging device like the Y1 helps me stay dialed in so I can connect the dots and get into a flow state.

If you do any work that demands your focus, a device like the Y1 could be a great fit.

Other Resources

Of course, you can upgrade to a customized iPod if you have the funds. PlayerMods will outfit classic iPods with new, larger SSD drives, USB-C ports, Bluetooth capabilities, haptic engines, color shells, and even AirTags. Custom iPods start at about $240 and go up from there.

If you’re curious about themes and other mods for the Y1, you can find that on the Y1 updater page.

If you need focus and love music, the Y1 is worth experimenting with.

Thanks again for the chance to share something fun and useful!

— Mike

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. The goal is to guide you in integrating sketchnoting into your work and everyday life. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start and keep sketchnoting.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Army Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike offers recorded, live, and in-person workshops to help accelerate your sketchnoting practice and coaching for personalized, 1:1 sketchnoting guidance.

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