A while back it was discovered that Apple included a neat tweak beginning with the 3rd generation "Touch Button" iPods. The tip involved modifying the contents of an iPod´s system directory, and would force the iPod to show a numeric value for the charge remaining. Attach your iPod to your computer, run this tool, specify the drive letter which corresponds to your iPod when prompted, and choosing between the graphical or text battery display modes is as easy as pushing a button.