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While we're big fans of the proven awesomeness of open-source software, we don't automatically download every free application that's labeled as an open-source project. What make more sense is the use of open-source as the tool that effects some kind of massive or otherwise unreachable change in a common device. Case in point is open-source firmware, named not for any philosophical belief behind its creation, but because few would want to heft the banner for these changes themselves. After all, creativity comes from a wide range of sources and inputs--as does software testers. You sure wouldn't want to be the one person working on third-party iPhone firmware, bricking device after device in a quest to add additional functionality that Apple didn't first design.
But that kind of unintended funcitonality is the sole benefit to open-source firmware. Throw those aspirations of community membership and open-source allegiance out the window: You want to increase the power of your device akin to a Sim tinkering his or her hardware to gain mechanical skill points. There's no shame in that. In fact, you can accomplish much by adopting third-party firmware in place of standard manufacturer packages. For example, building increased sound codecs into your MP3 player of choice, or adding on-screen level meters to your digital SLR. You can even turn your router into a bridge, perfect for extending the range of your neighbor's wireless signal so you can thieve his connection from additional locations in your apartment. You can also brick your device.
We jest, but only partially. For the danger of running third-party firmware--safe as many of the packages can seem to be--is that you could render your device of choice unusable. It happens to "real" firmware upgrades; it can happen to "unofficial" firmware upgrades as well, only I venture that you'll probably find more problems in the latter scenario than with a manufacturer's tried-and-tested update. But still, the benefits can often outweigh the risks, especially if you're looking to extend your legacy devices with additional features. An entire ocean of open-source firmware fixes awaits your perusal -- we take a look at some outstanding examples of open-source firmware, and teach you how to install them on your own gadgets!
For most people, an MP3 player serves a pretty narrow purpose: it plays music, maybe a video here or there if you’ve got a newer model, and might have a handful of applications. All in all, though, MP3 players are rarely treated as anything more than tiny, portable jukeboxes, which is a shame, because as gadgets they’ve got the potential for so much more. That’s why, in this article, we show you how to install custom Rockbox firmware and breathe new life into your trusty old MP3 player.
For as long as Sony’s PlayStation Portable has been on the market, it’s been a juicy target for hackers. With burly hardware (for a handheld) and a gorgeous screen, it just begs to play homebrew, and lots of PSP owners have cracked their devices to do just that. Unfortunately, Sony has had other plans for their handheld, and has released dozens of firmware updates and several hardware revisions to make it harder to hack the PSPs handheld.
As such, there’s no one hack that works on all PSP, and in fact some PSPs are completely unhackable. There is, however, one fairly easy method that works on most consoles, which is what we illustrate in this article.
OpenBIOS and Coreboot are two examples of the open source world's answer to proprietary BIOS firmware. Flashing your motherboard with either of these can be an anxiety-inducing process, but you should be able to tap into faster loading speeds if you're successful. Everyone wants a speedy, netbook-style BIOS loadup, right?
Comments are closed on this article
michaelmd
February 22, 2011 at 2:34am
I'm simply not going to buy one of those pricey mp3 players.
I'd like to see what could be done with those cheap (under $40) no-brand mp3 players!
its not so interesting if it only works on pricey ipods!
putinlrp
August 09, 2009 at 7:05pm
We jest, but only partially. For the danger of running third-party firmware--safe as many of the packages can seem to be--is that you could render your device of choice unusable. It happens to "real" firmware upgrades; it can happen to "unofficial" firmware upgrades as well, only I venture that you'll probably find more problems in the latter scenario than with a manufacturer's tried-and-tested update. But still, the benefits can often outweigh the risks, especially if you're looking to extend your legacy devices with additional features.
yr
August 05, 2009 at 8:29pm
I like the idea of Rockbox, and hope that it has few the features that my MP3 player lacks.
---- BUT ----
What if I want to revert b ack to the MFR firmware. Will it work properly with the MFR program? Do I need to use Rockbox?
arch-chancellor
August 05, 2009 at 2:10pm
I am assuming that the editors and engineers would have tested out all these hacks. Not just warn us that this "...can be a anxiety-inducing process..."
TheMurph
August 05, 2009 at 2:58pm
The reference is more to the fact that flashing a motherboard with "unofficial" firmware would likely cause stress in an individual the first time he or she goes to do it. That's all!
freak720
August 05, 2009 at 11:59am
It's articles like these that keep me comming back constantly.
keep 'em comming!
I Jedi
August 05, 2009 at 2:44pm
It's visiting other sites and searching the World Wide Web that keeps me coming back and wondering why they're so late to report a lot of breaking IT news. No offense intended MxPC. Great magazine, just late on the time to post some articles online.
TheMurph
August 05, 2009 at 2:59pm
Um, this is a roundup of open-source firmware. There's nothing "late" about giving readers a single point of reference for a number of neat hacks they can try out.
Seriously.
I Jedi
August 05, 2009 at 7:11pm
Actually, I agree with you there to a point. The fact of the matter being, though, is that you guys seem to be late on reporting important things that go down. This is not to say all the time, but I've definitely noticed it and not too long ago another member here pointed this out as well. Admitably, I used what the above poster said above to sprout what I've said; looking for an excuse. However, I'm not here to bash on you guy's, just pointing out something that I've really noticed and wonder why that is with only a few ideas in mind.
Still, you guy's are more magazine oriented and focus your attentions on that, so I can completely see why it does seem to take you guys a bit longer to report on some news. As you're hard at work making a better magazine than PC World, in my opinion. Does any of this matter? No. Does it change anything? Most definitely note. Are you right about this article not being late? Of course. And again, I just used what that commenter said as an excuse to say what I had to. Now the bashing may begin again.
TheMurph
August 05, 2009 at 11:04pm
"As you're hard at work making a better magazine than PC World, in my opinion."
...ouch. :'(
bcweir
August 09, 2009 at 2:53pm
I don't believe I, Jedi has a clue what goes into the making of Maximum PC such an awesome magazine.
I for one understand that this article is just a round up. I understand it's not the primary mission of your magazine to issue "breaking news" on underground hacking. I think the rest of us understand that the focus of Maximum PC is to tell us the straight scoop on personal computing and consumer electronics products.
There's already a great "hacking" publication called 2600. It's been in circulation since 1984. If you want "breaking news" on the hacking community, that's the place to be. MaximumPC's article on hacking consumer electronics is perfectly timely and informative for the rest of us. I Jedi seems to be the only one sweating the fact that you're Maximum PC and not the monthly edition of 2600.
Perhaps I Jedi overlooked it in his rant over your missing his arbitrary deadline.
scythe123100
August 05, 2009 at 3:53pm
If anyone new how to turn a pantouch digital photo frame into a second monitor, that would be awesome. still, I've googled this multiple times and dont believe it possible. I put the challenge out to all the dedicated Maximum PC readers to make this a reality. also, I believe it's possible to flash android onto a nokia tablet. (not sure about the model). I put RockBox on my 2cnd generation Ipod, which is 20 GB and about an inch thick and weighs in at around 2 pounds. I like to joke that it's the only ipod classified as a lethal bludgeoning weapon. now I finally have a new use for it, since there is a lack of zune support on RockBox.
