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Third-party router software has been around for a while, but we can’t help but keep recommending it to users who want to add undocumented features to their home network. Our favorite router firmware package is still Tomato, which we favor for its compatibility with a wide range of router brands and models, user-friendly interface, and powerful feature set. We show you how to upgrade your router’s firmware to the newest version of Tomato and then configure the Quality of Service settings to manage your network traffic.
Yes, you can even get open-source firmware for your electronic reader. The pickings aren't vast, but firmware like OpenInkPot can update your device with new settings and better performance, as well as give you access to additional software reader options, eliminate the necessity of DRM for your device, and even add Wi-Fi capabilities to a network-incompatible E-reader.
We love point-and-shoot pocket cameras for their small size and ease of use, but we lament their relatively paltry feature sets when compared to more expensive DSLR models. The good news, for owners of the popular Canon PowerShot cameras, is that your consumer-grade gadget can be upgraded with custom software to endow it with professional features like RAW image recording and live histogram feedback. CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kit) is an easy-to-install software package created by a savvy group of programmers to supercharge the Canon PowerShot. We show you how to safely install and configure this free firmware add-on with no risk to your camera.
The Canon 5D Mark II camera is pretty impressive in its own right, given the kind of video that this full-frame, digital SLR can shoot. But don't let it be said that accomplishment ever got in the way of open-source innovation. That's where the open-source firmware package Magic Lantern comes into play. Amongst the features it adds to this jam-packed camera include on-screen audio meters (ideal for the amateur filmmaker), manual gain control, zebra stripes, and crop marks for different aspect ratios.
Western Digital's WDTV is kind of like a magic media streaming box. You plug any USB storage device (Flash key, portable hard drive, etc) into its two USB ports and it'll play any movie, picture, or audio file that it finds, outputting your media to your big screen TV via HDMI. Western Digital has done a great job updating its own official firmware to boost compatibility with almost every media format you can think of (yes, including MKV packages with subtitles), but the open-source offering takes the WDTV's functionality even further. B-Rad's WDLXTV firmware adds support for USB optical drives, USB hubs, limited ethernet connectivity, custom GUIs, and an application package that turns the WDTV into a mini-server!
This is just a brief introduction to the world of open-source firmware. Hopefully it's gotten you stewing about all the different electronic devices you can hack in the comfort of your own dwelling. But just in case you need a little more inspiration, is anyone else out there running open-source firmware that deserves mentioning? Leave a comment to help flush out the list for your fellow readers!
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.
