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Apple TV's USB port hacked

updated 09:50 am EDT, Fri March 30, 2007

Apple TV USB Port Hacked

Hobbyists have successfully reverse-engineered the Apple TV's USB port. Although the port is officially reserved for diagnostics and service, those curious about the device have documented steps that change the media hub's Mac OS X code to allow more than just the handful of approved USB devices. Devices such as keyboards and mice are already known to work, the testers have written. The technique has already been demonstrated running third-party media center interfaces (pictured) and could be used to run general programs. (More details and video in the full story)

The discovery marks the latest in a series of compromises to the Apple TV's security, which began first by using a Unix-based security workaround to install XviD and later to run the customized OS outside Apple TV. No programmer has yet managed to run a full version of Mac OS X on the entertainment device. An example of the current progress made in altering the device's functions is available below.

 
Previous Comments

Now Lets get to work

03/30, 10:17am reply

on getting my EyeTV from Elgato to work over the USB and hello Apple DVR!!!

mmmdoughnuts

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2006

0

imagine

03/30, 10:34am reply

imagine the possibilities!

doemel

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2006

0

useless

03/30, 10:37am reply

that video was completely useless.

Fishtank22

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2001

0

Like all great geeks...

03/30, 10:50am reply

He lives in a basement, most likely his parent's.

TonyIC

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2002

0

Andy

03/30, 11:07am reply

A picture is worth a thousand words....

...although it seems a video is completely worthless !

Gee4orce

Mac Elite

Joined: Dec 2000

0

leak

03/30, 12:19pm reply

and it wasnt leaked... Leaked is unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of information. Since Apple themselves posted the info on their own website, it could hardly be categorized as a leak.

eldarkus

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2004

0

And...

03/30, 12:34pm reply

And usually, they are white and male.

cho

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2006

0

hack software...

03/30, 03:51pm reply

he might do - but a videographer he is Not_

FishTank22 has the right idea_

UberFu

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2002

0

Basement dweller

03/31, 05:08pm reply

You can hear the dryer running in the background.

This guy seriously need to move out of his mother's basement.

aristotles

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2004

0

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