c’t 3003: Handy Flipper Zero Hacking Device

Some talk about a hacking multi-tool, others about a Tamagotchi for hackers: When it was announced about two years ago, the Zero pinball, designed in a hacking space in Moscow, not only caused a sensation, but also raised doubts: there was speculation from the beginning about whether the product will launch and whether it delivers what it promises; After all, there have often been crowdfunding campaigns that turned out to be hot air.

Now pinball zero has arrived at the c’t newsroom. Before the detailed tests begin there, the c’t-3003 team produced a first steps video (see above).

The device looks valuable and comes with a screen that is easy to read even in bright surroundings. The cute design with the animated dolphin puts you in a good mood while hacking. In a quick hands-on session, it was easy to learn how to use the IR transceiver and use it to control devices like amplifiers and TVs. In addition, the practical worked immediately: the Bad-USB function with scripts compatible with Rubber Ducky, the remote control of the computer with Bluetooth (here the Pinball Zero pretends to be a Bluetooth keyboard), and the reading of NFC cards.

Reading 125 kHz RFID cards or tags was not immediately successful. According to the documentation, Pinball Zero supports the EM4100, EM4102, H10301, and Indala types. Pinball Zero did not recognize the different access cards. Tests planned for the next few weeks will show if this was due to the device or the cards. Tests with iButton keys, sub-GHz radio systems and the GPIO interface are also planned.

Not just the one that runs in Pinball Zero The firmware is open source, but so is the updater and the iOS and Android apps.. Although pinball zero has been delivered recently, there are already quite a few Community projects.

pinball zero It is sold directly by the manufacturer and costs around 215 euros including shipping to Germany and taxes. If you order now, the device should be delivered in August.

not 3003 is c’t’s YouTube channel. The videos of c’t 3003 are independent content and independent of the articles of c’t magazin. Publisher Jan-Keno Janssen and video producers Johannes Börnsen and Şahin Erengil publish a video every week.

(jkj)