Hisense Pulse: Insecure at launch, accident or a message?

Posted: December 22nd, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Hisense Pulse and Remote ControlThe day has finally arrived, the Hisense Pulse has launched and is finally in our hands. Upon first look we were impressed with the speed of navigation from within the menus.  If you have experience with the previous generation of the Google TV platform then you’ll recognize the Pulse’s UI which seems to be almost identical to that of the Logitech Revue.  The form factor of the Pulse is similar in size and shape to that of the already released Vizio Co-Star, and the motherboard layout makes it seem like they used a similar design. One difference between the Co-Star and the Pulse is that the Pulse’s remote is much more intuitive and its use feels more natural. All together it’s exactly what someone would expect for another device in the Google TV family but with one of the cheapest prices in its generation.

Our biggest and most unexpected surprise came within moments of our first examination of the Pulse. Upon receiving any new hardware, partially because of our previous experience with the Revue, we like to start off disassembling the hardware even before powering on a device. After doing so in this particular instance we found that a hardware root-shell is enabled by default through the serial console header on the device’s motherboard. Better yet, the root-shell is available in both recovery and normal boot which allows for tinkering of the device in both modes of operation. Pulse UART side viewWhile we’ve seen serial consoles left in prior Google TV devices (see: Logitech Revue), we had yet to see a Google TV device that included a shell within both normal and recovery mode, let alone one in the second generation of the Google TV platform.  While leaving a hardware shell leaves the box almost completely vulnerable its use still requires some soldering experience. However, after further exploration we noticed a 4 pin header on the Pulse PCB which allowed us to simply plug in a common connector and avoid soldering all together! This adapter is conveniently in a location that can be accessed by either temporarily opening the device and plugging in the adapter, or for more permanent use, by cutting a hole in the side of the case.  The ease of access to the pin header as well as the obvious oversight of the serial console was just the beginning of our findings.

After finishing up our quick analysis of the hardware we finally had the opportunity to explore how the device’s software side was configured.  We found that even with the hardware root oversight being as unexpected and less secure than any of its counter parts, the software side was worse. After browsing through the system’s init scripts, and checking the props, we noticed that a simple “adb root” to the device would restart adb as root therefore providing us with a root shell via adb.Hisense Pulse Superuser.apk Prompt Root

Why is this device so much less secure than any of the other Google TV devices? Is this an oversight, or did someone at Hisense purposely leave it there to show community support? We hope that someone did this purposely as it would be great if a manufacturer or Google finally embraced the modding community, but it was probably just an oversight.

Knowing this, we thought it would be best to release our findings for the community as soon as possible as it will likely be patched quickly with the next automatic update. However, if you do have a Hisense Pulse and would like to take advantage of root before it’s possibly patched. We have a package that will perform a few community desired modifications such as:

  • Install Superuser.apk and su binary to device.
  • Patch flash player to allow content to be played from previously blocked websites (Hulu, Fox, CBS, NBC, etc.).
  • Disable automatic updates to preserve root (can easily be reversed).

You can find information on our modification package at the GTVHacker Wiki page for the Hisense Pulse

We have more coming soon, check back around the first of the year for a sneak peek at something even more awesome than this!

Looking to purchase a Hisense Pulse and also want to support GTVHacker? [Use this link to purchase at Amazon]

Discuss More…

 

 


GTV 2.0 – Probably in 3 – 4 weeks

Posted: October 6th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Updates | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on GTV 2.0 – Probably in 3 – 4 weeks

This just in folks, Google TV director of Content, Donagh O’Malley, dropped a ETA of 3-4 weeks on the release of GTV 2.0.

Although we are thrilled to hear this, we remain skeptical as there have been previous released dates that have come and passed without reason.

(Donagh O’Malley begins speaking about 36 minutes in mark and gives Honeycomb ETA at 57:50).

None the less, we are glad to see continued development of the the GTV line. When do you think the update will hit our beloved devices?

[Gnarld]


HC 3.1 on Revue

Posted: August 11th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Google TV Kernels, Logitech Revue | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HC 3.1 on Revue

Since the release of HC on the Reuve, the worlds been discussing all the things possible. You can follow and join in the dicussion on our forums.

Heres the post we received from an unknown source.

Here it is everyone, Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) BETA On the Logitech Revue.

http://www.load2all.com/files/BE2FD2F97/1b3a6b1aa9fd.mp-signed-ota_update-b55579.zip.html

This is BETA, it is not meant to be widely used and has bugs. If that’s something you don’t care about and would like to risk it anyway, install the update. Also, If you want to help Logitech and Google out buy another Revue ( preferably from logitech.com ), at $99 its worth every penny.

If you want to help, mirror this file in as many places as possible. I’m sure it’ll be taken down quickly

Thanks!


Where from here?

Posted: July 12th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments »

For many moons now, GTHacker has been quietly looking for the next way into those little GoogleTV boxes and also furthering what progress has already been completed. As we progress forward, we have been considering adding a forum to our little family of sites, (wiki, and blog)

Apparently, some people have been looking for a forum to call home. In some cases, adding GoogleTv sections to other sites. Is this something we must add?

Leave me your thoughts and comments below. We’d love to know what yall think.


Google Tv SDK and Market?

Posted: April 8th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments »

We have been wondering when the Google TV SDK would be released and we are starting to hope and think the time is soon-ish. Reports are, it should be release within a month! The market is believed to follow in about 3 months.

This has several implications, but the biggest note is, this should open the door and make the GoogleTV any even better device. Having the market and sdk available will allow us one more tool in finding a software root. This is an exciting time, and we can not wait to ride the rollercoaster.


Root Achieved on All Google TV Devices

Posted: April 1st, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

We are proud to announce we have rooted all available Google TV devices with a one click root method. We are very excited to be releasing this new method out to the world.

This doesnt require the use of hardware hackings like previously done on other boards and has been shown to work on most every Google TV Device. The other benefit is that, since the Market and SDK havent been released, we are able to allow market apps to be installed on all devices.

Lastly, this new system works on all statuses. So devices that have been used can now enjoy root!

For instructions click here.

(This is a April Fools joke.)