Microsoft Points for Xbox Live don’t come cheap.  They can be used to purchase a variety of goods on the network, including avatar upgrades, expansion packs, movies and more.  So were not too surprised to see that a group of hackers cracked MS’s algorithm that assigns a set of numbers for redemption of their points.

Apparently the hackers figured out how to modify a used code into a new code and thus redeem free Microsoft Points.  The hack went undetected to the tune of $1.2 million.

It’s not clear if MS will take action against those that utilized the hack, but our guess is yes, they will.  In theory they have a database of codes that have been purchased and can be matched or “keyed” against a real working credit card.  In this case these codes wouldn’t have a purchase or credit card associated with them.  Lastly, all they need to do is is lookup all the codes redeemed during this time frame and match them against a credit card database.  Any codes that weren’t paid for with a legit credit card would be flagged and ultimately cancelled.

Keep in mind that this is legit money, though if $1.2 million was spent a percent of that is only given to the developers of the content, so that’s not the actual amount lost on Microsoft’s behalf, though it is money not earned.  However, getting all the money back will be near to impossible, especially if the points were used to watch a movie or for something that has a one time use.  If MS dared they could take back avatars and other downloadable content, though it’s questionable if this feature is built into the Xbox Live marketplace.

Update: However, if someone were to buy the Microsoft points through a third party it could make tracking them down very challenging.  But nonetheless Microsoft should be able to track the initial distribution of the physical point cards.

Read

Netflix on the iPhone has already come and gone.  Nope, you didn’t miss it.  In fact, a developer achieved this feat by simply copying the iPad mediaplayer and Netflix application frameworks to the the iPhone and modded the info.plist file.  Unfortunately, soon after the app was remotely disabled.  The reason why?  Well aside from the fact that it was hacked, the app proved to be a massive battery drain (25% in 15 minutes), often crashed and took forever too load over a 3G connection.   These three reasons alone might be why Netflix hasn’t officially released an iPhone version of their application.

Netflix has already said they’re working on an iPhone compatible application, which may be set for release with the 4G iPhone or iPhone 4.0 OS.  Honestly, though, no one really knows.  Well, except Netflix.

As a follow up to the pic I sent you, I wasn’t able to get the app working at that time. I needed the mediaplayer frameworks from an iPad [/System/Library/Frameworks/MediaPlayer.framework], thanks to one of your forum members, I was able to get that. Then, it still wouldn’t work. Noticing my winterboard theme was overriding the mediaplayer layout I disabled it, retried the app and viola, it worked! All that had to be changed was a couple lines in the applications info.plist file and the mediaplayer frameworks, along with a manual install/permissions. (My other apps requiring mediaplayer still run fine.)

Read

When we think of flight sims, images of cockpits and joysticks come to mind.  This flight simulator however, is anything but the aforementioned scenario.

Much like a hang glider you strap into a harness, which is attached an automotive engine crane and provides the sensation of floating   A giant fan, presumably from a fan boat, blows wind into your face creating not only another level of realism but a tiny bit of lift allowing you to maneuver.  Completing the experience is a Nintendo Wiimote, which tracks your orientation while a pair of goggles displays a realtime feed of Google’s Earth Flight Simulator.

Read

Believe it or not, Cats are of the giving type.  Wake up on any given weekend and you’ll be sure to find a dead mouse or some other small critter waiting for you in the kitchen.  Gross, I know. 

Flo the cat was a repeat offender so the folks at Quantum Picture rewired a commercially available magnetic cat door (Cat Mate) with a camera that reads the cats profile before entry.  The pics are pretty self explanatory, but if the computer’s camera and image recognition software sees an image that differs from the baseline pic (no critter in mouth) the door won’t unlock and the cat – Flo in this case – is restricted from entry.

[via Hackaday]

Read

The iPad can do a lot of things, but it can do a hell of a lot more things if you Jailbreak it.  Case in point is this iPad running a SNES emulator and being controlled by a Wiimote.

You’ll first need to install version 7.0 of snes4iphone, which provides support for the WiiMote via BTStack. The jailbroken app can be purchased for US$5.99 at the Cydia store. As jailbreaking is required to install Cydia and non-App store apps, you’ll first need to jailbreak your iPad.

Read

The 3G iPad officially shipped just before the weekend.  And for those of you that got one you can opt for one of two AT&T wireless plans with only a month-to-month commitment.  Not bad when you consider the shackles you’ll be placed in when buying an iPhone.

But it turns out that you can also use the device on T-Mobile’s network.  Sure, Apple opted for a microSIM card slot, which should have served as a deterrent for popping in another carriers’ SIM card.  Wrong.  As Muscle Nerd shows us, the same guy that has been hacking the iPhone for some time now, you can just trim your T-Mobile SIM card with a pair of everyday household scissors to fit the 3G iPad’s SIM card slot.  Best of all there is no software hacking needed, which means that the 3G iPad is factory unlocked and can work with any compatible carrier.

Read

This is just straight up, bad ass cool.  Alex Rosiu scored an instrument cluster from a 1992 BMW and hacked it to work with a PC racing simulator.  So now when he revs in the game the tachometer reacts appropriately with the correct RPM read out.  The same applies for the speed.  What did he use?  An Arduino Mega, what else. His next hack is to outfit a full dashboard – think full racing simulator.

Read

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 lets you copy your games to the hard drive or a properly formatted USB drive up to 16GB.  Unfortunately, you still have to insert the disc to play the game – this insures you don’t copy and return the game or resell it.  But what about the Wii?  Well good and bad news.  The good news is that this too is possible on the Nintendo video games system.  The bad news is that you have to hack it to accomplish this feat.  But once complete, you’ll never have to play your games from the disc let alone insert it into them into the console’s disc drive.

By now you’re probably saying “hurry up and give me the details so I can get started”.  Unfortunately, we can’t do that.  You see after speaking with our lawyers there is just too much liability involved; you could break your Wii, blame us and then we’d be cleaned out of our savings, all $10 of it.  So we’re directing you over to Lifehacker who has a complete run down of how to install Wii games onto a hard drive and play them.  The process isn’t for the light hearted, but they say it only takes 10 minutes, that is of course after you’ve read the instructions 20 times.

Read

When Thinkflood released the RedEye remote for the iPhone/iPod Touch their intentions were for the home theater crowd.  But that hasn’t stopped Dave Phipps from hacking the device and turning it into the ultimate remote control for his ’69 GTO.

Using the RedEye application Dave is able to put the roof and windows down, turn on the alarm, control the stereo and even start the car’s engine.  It’s pretty bad ass to say the least, plus it doesn’t hurt that he rocking a fully refinished ’69 GTO.

Read

It’s fair to say there are probably millions of obsessed Halo founds out there.  But none so obsessed as Tim Higgins.  Using a combination of Power Wheels, laser tag guns and Xbox 360 controllers he’s created something called “WiFi Warthogs”.  Players control the vehicle using an Xbox 360 controller and when they’ve tracked down their nemesis they can switch to turret mode and lay the laser smack down.  Tim has even taken the time to wire in the force feedback from the Xbox 360 controller so you know when you’ve been hit.

Video run down after the ‘leap’

[via Make]

Read

According to reports, the next batch of iPhone 3GS to hit stores will be far more difficult, if not impossible to Jailbreak.  Sad news, I know, but there is always hope.  And for those of you that are still considering updating the iPhone’s software but haven’t, and of course would like to Jailbreak your phone, I suggest holding off…indefinitely.

Jailbreaking has long taken advantage of a hole in the phone’s software, and since it has been widely publicized Apple has had many a months to work to plug it.  Now a new ‘bootrom’ will supposedly ship with the new iPhone 3GS to combat the exploit to a degree never seen before.

Read

I’d like to introduce you to Bender and Fender, two 15 ton grapples that can spin at a max speed of up to 72Kmh or 12 revolutions per minute.  Get caught in one of those and your bones are sure to turn to jelly.  If the prospect of the grapples grip power isn’t intimidating enough than consider the tom foolery that could transpire when they’re hooked up to a video game console controller, the Wiimote.  It’s difficult to determine just how fluid the control is but I’d just like to play the game that involves crushing a car.  Hit the video below.

Read

I have yet to get around to it, but one day I’ll remove my normal door lock in favor of a fingerprint reader or some sort of keyless entry.  Until that time I’ll just suffer the burden of carrying around a set of keys.  Nate on the other hand isn’t so patient.  He’s managed to eliminate most keys from his life with the exception of his car key.  So what did he do?  Hacked together a Nike+iPod device and key fob, with an Arduino Pro Mini, to create what he calls the iFOB.  Now just walking within proximity of his car unlocks his doors.  Unfortunately, starting his car still requires a physical key.

[via Hackaday]

Read

Using some lego parts, a female USB connection and a preexisting mini steam engine, some dude with too much time on his hands hacked together the parts to build an archaic iPod charger.  Unfortunately, there are no details on where the heat source is derived from to produce the steam, but it’s cool nonetheless. Video below.

[via Thanks, Sloth]

Read

If you’ve got a penchant for hacking your mobile phone than you might wanna add this to your DIYer list: the Blackberry colored trackball.  Sure, you’ll have to crack your device open and totally void your warranty, but with individualism comes sacrifice – kind of like when you were in high school.

You can pick them up for $8 a pop.

[Mobilemag via Cnn.cn]

Still can’t make the switch to a Macbook and looking to hop on the Netbook bandwagon (God knows why you’d want to)? No prob. Just hack your HP Mini 700 (the EU version of the HP Mini 1000) to run OS X. Everything is in working order except for sleep mode and audio (no audio, ouch).

[Slashgear]

No need to adjust your monitor (or glasses). What you’re looking at is Sony Ericsson’s ‘Panels‘ hacked onto the HTC Touch HD. Unfortunately, the hack only allows for Panels in the start menu and opening it up is a bit laggy according to its author, but other than that it sounds pretty spiffy.

[Modaco]

Failures aside, the Sega Dreamcast was hands down the best gaming rig at the time.  Heck, they even pioneered the open environment gaming platform with that Japanese game (the name is escaping me) that cost $20 million to make (by today’s standards that’s the norm). Hailrazer (aka John Jandron), a super hacker modder in my book, spawned this wonderfully slick creation by mashing together a Dreamcast and Sony PSP screen into what was formally a Laser Doodle.

Hit the ‘leap’ for some video