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.apks are just .zips; semi-legally hacking software for orphaned hardware [video]

43 points by abadar

by morsch

2 subcomments

What a coincidence, I just got an email announcing that Breville intend to orphan my Joule sous vide stick: the existing app will stop working, the new app is only available the US and Canada and in parts of Europe.
Live in another country? You're s.o.l., it wasn't officially sold there. You need a new account as well, hope you like the TOS.
All of this for a device whose core functionality -- setting a target temperature, getting the current temperature and checking for error states -- is both trivial and has no inherent need for internet connectivity.
I suppose I should be grateful they're still supporting a device that's like 10 years old. Caveat emptor (I got it as a gift).
https://community.chefsteps.com/discussion/78615/joule-sous-...

by userbinator

1 subcomments

Warning: Very rambly and somewhat incoherent video; tried to pay attention due to the topic being of interest, but very quickly gave up.
EULAs be damned, even the DMCA has exceptions for RE in the name of interoperability and repair.

by JimDabell

3 subcomments

by charcircuit

5 subcomments

I've found that Claude Code works well at reversing java applications. Even if it is fully obfuscated claude can restore sensible names for everything and understand how it all works and answer questions about what it is doing.