One of our favorite hacking devices, the Flipper Zero, received its first major firmware update today. It includes a number of features that the developers have been working to stabilize for the past three years, including a significant increase in battery life that was technically introduced with a previous update. While many of the features aren't technically new, the overall package should make this device feel like a supercharged version of its former self.
One of the most notable updates since launch solves one of developers' biggest problems: the device's internal flash memory originally limited the number of features that could be added. In the past, new features were built into the firmware itself, but eventually exceeded the storage's capacity. Last year, an app store was added to the device, allowing you to run new apps from the microSD card instead.
JavaScript is now supported, which could make programming your own apps easier. The NFC subsystem has been rewritten from scratch, supports more card types, and can read cards faster. Data transfer via Bluetooth with Android devices is also faster, and the speed of firmware updates has increased by 40 percent, according to the developers.
The new firmware also includes more IR protocols, so if you already use the Flipper Zero as a universal remote, you can now use it with more TVs, air conditioners, audio systems and projectors. If you need a longer transmission range, the Flipper Zero also supports external infrared modules. Here is an explanation video:
With the Flipper Zero you can also listen to analogue walkie-talkies. According to the developers, the sub-GHz radio now supports a total of 89 different radio protocols. If the built-in antenna is not sensitive enough for you, you can now connect it to an external sub-GHz module to get a better antenna.