I like my Pinball Zero, but what I hate is all the fake news that people chasing your attention time show you on TikTok. No, Pinball Zero cannot change gas station price displays. They also cannot copy credit cards. And they can’t turn off the screens of your favorite fast food restaurant.
But that doesn’t mean the Pinball Zero can’t do some very cool and useful things.
For the past few months, I’ve used the suite of hardware tools built into Pinball Zero. What’s in this little tool that looks like a toy?
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A sub-GHz wireless antenna which can capture and transmit codes to operate wireless devices and access control systems, such as garage door remotes, security gates, IoT sensors, and even remote keyless systems. - There RFID support allows it to read, store and emulate a number of different RFID cards.
- He can also read, write, store and emulate NFC tags.
- On the front side, a 1-Wire connector allows to read and emulate iButtons (DS1990A, CYFRAL, Touch Memory or Dallas key).
- There is also an infrared transceiver which can both capture and transmit IR codes to control objects such as televisions.
- Finally, on top are GPIO connectors that allow Pinball Zero to connect to other gadgets.
In short, there are a multitude of features united in a tiny device of 169 dollars.
But every week, I hear from buyers frustrated and disappointed because their Pinball Zero isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do according to videos posted on social media.
Here are some of the things I’ve done with my Pinball Zero over the past few weeks.
Note : I use third-party software on my Pinball Zero, which allows me to access a lot of additional functions. Loading third-party software does not invalidate your warranty and you can switch back to standard software at any time.
1. Testing car keys
The sub-GHz wireless antenna can pick up signals from your car’s contactless keys (and record them, although reading them on modern cars won’t unlock them due to a feature called “rolling codes” that modifies the code each time it is used).
It is a convenient way to check if the key is working and if the battery is in good condition.
2. NFC reading/recording/emulation
NFC is everywhere these days, and Flipper Zero lets you work with this wireless protocol.
Note that while Pinball Zero can read NFC cards, it cannot decode the card’s encrypted security code, also known as CSC, CVV, CVC, CAV, and a bunch of other three-letter abbreviations. .
Flipper Zero cannot decode the card’s encrypted security code and therefore cannot clone bank cards. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
3. Read and unlock RFID tags and cards
Besides NFC, Pinball Zero can work with RFID. Here he is reading a hotel key card.
Cards and RFID tags can be locked, but Pinball Zero can bypass some of these mechanisms. Here it offers to unlock the card if I present it to a valid reader.
Pinball Zero can unlock certain cards and RFID tags. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
4. Sentry Safe Security Bypass
Yes, Pinball Zero can bypass the security of some Sentry Safe electronic safes by using a GPIO output.
5. Universal infrared remote control
Pinball Zero features an infrared module, which can be programmed to operate a wide range of devices, from televisions to air conditioners.
Another great use for this infrared feature is to test the operation of infrared remote controls.
Testing a disassembled infrared remote control. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
6. Automate scripts for a variety of platforms
Pinball Zero can act as a BadUSB device, which means that when plugged into a port, it is considered a Human Interface Device (HID), such as a keyboard.
A BadUSB device can modify system settings, open backdoors, retrieve data, launch reverse shells, or do anything that can be achieved with physical access. To do this, it uses a set of commands written in the Rubber Ducky scripting language, also known as DuckyScript.
Flipper Zero opens a browser and goes to a web page without any user input. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
7. Signal generator
Pinball Zero can use GPIOs to emit electrical signals and act as a signal generator. I used it last time to simulate an ABS (anti-lock braking system) module on a vehicle to confirm that all wiring and the car’s computer were working.
Very useful !
GPIO pin / Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
To go further on Pinball Zero
Source: “ZDNet.com”