Custom firmware

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Custom firmware, also known as aftermarket firmware, is an unofficial new or modified version of firmware created by third parties on devices such as video game consoles and various embedded device types to provide new features or to unlock hidden functionality. In the video game console community, the term is often written as Custom Firmware or simply CFW, referring to an altered version of the original system software (also known as the Official Firmware or simply OFW) inside a video game console such as the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo 3DS.

Video game consoles

Custom Firmware often allow homebrew applications or ROM image backups to run directly within the game console, unlike Official Firmware, which usually only allow signed or retailed copies of software to run. Because Custom Firmware is often associated with software piracy, console manufacturers such as Nintendo and Sony have put significant effort into blocking Custom Firmware and other third party devices and content from their game consoles.

PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita

Custom Firmware is commonly seen in the PlayStation Portable handhelds released by Sony. Famous Custom Firmware include the M33 Custom Firmware by Dark_AleX as well as those made by others such as the Custom Firmware 5.50GEN series, Minimum Edition (ME/LME) CFW and the PRO CFW.

Unlike the PlayStation Portable, there is currently no native CFW for its successor, the PlayStation Vita, as the modding scene of the PS Vita is almost non-existent. There exists eCFW for the PS Vita though, meaning Custom Firmware for PSP running in the PSP emulator of the PS Vita. However, the features of eCFW are expected to be much more limited than a real CFW.

Nintendo 3DS

Like its predecessor, the Nintendo DS, the modding scene of the Nintendo 3DS usually involves flash cartridges (see Nintendo DS and 3DS storage devices) rather than Custom Firmware, but Custom Firmware also exists for the Nintendo 3DS and is compatible with system versions 9.2 and below. However, using a kernel exploit on system versions 10.7 and below, users can unofficially downgrade their system firmware to 9.2 and gain the ability to run custom firmware. One example is the Pasta CFW, which allows unsigned CIA (CTR Importable Archive) files to be installed on the Nintendo 3DS devices. Custom Firmware can also be used in conjunction with some 3DS flashcart devices such as the Sky3DS for better results (e.g. region-free). New CFWs, such as RxTools, ReiNand, Cakes CFW, and Luma3DS (a branch of ReiNand) continue to appear for the Nintendo 3DS as of 2016 and continue to offer support for emuNAND, a CFW feature that creates an emulated version of the 3DS NAND memory. These EmuNANDs can protect the 3DS system from bricking, as the usual system NAND is unaffected if the emuNAND is no longer functioning properly or is otherwise unusable. EmuNANDs can also be updated separately from the usual system NAND, making online play and Nintendo eShop access possible on outdated 3DS system versions.

Other devices

Various other devices, such as digital cameras, wireless routers and smart TVs, may also run custom firmware.[1] Examples of such custom firmware include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ How hackers are outsmarting smart TVs and why it matters to you
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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