Data Hacking

FIGURE 6-4: Files contained in the update
FIGURE 6-5: Beginning the firmware update process
Chapter 6 — Hacking the Firmware
That’s all there is to it! I suggest you read any material that accompanies the update (especially
any README files contained in the download package) to familiarize yourself with any new
features of the firmware and to get any late-breaking information. Many vendors add new features
to their GPS units well after release through firmware updates. Be careful about installing
updates that have only just been released. Generally, I wait a week or two before updating so
that if any bugs are found in the firmware update, they can be fixed before I install it.
Of course, uploading new firmware to a GPS is not hacking the firmware at all, so let’s move
on to actual firmware hacking!
Hacking GPS Firmware
The following sections describe how you can hack and tweak the firmware on a GPS unit.
In this section, you will learn how you can bypass the startup screen on three different GPS
receivers.
129