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Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Hak5's WiFi Pineapple Pager : Cybersecurity Tool Combines Retro with Cutting-Edge Tech
What if the tools of tomorrow could evoke the spirit of yesterday? Imagine holding a device that not only enables you with innovative technology but also transports you back to the neon glow of the 1990s hacker culture. Enter the WiFi Pineapple Pager, Hak5's latest innovation celebrating 20 years of pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity. This compact, retro-inspired device isn't just a nod to nostalgia—it's a fully functional powerhouse designed to tackle modern wireless network challenges. Whether you're a seasoned penetration tester or a curious newcomer, the WiFi Pineapple Pager promises to be more than just a tool; it's a statement of how far the hacking community has come while honoring its roots. In this overview, you'll discover how the WiFi Pineapple Pager merges state-of-the-art performance enhancements with a design that pays homage to the iconic pagers of the '90s. From its multi-band WiFi support and Bluetooth connectivity to its intuitive RGB controls, buzzer, vibration motor, and standalone portability, this device redefines what's possible in wireless penetration testing. But it's not all about functionality—its retro aesthetic and customizable features bring a sense of personality and creativity to the table. What makes this device such a fantastic option for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts alike? Let's explore how Hak5 has managed to blend innovation with nostalgia in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. WiFi Pineapple Pager Overview Key Features of the WiFi Pineapple Pager Multi-band WiFi Support: Operates seamlessly across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands with 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax support, ensuring compatibility with modern wireless networks and devices. Operates seamlessly across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands with 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax support, ensuring compatibility with modern wireless networks and devices. Bluetooth Connectivity: Supports Bluetooth 5.2 and low-energy BTLE 4.2 wireless technology for expanded hacking capabilities and device integration. Supports Bluetooth 5.2 and low-energy BTLE 4.2 wireless technology for expanded hacking capabilities and device integration. Payload Execution: Runs Hak5's DuckyScript™, Bash, and Linux-based tools to execute complex attacks and automate workflows. Runs Hak5's DuckyScript™, Bash, and Linux-based tools to execute complex attacks and automate workflows. Enhanced Usability: Features RGB LED 4-way D-pad buttons, a vivid 2.4-inch 480 × 222 pixel LED color display (221 PPI) with wide viewing angles, buzzer, and vibration motor for feedback and alerts. Features RGB LED 4-way D-pad buttons, a vivid 2.4-inch 480 × 222 pixel LED color display (221 PPI) with wide viewing angles, buzzer, and vibration motor for feedback and alerts. Portability: Standalone operation with a secure integrated clip for field ops, USB expansion for custom mods, and integrated USB-C Ethernet adapter for direct LAN access. Standalone operation with a secure integrated clip for field ops, USB expansion for custom mods, and integrated USB-C Ethernet adapter for direct LAN access. Serviceable Battery: 2000 mAh LiPo with BMS, USB-C charging, and LED charge indicator. 2000 mAh LiPo with BMS, USB-C charging, and LED charge indicator. Real-Time Clock: Persistent clock with battery backup for consistent timestamps. Performance Enhancements for Advanced Users 8th Generation PineAP Engine: Over 100× faster than previous generations, rebuilt from the kernel up for superior performance in crowded RF environments. Over 100× faster than previous generations, rebuilt from the kernel up for superior performance in crowded RF environments. Optimized Kernel Filters: Improves efficiency in handling complex network operations. Improves efficiency in handling complex network operations. Database Upgrade: Replaces traditional SQL with a faster, more efficient alternative for logging and analysis. These improvements make the WiFi Pineapple Pager particularly effective for vulnerability assessments, wireless penetration testing, OSINT gathering, and real-time monitoring—completely untethered from a computer. Introducing WiFi Pineapple Pager by Hak5 Watch this video on YouTube. Uncover more insights about hacking in previous articles we have written. Design Rooted in 1990s Hacker Culture The WiFi Pineapple Pager is more than just a technical tool; it is a tribute to the hacker culture of the 1990s. Its design draws inspiration from neon pagers and iconic media of that era, including the cult classic film Hackers. This retro aesthetic is seamlessly integrated with modern functionality, creating a device that bridges the gap between past and present. Additional design elements include customizable ringtones, RGB LEDs, and full root access for advanced customization. Its fully hackable nature supports themes, hardware mods, and payload triggers that can be configured to respond to specific network events. Celebrating 20 Years of Hak5 Innovation The release of the WiFi Pineapple Pager marks a significant milestone for Hak5, celebrating two decades of innovation and community building. Over the past 20 years, Hak5 has established itself as a trusted name in cybersecurity, known for its innovative tools and resources that empower users to explore and expand the boundaries of technology. This latest device exemplifies Hak5's mission to merge technical expertise with creativity. By combining advanced features with a nostalgic design, the WiFi Pineapple Pager highlights the evolution of hacking technology while encouraging users to push the limits of what is possible. It stands as a testament to Hak5's commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative hacker community. Availability and Pre-Order Details The WiFi Pineapple Pager made its debut at Defcon, where it garnered significant attention from the hacking community. Pre-orders are now open, with the first batch of devices expected to ship later this year. Interested users can secure their device through Hak5's official website. Whether you're a professional penetration tester, a cybersecurity enthusiast, or a hobbyist exploring the world of hacking, the WiFi Pineapple Pager offers a compelling mix of performance, portability, and nostalgia. Its advanced capabilities, combined with its thoughtful design, make it an invaluable addition to any hacker's toolkit. Media Credit: Hak5 Filed Under: Gadgets News, Hardware, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
This auction is selling a treasure trove of vintage Apple tech
For hardcore retro-tech fans and Steve Jobs groupies, a treasure trove of vintage Apple devices, ultraexclusive memorabilia, and forgotten tech has just been collected into one website—and it's all for sale. The collection of items, titled ' Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution,' is currently being sold by RR Auction, and will remain live until August 21. It's one of the company's 12 annual speciality auctions, which focus on specific subjects like space exploration, the Olympics, and animation. 'Created over a decade ago, this signature auction tells Apple's full arc—from garage-built Apple-1 to world-changing innovations,' says Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at the Boston-based auction house. 'We source directly from early engineers, employees, and elite collectors, often bringing items to market for the first time. It's Apple's history told through the objects that made it possible.' From Apple-1 to the iPod RR Auction's Apple collection, though, is composed of true vintage items, some of which are one of a kind. A particular highlight is the fully functional Apple-1 computer —the first Apple device ever built—signed by cocreator Steve Wozniak and early Apple employee Daniel Kottke. According to an analysis by eBay, only about 200 Apple-1 devices were ever built, with just 82 believed to still exist. In 2022, eBay sold an Apple-1 for $340,100 at auction. Livingston points to one specific check in the collection, signed on March 28, 1976, as another standout object: ' Check No. 6 —written four days before Apple's founding, signed 'steven jobs,' listing all three cofounders—reads like Apple's birth certificate,' he says. Other items of note include a rare Lisa computer, released in January 1983, with its custom 'Twiggy' floppy drives intact; a prototype iPod with a red logic board; a factory-sealed 4GB iPhone; and an assortment of vintage Apple-branded merch. 'Together, they track Apple's evolution from startup to giant,' Livingston says. So far, Livingston adds, interest in the collection has been 'extraordinary,' ranging from veteran collectors to first-time bidders. With more than a week left for incoming bids, the Apple-1 computer has already surpassed the $100,000 threshold, while many other items have top bids in the tens of thousands. 'These aren't just nostalgic artifacts; they're cultural touchstones,' Livingston says. 'The strongest interest comes from seasoned tech collectors and younger successful entrepreneurs who see these as physical chapters of a story still shaping the world.' The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Gizmodo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
This Modder Is Making a Retro Gaming Handheld That Plays Actual SNES Cartridges
We're in a renaissance of retro tech thanks to modders willing to push the envelope of old-school gaming. Take this ongoing project to scale down an old Nintendo SNES mainboard so it can fit in a device you can hold comfortably in your hands. Even better, it will eventually be able to play the actual cartridges going all the way back to 1990. This latest DIY design comes from tinkerer YveltalGriffin. You may have heard of them from their work on the Nintendo Kawaii, an open-source mod for the Nintendo Wii that breaks down Nintendo's console from 2006 and shrinks it to fit on a keychain. In their new project, dubbed αSNES, the modder takes the 480 components found inside the original SNES and adds them to a custom bare board that's much smaller in size compared to the 35-year-old original. The eventual plan is to hook it up to a custom display and controller switches to turn it into a handheld. αSNES mainboard prototype— a complete 1Chip Super Nintendo, Super Everdrive, Shinobi Scaler (GBS Control), LCD driver, and more combined onto a single 125x96mm 6-layer PCB. Real cartridges connect via the large FFC connector on the back. — YveltalGriffin (@YveltalGriffin) July 21, 2025While you can find plenty of similar handheld mods for retro consoles, few include the ability to play original cartridges. YveltalGriffin wrote that the SNES games would connect on the back of the device and would then link to the mainboard through an FFC ribbon cable. The console DIYer wrote on the BitBuilt forums saying that they still need to design the cartridge connection and daughterboard. There's also still work needed to finish up the actual design of the case. Fellow tinkerer Redherring32, who previously designed the pitch-perfect original Xbox handheld, is working on a portable version of a GameCube complete with the odd carrying handle. Similar to the αSNES, the portable GameCube is based on the original console's mainboard, though trimmed down to fit within a smaller handheld. The modder wrote in a post on X that they are planning the device to have USB-C charging and video out for hooking it up to a TV. Otherwise, it includes a 480p display to play original GameCube games at their native resolution. Even better, it's not much bigger than a Game Boy Advance. It can even play GBA games through a bottom slot. I'm making a portable not a Wii. It'll have a directly driven 480p laminated IPS panel for the crispiest GameCube pixels you've seen. It'll have USB C PD out over USB 4 player multiplayer. Oh, it'll play Gameboy games too. — Redherring32 (@redherring32) July 18, 2025These devices are not just emulation-based handhelds since they're using the original hardware. Other handhelds like the Analogue Pocket or ModRetro Chromatic use FPGA, or field programmable gate array technology, to recreate the chip logic of the old-school hardware, meaning they can play the old Game Boy cartridges from yesteryear. As time goes on, I imagine we'll see even more FPGA devices for older hardware, especially with recreation consoles like the Analogue 3D on the way. That device is supposed to let players play their old N64 cartridges on a modern TV and scale them up to 4K. You'll just have to keep waiting for it, as Analogue recently delayed the 3D console until August, citing tariffs as the cause. Until then, we'll salivate over the numerous DIY handhelds we can't buy but desperately wish we could.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Top ten tech items Brits miss the most from cassette tapes and film cameras to old MP3 players, survey shows
BRITAIN'S favourite retro tech items have been revealed. According to a poll of 2,000 people, Brits are nostalgic for a huge range of former household items. 2 The study found that 18 per cent of us long for the return of corded landline phones, while 17 per cent believe film cameras were ditched too soon. Others miss early mobile phones (17 per cent), portable CD players (16 per cent) and even old-fashioned typewriters (12 per cent). Even virtual pets made the top 20 list – with six per cent saying they still have a soft spot for them, despite 11 per cent admitting they couldn't keep theirs alive for more than a week. But 43 per cent admitted they view old-school tech through rose-tinted glasses. More than a third (37 per cent) said they ignored how slow those devices were, though a similar number said they could forgive them since they were the 'best we had'. The study found 38 per cent confessed gadgets from previous decades weren't exactly reliable – and 97 per cent say reliability is a top priority for the tech they use today. In the last 15 years, 81 per cent say there's been a seismic shift in the tech they use every day. Many are now unable to imagine life without smartphones (65 per cent), contactless payments (38 per cent), and streaming services (35%). Tech expert and former Gadget Show presenter Georgie Barrat has teamed up with Smart Energy GB – which commissioned the research – to put some of these nostalgic gadgets to the test. She said: 'As a nation, we have a soft spot for all things retro – whether it's wind-up radios, clunky desktop computers or the thrill of developing film from a disposable camera. 'There's something nostalgic about the gadgets we grew up with. 'But we often view them through rose-tinted glasses – we forget the long loading times, the fragile connections, and how unreliable they could be. ' Energy meters are a great example of old tech that desperately needed an upgrade. 'The shift from analogue meters to digital smart meters brings lots of benefits – giving you a much clearer picture of how much energy you're using and what it's costing, which can help you to cut your bills.' The study also revealed the biggest tech improvements of the past decade and a half – with mobile internet (52 per cent) topping the list. This was followed by navigation apps (41 per cent), and contactless payments (38 per cent), while improvements to streaming services (35 per cent) and smart home tech (29 per cent) have also wowed the nation. Despite the digital leap, many are still clinging to old favourites – with 36 per cent still owning a landline, 24 per cent hoarding cassettes, and 23 per cent hanging on to their MP3 players. One in five (20 per cent) even have a stack of VHS tapes gathering dust. The 20 retro tech items Brits miss most A poll has found which retro household items are missed the most by Brits. The study of 2000 people found that there were 20 items which people missed most. Ranked in order, those items are: Cassette tapes TVs with Teletext MP3 players Landline phones Film cameras Early mobile phones Burned mix CDs or tapes Polaroid cameras Portable cassette/CD players VHS tapes and VCRs Disposable cameras Handheld games consoles Typewriters Non-handheld games consoles CD-ROMs Non-portable CD players Floppy disks Fax machines Digital pets Reel-to-reel tape recorders Of those with retro tech still lying around, 34 per cent still use it from time to time, while 23 per cent have stored it away as a keepsake. And nearly half (45 per cent) want their devices to work without fail during important tasks, while 41 per cent rely on tech for communication, and 35 per cent to keep productive, according to the survey conducted by OnePoll. Victoria Bacon from Smart Energy GB said: 'In today's world, we rely on technology for almost every aspect of our lives – from staying connected with loved ones to managing work, finances, and our homes. 'We expect our devices to really make a positive difference and to perform seamlessly and consistently, especially when it matters most. 'As with most new tech, smart meter performance is continuing to improve, with new research showing nine in 10 smart meter owners now think their smart meter is reliable. 'And because the technology behind smart meters was designed by top cyber security experts, you can be reassured yours has comprehensive security at its heart.'
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The young people harking back to a life before smartphones
The young have always been at the mercy of marketers selling the 'next big thing'. It can be plastic, pointless and entirely surplus to requirements. But if it's new, and all their peers have one, it will be pleaded for until parents relent, or the next must-have item – be it the equivalent of a Tamagotchi cyber pet cyber pet or AirUp water bottle – comes into view. But despite this time-honoured tradition, when it comes to tech and young people today, something strange is afoot. First, they started buying vinyl, then there was a run on Sony CD Walkmans, and now, a digital camera will likely be swinging from their wrist on a night out. 'Digi cameras are so popular at the moment,' says Bronwen Rees, 24, a care worker from Cardiff, who first used one at university after wanting to learn more about photography. 'They are more fun than taking loads of photos on your phone – which you never look at – plus more thought goes into taking the photo. 'It also takes longer to upload them to social media as you first have to take them off the camera. And they also seem to get better engagement with your friends online; people seem to like them more.' She is not alone in being won over, for the retro point-and-shoot items originally from the late 1990s are having a moment. Between July and December 2024, John Lewis saw a 50 per cent rise in sales of new models, while according to Google Trends, searches for digital cameras have more than doubled since 2021 – with interest peaking at Christmas 2024. Meanwhile, Vinted says digital cameras were in the top five most searched keywords within its UK electronics category between January and May 2025, and in the top 10 items sold second-hand. This retro trend is puzzling, given that many of these cameras are three decades old and host corresponding technology, which means fewer pixels and lower resolution, resulting in a grainier, more lo-fi images. Conversely, today's smartphones with their state-of-the art cameras, routinely come with editing suits and filters and are designed to make it intuitively easy to upload shots to social media. But is it this professionalism and hyper-connectivity that has led some users to turn against them? 'Rhetoric online suggests there's something about holding a camera that feels more intentional than a smartphone, [it's] a chance to take a break from endless notifications and just capture what's right in front of you,' says Rosie Fitzgerald, head of brand at where sales of digital cameras between January and May this year have seen an enormous 606 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2024. 'The process is simplified. You take the photo or shoot the video, and that's it. No immediate editing. No posting. No doomscrolling.' This idea of simplicity also resonates with Georgia Coulton, 24, a marketing manager in Manchester. 'For me, digital cameras are a backlash against having to look perfect and portray [the idea] that you are living the best life,' she says. 'A few years ago, in my late teens, I would spend 30 minutes taking selfies in my home before a night out. 'I would take about 50 photos and then spend an hour or so going through them the next day to choose the best ones to upload to Instagram. It was so stressful, and I'm not really sure why I did it. It's just what all my friends were doing.' For Coulton, using a cheap Sony digital camera for the past two years has curtailed that process. 'I'm behind the camera and can't flip the lens, so there are no selfies for me to obsess over,' she says. 'Now it's about capturing moments and memories and my friends having fun and not posing. The pace is slower and I take far fewer photographs, so I have no choice but to love them for what they are.' A backlash by some Gen-Z members against the overuse of tech has been brewing for some time, with a 2024 Ofcom study showing young adults aged between 18 and 24 spent an average of six hours per day online, chiefly on their phones. In recent years, crocheting has experienced a surge in popularity among young people, as has general arts and crafts and 'scrapbooking' – all believed to be associated with the desire to go slow, reduce stress and create authentic self-expression. Sales of Polaroid, disposable and film cameras have also all seen a resurgence in recent years, with Pentax recently releasing a 35mm film camera, the first of its kind since 2020. But beyond the desire to reduce phone time, there is also a sense of nostalgia to using digital cameras, alongside the tactile nature of printing photos. Anna Kiff, 25, is a communications consultant based in London, and has also switched to a digital camera in recent years while on nights out, holidays and at festivals. 'My generation grew up with parents who had huge photo albums of printed images from digital cameras,' she says. 'So eight years or so ago, I began printing out my own digital pictures and creating albums, which I love flicking through. 'Pictures on a mobile phone are just not the same as physical photos. And albums elicit a more emotive response. They also remind me of my own childhood because as a young teen, before we had phones, we all had digital cameras and people uploaded the photos to Facebook and tagged friends.' There is, however, an unmistakable irony that this nostalgia for a simpler world, where photos need to be uploaded onto a computer from their SD card via an adapter, is inevitably being fuelled by social media. On TikTok, for instance, there are 276,000 videos posted under #digitalcamera, while celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid have been spotted with film and digital cameras. John Lewis says Canon and Fujifilm are the most popular brands, with the Canon PowerShot being one sought-after model. But many vloggers and influencers recommend the Canon G7 X Mark III, which currently retails at around £900. However, it is possible to find many of these models at a cheaper price (under £30) on second-hand sites, such as Vinted and eBay. Some vintage pieces, at three decades old, retail at £100 upwards – even second-hand. It is these older models in particular that produce the grainy, pixelated and overexposed photos with a flash flare, which can make the photo look atmospheric without the use of a filter. According to AI Photoroom, an online editing suit, the demand for digital cameras may be for two reasons. 'There is a lot of processing that goes on on a phone that you don't have control over,' says CEO Matthieu Rouif, 'and I think people want a camera that makes them look real in photos. 'Smartphone cameras have significantly improved in recent years, with features like ISO control, aperture adjustment, and white balance now available in Pro modes on high-end models. But they can still be limited in specific use cases. Digital cameras perform better in low-light conditions or when users want full manual control over settings.' While there are myriad and overlapping reasons driving the trend, there is one in particular that is likely to be popular with parents. 'My daughter recently asked for a cheap digital camera for her 18th birthday,' says Vicky Gierat, a content designer from Bristol. 'She said she just wanted to have fun without reaching for her phone all the time. Personally, I'm really pleased as it is so easy to lose time on your phone, and I think she will enjoy this without any distractions.' For Sonia Livingstone, a professor of social psychology at London School of Economics, the move towards digital cameras is also only good news. 'Teens have always loved magazines, sketchpads, novels, cameras,' she says. 'But having smartphones in their pockets gave them access to everything all at once. I think this demand for digital cameras is an indication that young people are looking for alternatives to the smartphone's dominance.' She believes this may come down to a growing societal backlash against smartphones, led in part by Jonathan Haidt, an American social psychologist and author of the 2024 bestselling book, The Anxious Generation. 'Teens will have heard warnings and anxieties from parents over their smartphones,' she adds. 'And many parents tell me that smartphones are a huge point of contention in the family. Everyone is tense and arguments erupt as soon as they are seen. But cameras are uncontentious in a young person's hand. They can be associated with art, or fun or documentary making. They have an innocent meaning. 'For me, I feel young people may be genuinely looking for something different to a do-everything smartphone, and it's a little sign that teens are wanting to define themselves and find their own way. It is hopeful.'
