Firmware hack?

chuckieland · 07-09-2006, 07:44 PM

I was wondering, sometime it's cheaper for manufactory to make a large amount of the same product, then using firmware to disable some of the feature and sell them at lower price.
for example cd writter
it's known all cd writter regardless speed it's all the same. except the firmware.
it has been known slower cd writter can be firmware hack to become faster cd writter without a problem.
accord the EV mod, all the software for EV mode is in the prius already. just have to make the hardware modification.
could the possiblity of Bluetooth/Navagation/GPS, hardware and software are preload in prius already? and toyota using software to disable those feature and sell them as base package.
any thought?

auricchio · 07-10-2006, 12:08 AM

Extremely unlikely. These things still require extra hardware, which would be silly for them to build into all the cars.

Frank Hudon · 07-10-2006, 12:15 AM

the nav uses an additional unit under the drivers seat, essentially a DVD player and then the GPS unit is under the dash the antenna is in the roof and the display (MFD) is a different unit as is the steering wheel. Then there's the wiring harnesses to connect it all. So not doable with a software hack.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Different firmware in 08 vs previous models?	h311b3nt	Gen II Prius Main Forum	5	10-11-2007 10:52 PM
PRIUS '06 ECU Firmware	TheAnnoyingOne	Fred's House of Pancakes	3	05-10-2007 02:21 AM
VAIS User Firmware Updater	BobR	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	4	05-06-2007 08:58 AM
ice>Link firmware update coming soon	Marlin	Gen II Prius Main Forum	11	05-01-2006 03:06 AM
AIC-100i firmware update procedure?	jwdberlin	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	6	11-11-2005 11:33 AM

07-09-2006, 07:44 PM	#1
chuckieland Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 25 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I was wondering, sometime it's cheaper for manufactory to make a large amount of the same product, then using firmware to disable some of the feature and sell them at lower price. for example cd writter it's known all cd writter regardless speed it's all the same. except the firmware. it has been known slower cd writter can be firmware hack to become faster cd writter without a problem. accord the EV mod, all the software for EV mode is in the prius already. just have to make the hardware modification. could the possiblity of Bluetooth/Navagation/GPS, hardware and software are preload in prius already? and toyota using software to disable those feature and sell them as base package. any thought?

07-10-2006, 12:08 AM	#2
auricchio Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cambria, CA, USA Posts: 904 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Extremely unlikely. These things still require extra hardware, which would be silly for them to build into all the cars.

07-10-2006, 12:15 AM	#3
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	the nav uses an additional unit under the drivers seat, essentially a DVD player and then the GPS unit is under the dash the antenna is in the roof and the display (MFD) is a different unit as is the steering wheel. Then there's the wiring harnesses to connect it all. So not doable with a software hack.