Generally, when you think of tablets and phones getting hacked, BlackBerrys aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind. Android and iOS users have had almost all the hacking fun while RIM users could only wish to be invited to the party. Until now, anyway: A small team of developers have created a way to successfully root the BlackBerry PlayBook.
The exploit was discovered by BlackBerry tinkerer “xpvqs“, and with the help of fellow developers Chris Wade and “neuralic“, xpvqs moved the project into being fully working hack. Thanks to these guys, PlayBook owners can now root the tablet using DingleBerry, a handy tool for giving you full access.
DingleBerry, isn’t available just yet to download, but it’ll let developers go crazy adding apps and operating systems such as Android to the PlayBook. And as a bonus, it gets Hulu running as well–a service that the PlayBook can’t use otherwise.
While the tool is not out for public use just yet, the team are busy making DingleBerry even more awesome. Still, it will be great seeing what developers will be able to do with the PlayBook now root access has been granted. What would you like to see on the hacked version of the tablet?
The video below captures how quickly DingleBerry will enable Hulu on the BlackBerry device:
Update, November 30, 2011: It seems word has got around about the DingleBerry tool: RIM says it’s “looking into” the PlayBook root. According to a statement released by the company, the company has been in contact with the team behind DingleBerry to investigate the hole that led to the root. RIM is also quick to remind everyone that the root does not mean that customer security is at risk, and that it only affects the PlayBook and not RIM’s smartphones.
Meanwhile, DingleBerry now has its own website, although it’s still a little bare. The aim of the site it to provide you with the files needed to root your PlayBook, but RIM suggests that it may launch into a full investigation of these files are released to the general public.
[Crackberry via Engadget]
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