What is this project?

As a personal side project, I set out to hack my Sony Walkman NW-XZ300 in order to deploy a custom firmware and modify the boot animation. This endeavor was driven by a desire to explore the device’s capabilities and enhance my own skill for low-level development.

Overview

• Firmware Update Creation: Developed software to create and sign a custom firmware update for the NW-XZ300. This involved reverse engineering the original firmware and understanding the signing process to ensure the device would accept my modifications.
• Successful Deployment: Successfully deployed my modified firmware update to the device, overcoming various challenges associated with compatibility and security checks. This step was crucial in validating my modifications and ensuring they functioned as intended.
• Boot Animation Customization: Changed the device’s boot animation, providing a personalized touch to the user experience. This required understanding the animation formats used by the Walkman and ensuring proper integration within the firmware.