Flipper unveils a Linux-based networking gadget built for hackers and tinkerers

Flipper Devices, maker of the Flipper Zero hacking device, today announced a new gadget called the Flipper One that has more networking chops and works like a Linux PC (is this the year?). The company has sold over a million units of Flipper Zero and generated over $150 million in sales. However, the new device is not a fan as it works on a different layer than the Flipper Zero, the company said.

The Flipper Zero device is popular in the hacker community, which can connect to radios such as Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, sub-1GHz transceiver, and Infrared. The device can act as a key fob or access pass, but it can also be used in situations such as spamming nearby iPhones.

Meanwhile, the new Flipper One device relies on networking via 2x Gigabit Ethernet, USB Ethernet (5 Gbps), and Wi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz). In addition, the device has an M.2 port, which can be used to connect a 5G connection modem or other devices such as SDR modules, AI accelerators, SSDs (NVMe or SATA), and Wi-Fi cards through adapters. The device is still under development, and the company is only announcing the project for now.

The device will use two processors and 8GB of RAM. The first is eight RK3576 chip running open source Linux and Mali-G52 GPU and NPU to run local AI models.

The company said it worked with open-source software consultancy Collabora to push support for the chip into the main Linux Kernel, so anyone can download it from Kernel.org and run it.

The second chip is a micro-core Raspberry Pi RP2350 controller. This powers the display, buttons, and touchpad, LEDs, and power subsystem, so even if the Linux portion of the device is disabled, users can use the device.

Flipper Devices CEO Pavel Zhovner said the company is also developing its own Linux-based flavor. He said in the blog that while the Raspberry Pi OS is fluid and fun to use, it’s difficult to do a clean factory reset after installing packages without having to flash the SD card again for a new project. Flipper OS, currently in the concept stage, will allow users to access profiles with pre-configured packages and settings. By doing this, users can play around with the software and return to a clean copy without swapping or flashing SD cards.

As part of the development, the company also created the FlipCTL interface to control small screen LCDs on devices like the Flipper One with D-pad and touch controls.

The company said that with network connection drivers, users can use Flipper One as a router, VPN gateway, or bridge between. Also, they can connect a monitor, as well as a keyboard and mouse via a USB Hub to create a Linux desktop or use it as a media box on the go with its HDMI 2.1 port that supports 4K streaming at 120Hz. Users can use local AI models to operate the device, make settings, and get helpful tips without an internet connection.

Flipper Devices recently announced the device and a full roadmap on how to use it. There are still many pieces of software missing to enable all the features mentioned. For example, NPU for AI and hardware video recording does not have core kernel support. Both FlipperOS and FlipperCTL are concepts at the moment. The team is yet to train offline LLMs that can help users with preparation.

The company invites developers to join the community and develop software components that can be used to ship the final device. It said the final details of the consumer launch will be announced in the future, but the device is likely to cost less than $350 in the base configuration without cellular modules.