New open-source hacking device

The High Boy is a device that looks like an iPod, but is designed as a hacking tool. It is based on the ESP32-S3 and includes a display, NFC, Wi-Fi, and a radio modem. It is available on Kickstarter for €92, with delivery in June 2026.

Photo: High Code

At first glance, the High Boy resembles an iPod or a budget handheld gaming system with its vertical design and central controls. However, its creator, High Code, designed the device with a different purpose in mind: as a hacking tool.

The “next generation of hacking hardware” tag puts it alongside devices like the Flipper Zero and Interrupt, which combine open-source software and hardware and offer connectivity via Bluetooth Low Energy, GPIO access, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, NFC, and an IR receiver.

The device is based on the ESP32‑S3 microcontroller, which is often used in projects such as smart home displays or the Arduino Nano ESP32. Espressif Systems designed the ESP32‑S3 around a dual-core Tensilica LX7 processor clocked at 240 MHz, complemented by 512 KB SRAM, 8 MB PSRAM, 384 KB ROM, 8 MB flash memory, and support for Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy.

Hardware highlights include a 2-inch (5 cm) color display, a bottom-mounted USB-C port, and a microSD card slot. In addition, High Code has included a CC1101 radio modem for radio frequency monitoring. The High Boy is currently available on Kickstarter for $92 USD, with shipping scheduled for June 2026. The price will later increase to $110 USD for early backers and $128 USD once the discounts expire.