Google TV box by Sony finally gets some root treatment and custom Kernels

Google TV as a whole has had quite the rocky road since it launched. Being locked down, limited functionality and lack of content from providers has made for a troublesome GTV experience. I personally can’t say I hate my GTV unit, I just wish it could do more. Well, if you are the owner of a Sony box for your GTV, you now can. The Sony box finally has a root exploit that will open up your device and allow you to do a lot more with it.

The process to achieve root and install the custom kernel isn’t amazingly simple, butÂ extremelyÂ doable if you have theÂ ca-honesÂ to follow through with it. Ultimately you will be downgrading your device, and need a total of 4Â separateÂ USB sticks. The perk is that there is no soldering required as this method is a complete softmod. Doesn’t sound to terrible, but why might a person want to go through all the leg work? Simple really, by rooting your Sony box you can by-pass the black to content providers and get a lot more out of your device.

Modified flash plugin with random per box flash string for Content Provider Bypass.
Crippled update feature to prevent box from receiving automatic updates.
Completely RW system, cache, and rootfs partitions
Full ADB Root
Removed signature checks on kernel / init scripts / init binary
A few other surprises.
BETA: Enable NTFS Support for Sony Google TV devices

We wouldn’t dare try to walk you through the process ourselves though. If you are interested in digging in and have 4 USB sticks lying around, pop over to GTVHacker to get the full skinny and get to work. Nothing like a modification to your favorite household unit to brighten up your Monday.

Source: GTV Hacker via GTV Source