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disassembled_devices:galakto_player_toylino [2025/09/28 18:49] – [Sound quality] admindisassembled_devices:galakto_player_toylino [2025/12/01 08:00] (current) – ["Hacking" the toy token] admin
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 Or is it? Can we verify the claim and see if it's even possible with the chosen technical approach? Let's find out! \\ Or is it? Can we verify the claim and see if it's even possible with the chosen technical approach? Let's find out! \\
  
-Although it is a player for the German market, I still like to do my write-ups in english. Use [[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=de&u=https://super-se.de/dokuwiki/disassembled_devices:toylino_galakto_player|Google Translate]] if you want. \\+Although it is a player for the German market, I still like to do my write-ups in English. Use [[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=de&u=https://super-se.de/dokuwiki/disassembled_devices:toylino_galakto_player|Google Translate]] if you want. \\
  
 ===== Disclaimer ===== ===== Disclaimer =====
  
-I do this for educational fun. I've seen the Galakto Tokens and just wondered what's inside. So in January 2025, I've decided on one of the available music tokens on Kleinanzeigen, which was German rapper "DIKKA", making rap intended for kids - (I am not much into audio books, except for [[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_K%C3%A4nguru-Chroniken|Die Känguru-Chroniken]]). \\ +I do this for educational purposes and fun. I've seen the Galakto Tokens and just wondered what's inside. So in January 2025, I've decided on one of the available music tokens on Kleinanzeigen, which was German rapper "DIKKA", making rap intended for kids - (I am not much into audio books, except for [[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_K%C3%A4nguru-Chroniken|Die Känguru-Chroniken]]). \\ 
-I ended up having the player too 🤦 I've put it in the disassembly section because it doesn't feel like a project. I just wanted to know what's inside the tokens, the writing up grew to what I have figured out. \\+I ended up getting the player as well 🤦I've put it in the disassembly section because it doesn't feel like a project. I just wanted to know what's inside the tokens, the writing up grew to what I have figured out. \\
 I am a curious person and like to share knowledge. I love the interesting stuff you guys do and share, YOU keep being brilliant! :)  I am a curious person and like to share knowledge. I love the interesting stuff you guys do and share, YOU keep being brilliant! :) 
  
-🗒️ Note: I am not sponsored, I do not affiliate or try to do advertising even if providing links. I do not take any responsibility for external content. There is no piracy involved or encouraged here - I did only clone one token to itself as a POC. \\ +🗒️ Note: I am not sponsored, I am not affiliated with anyone, and I do not engage in advertisingeven when providing links. I do not take any responsibility for external content. There is no piracy involved or encouraged here - I did only clone one token to itself as a POC. \\ 
-Ultimately, I am here for freedom, long-living and to just play my own tune. +Ultimately, I am here for freedom, longevity, and to play my own tune. \\
  
-⚠️ I am in no sense responsible for what you to. Please think before doing and pressing return keys. If you feel I violate any of your rights, contact me.+⚠️ I am in no way responsible for what you to. Please think before doing and pressing the return key. If you feel I violate any of your rights, contact me. \\
  
 ===== Music Tokens ===== ===== Music Tokens =====
-As Music Tokens / cards are the only way to play music with the player, I consider it the core part. As of 06/2025 there are 148 Galakto Tokens [[https://galakto.com/collections/audio-token|listed]], all of them are intended for children. Most of them are audio books or audio dramas, some are music. They cost between 10-12€ in the galakto store but can be found __cheaper in local Aldi__ store or as bundle [[https://www.aldi-onlineshop.de/search/?text=Galakto%20Token|online]]. As of 06/2025 there is no "creative card", on which you could load other content. Or has there always been one?+As Music Tokens / cards are the only way to play music with the player, I consider it the core component. As of 06/2025there are 148 Galakto Tokens [[https://galakto.com/collections/audio-token|listed]], all of them are intended for children. Most of them are audio books or audio dramas, some are music. They cost between 10-12€ in the galakto storebut can be found __cheaper in local Aldi__ store or as bundles [[https://www.aldi-onlineshop.de/search/?text=Galakto%20Token|online]]. As of 06/2025there is no "creative card", on which you could load other content. Or has there always been one?
  
 ==== Music Tokens Hardware ==== ==== Music Tokens Hardware ====
  
-The music tokens / cards connect to the pogo pins of the player and hold magnetically.  \\ +The music tokens / cards connect to the pogo pins of the player and are held in place magnetically. \\ 
 The plastic housing is welded and cannot be opened easily (I used a rotary tool to cut it open) \\  The plastic housing is welded and cannot be opened easily (I used a rotary tool to cut it open) \\ 
-Looking at the PCB we can see a flash memory chip from SKhynix model **H9TQ64AAETAC** with **2GB**. On the other side of PCB there is a USB 2.0 Flash Disk Controller IC, type **AU6989SNL-CA2** from ALCOR MICRO. On the left side there are pads for USB on the PCB. There are remains of broken off connection pins, which lead to the conclusion that these pins are probably used in production to put the content on. +Looking at the PCBwe can see a flash memory chip from SKhynix model **H9TQ64AAETAC** with **2GB**. On the other side of the PCBthere is a USB 2.0 Flash Disk Controller IC, type **AU6989SNL-CA2** from ALCOR MICRO. On the left sidethere are pads for USB on the PCB. There are remains of broken off connection pins, which lead to the conclusion that these pins are probably used in production to put the content on. 
  
 {{gallery>:disassembly:galakto:card}} {{gallery>:disassembly:galakto:card}}
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-The POV of the PCB is the front of the token card (Flash IC is the backside of the card). So if you hold the token and look at the front then VCC is left. \\+The POV of the PCB is the front of the token card (Flash IC is the backside of the card). So if you hold the token and look at the frontthen VCC is left. \\
  
 <gallery> <gallery>
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-So let's solder an ugly USB-cable onto our toy token quickly to see what is on the flash chip. \\ +So let's solder quickly a USB-cable onto our toy token to see what is on the flash chip. \\ 
 ==== Music Tokens Content ==== ==== Music Tokens Content ====
 Galakto card is **2GB FAT32** formatted flash storage connected to a **USB 2.0 Flash Disk Controller** IC, with **no write protecion**. \\  Galakto card is **2GB FAT32** formatted flash storage connected to a **USB 2.0 Flash Disk Controller** IC, with **no write protecion**. \\ 
-Cloning the token to any other USB-Stick works just fine :) So you could solder a USB-Socket to the Player. \\+Cloning the token to any other USB-Stick works just fine :) Therefore, you could solder a USB-Socket to the Player. \\
  
 ⚠️ **WARNING: Always create a full block-level backup of the entire device!** ⚠️ **WARNING: Always create a full block-level backup of the entire device!**
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 //IndexerVolumeGuid file and WPSettings.dat// are files created by MS Windows (they probably use a PC to create the images?) \\ \\ //IndexerVolumeGuid file and WPSettings.dat// are files created by MS Windows (they probably use a PC to create the images?) \\ \\
  
-It is strange to see that the main directory is called "System Volume Information". Normally it is used for system restore, indexing, shadow copies by MS Windows. Same with the subdir "IndexVolumeGuid", which is normally used for Search Indexing (normally not used on removable USB storages). The only explanation I can come up with is that this name scheme is used because normal Windows users can't see or delete these directories by default. \\+It is strange to see that the main directory is called "System Volume Information". Normally it is used for system restore, indexing, shadow copies by MS Windows. Same with the subdir "IndexVolumeGuid", which is normally used for Search Indexing (normally not used on removable USB storage devices). The only explanation I can come up with is that this name scheme is used because normal Windows users can't see or delete these directories by default. \\
 According to hex-dump of block device the tokens get cloned by Vinpower Digital machine. \\ According to hex-dump of block device the tokens get cloned by Vinpower Digital machine. \\
  
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 {{gallery>:disassembly:galakto:card:cover}} {{gallery>:disassembly:galakto:card:cover}}
  
-If you don't want to cut up your token, you can alternatively open the player, solder an USB-A-port on and cut into the case for the socket - you could then even use regular USB2.0-sticks. I have rather <del>sacrificed</del> upgraded a token for toying around. \\+If you don't want to cut up your token, you can alternatively open the player, solder USB-A-port on and cut into the case for the socket - you could then even use regular USB2.0-sticks. Keep in mind that you need to do something with the "token connection detection"-pin (e.g. detect if ground bridged to USB-shield). I have rather <del>sacrificed</del> upgraded a token for toying around. \\
 For dumping partitions once, the most simple way would be to stick tape with USB-wires onto the outer contacts (validate your dumps!). \\ For dumping partitions once, the most simple way would be to stick tape with USB-wires onto the outer contacts (validate your dumps!). \\
 The cleanest way would be to [[galakto_player_toylino#d_printed_token_adapter|3D print]] a token adapter for USB with pogo pins so you can connect the tokens nicely also to your USB-enabled stereo/TV/whatever. \\ The cleanest way would be to [[galakto_player_toylino#d_printed_token_adapter|3D print]] a token adapter for USB with pogo pins so you can connect the tokens nicely also to your USB-enabled stereo/TV/whatever. \\
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 dd if=mbr_swapped.bin of=/dev/sdX bs=512 count=1 dd if=mbr_swapped.bin of=/dev/sdX bs=512 count=1
 </code> </code>
-or do it directly on /dev/sdX instead of mbr_swapped. To reverse just write back mbr_backup or change partition address accordingly.+or do it directly on /dev/sdX instead of mbr_swapped. To reversejust write back mbr_backup or change partition address accordingly.
  
 ==5. Flush & Wash & Rehash== ==5. Flush & Wash & Rehash==
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 It is not cool that they use proprietary cards, though it is understandable, as it is intended for small children from the age of 3. \\  It is not cool that they use proprietary cards, though it is understandable, as it is intended for small children from the age of 3. \\ 
 The case labeling of potentiometer for LED brightness is missing and only named in the manual - I was careless and had to replace the 10K poti, because I thought it was a screw of the case :'D \\ The case labeling of potentiometer for LED brightness is missing and only named in the manual - I was careless and had to replace the 10K poti, because I thought it was a screw of the case :'D \\
-I like the idea with the LEDs they could have optionally made it colour switchable with IMY format or frequency EQ. \\+I like the idea with the LEDsthey even change color on certain points in time of tracks - the patters are in a text file, which is sadly signed too. \\
 Sometimes the track prev/next keys don't work (at least for me, maybe I have screwed around a bit too much with my token?) - re-plugging the token helps. \\ Sometimes the track prev/next keys don't work (at least for me, maybe I have screwed around a bit too much with my token?) - re-plugging the token helps. \\
-Good to see that music files are not encrypted - the signed hash files leave a bad taste in one’s mouth. Custom mp3 file playing is not possible. \\+Good to see that music files are not encrypted - the signed hashes for each file leave a bad taste in ones mouth. Custom mp3 file playing is not possible. \\
 Sad to see that the quality of the music files can be considered garbage from Hi-Fi perspective - the flash storage space would be big enough to store high resolution files on it. I assume that quality is cut down to 128kbps because of the processing power of the MCU. An idealist would have put the high-res files next to the Lo-Fi versions and sold a separate USB-adapter for the cards to be connected to PC or amps with USB: A chance wasted. \\ Sad to see that the quality of the music files can be considered garbage from Hi-Fi perspective - the flash storage space would be big enough to store high resolution files on it. I assume that quality is cut down to 128kbps because of the processing power of the MCU. An idealist would have put the high-res files next to the Lo-Fi versions and sold a separate USB-adapter for the cards to be connected to PC or amps with USB: A chance wasted. \\
 Nice that there are two headphone sockets so the player can simultaneously be used by two kids. \\ Nice that there are two headphone sockets so the player can simultaneously be used by two kids. \\
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 ==== Sound quality ==== ==== Sound quality ====
-The output of the 3.5mm headset jacks is flat. The .mp3 files of the token sound way better using the same earbuds on my Thinkpad. I assume they have chosen an "equalizer setting" suitable for audio books? They could have added custom EQ in their settings.properties so music albums sound better. \\+The output of the 3.5mm headphone jacks is flat. The .mp3 files of the token sound way better using the same earbuds on my Thinkpad. I assume they have chosen an "equalizer setting" suitable for audio books? They could have added custom EQ in their settings.properties so music albums sound better. \\
 Still, the Lo-Fi 128kbps mp3-files are low quality. \\ Still, the Lo-Fi 128kbps mp3-files are low quality. \\
-For the external speaker: It has a decent soundeven with low frequencies (where do they come from? The mp3s sound flat) \\+For the external speaker: It has a decent sound (even with low frequencies) and is not flat at all like the headphone jacks. \\ 
 +Question: Why has headphone jack flat sound but not the attachment speaker? \\
  
 ⧠ Task: measure frequency output of audio jack 🎼🎶 ⧠ Task: measure frequency output of audio jack 🎼🎶
disassembled_devices/galakto_player_toylino.1759078198.txt.gz · Last modified: by admin

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