I have read on some news sites that the Smart Key for the 2007 Prius was hacked and could be cloned by someone using a Bluetooth laptop in the vicinity. Has this been fixed on the 2010 Prius? (Is there a reference for this?) Also, I read that the older iPod interface for the Prius was quite poor (no track names, no album names, etc) - is the 2010 one better? Thanks!
Source please on the 1st item. It would be odd to say the least since the smartkeys don't use Bluetooth as their protocol, AFAIK. As for the 2nd, ummm... there was no iPod integration on the 2nd gens (04 to 09). Starting w/model year 06, a standard 3.5 mm aux in jack was available w/most packages. That's just an audio jack and has no provisions to pass any sort of track info. Prior to 06, there was not even an aux in, from the factory. Is it really that important? You have such info displayed on your (non-Shuffle) iPod anyway. Many car stereos have pretty lousy UI compared to iPods anyhow.
Doubtful that the technique uses BlueTooth (wrong frequencies for one thing), but the technique for cloning a Keeloq-base fob was published in 2007. Researchers say they've hacked car door locks - The Red Tape Chronicles - msnbc.com I was not able, in my casual search of the web, to find any information on whether Toyota continued to use the Keeloq system for newer model years. (One would like to believe that they did not...but can anyone confirm it?)
I can't speak to the 1st question, but the iPod Interface in the 2010 does display track, song, artist, album, etc if it's available. You can also sort by playlist, genre, artist, album, etc...
Furthermore, the methods used by the researchers were not practical for use in the field. There is a big difference between demonstrating a vulnerability and being able to exploit it. The key system on the Gen II and Gen III Prius remain among the most secure in the industry. If your Prius gets stolen, it will be carried away on a flat bed truck, or someone will physically steal your key. Tom
