Developer reverse-engineers Snapchat Spectacles 2 to build open-source iPhone app

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A developer has built an open-source iOS app called Malibu that allows Snapchat Spectacles 2 to be used without a Snapchat account or cloud service. The project involved reverse-engineering the glasses' communication protocol, which uses Bluetooth LE for pairing and authentication, and a private Wi-Fi access point for transferring video files. The developer discovered that the protocol relies on protobuf messages, an X25519 key exchange, and AES-GCM encrypted sessions, which were first reproduced in Python before being implemented in the iPhone app. Malibu automates the connection process using Apple's AccessorySetupKit and supports resuming interrupted downloads, storing videos locally in the app, Files, or Photos. The source code has been published on GitHub, enabling owners of the discontinued hardware to continue using their devices independently.

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