In a recent video, hardware hacker ChromaLock released the build process for a TI-84 calculator with the specific goal of developing a mod that would grant WiFi access, be undetectable, and be able to bypass anti-cheating protocols, all for educational purposes, of course. The build would undoubtedly require a microcontroller, and for this build, the ESP32 C3 was ultimately chosen as the best candidate. Part of the reason is that the mod uses a communication protocol already found on the TI-84. TI-84s can communicate with other TI-84s using the built-in 2.5 mm port found on top of the device. The role of the ESP32 is to effectively emulate another TI-84 and translate input from the calculator into signals that can be sent over WiFi using the ESP32s built-in antenna. However, translating the data isn't a simple plug-and-play operation and requires a level shifter that translates the logic to the ESP32s 3.3 V system.

Surprisingly, the inside of the TI-84 offers ample room to install additional hardware. On his initial attempt, ChromaLock encountered issues when trying to manually wire all of the components necessary to install the ESP32 and had to manufacture a custom PCB. Plans for the PCB can be found on the project's GitHub page and simplify the installation. With the components installed, all that is left is configuring the software and a server that will enable the newly installed functionality.

On appearance alone, the calculator appears unmodified, and the mod does not have a launcher that could inspire suspicion. Instead, the user must unlock the mod's features using the previously mentioned communication protocol on the calculator. This unlocking feature serves two purposes. The first is that the mod cannot be erased from the device as it downloads from the pre-configured server on initialization, and the second is that it takes the calculator out of restrictive test mode. Once installed, users have full access to four applets specifically designed for test taking. The first is access to chat GPT, which can help with various math problems and get basic vocabulary definitions without having to search the internet. Second is chat functionality, which inherently has its own issues as it requires two modded devices and an accomplice. Third, is an image viewer for accessing image resources or receiving motivation from your Waifu, as ChromaLock mentions. Lastly, users have access to an apps menu where they can download any apps they have made available on their hosted server.

Ultimately, project TI-32, a combination of TI-84 and ESP32, is majorly ambitious and morally ambiguous. However, it is hard to deny the usefulness of this mod, and with a mysterious camera app being teased in the last part of the video, it is clear that ChromaLock plans to keep expanding the platform.