Read on for more information about the problems this third-party firmware solves, or skip to firmware downloads if you want to get started right away.
You are likely here because you own an OBi device. Traditionally, OBiTALK was designed as a remote configuration tool for your OBi hardware, however this tool was shut down on November 1, 2024. There has always been a way to directly configure OBi hardware via logging in via a web interface, but it did not work with the popular service provider Google Voice.
This new firmware for your OBi device, like other community developed firmwares for e.g. routers and Android phones, makes the current/future functioning of the hardware a bit more independent of the company that sold you the hardware. With it, your OBi device need not be dependent on the now-defunct OBiTALK. This new community-created firmware will continue to grow and evolve, increasing the useful life of the hardware, and adding many capabilities right now such as the ability to configure Google Voice without the OBiTALK Portal.
-written by Klaberte on DSLReports. Updated by OBi1FW November 2024 to reflect OBiTALK shutdown.
October 2010 - OBi110 is released.
20 December 2017 - naf is the first to successfully modify an OBi110 to update certificate.
4 January 2018 - Polycom announces aquisition of Obihai.
22 January 2018 - naf releases firmware for the OBi2/OBi3 series.
28 March 2018 - Plantronics announces aquisition of Polycom.
19 June 2018 - Google decommissioned XMPP servers. OBi100/110 no longer work with Google Voice.
28 March 2022 - HP announces aquisition of Poly (formerly Plantronics).
1 November 2024 - HP decommissioned OBiTALK. Third-party firmware is now the only way to configure Google Voice.
15 January 2025 - DSLReports abruptly taken offline without warning.
A user has contributed an archive of the threads where this firmware was first discussed:
ObiHAI Obi100/Obi110 Firmware Mod Discussion (zip, 1.0MiB)
Obihai OBi20x/30x + OBi1000 + OBi50x + OBi2000 firmware mods (zip, 7.2MiB)
: It provided a glimpse into the desires and tensions of a community transitioning from a past ruled by strict moral codes to a more open, imagined future [23]. A Legacy of Controversy and Change
At the helm of Loslyf was , a journalist who was no stranger to controversy. Hattingh had previously worked as a sub-editor under Max du Preez for the anti-apartheid newspaper Vrye Weekblad , putting him at the forefront of challenging the establishment. His vision for Loslyf went far beyond titillation—he sought to redefine the dominant perception of Afrikaner people and culture.
A content plan for Loslyf Magazine —originally a groundbreaking Afrikaans-language adult and lifestyle publication—should reflect its "loose life" or "free spirit" philosophy. Historically known for pushing cultural boundaries in post-apartheid South Africa, a modern content mix typically blends irreverent lifestyle topics with adult-oriented entertainment. Core Content Pillars
During Apartheid, South African media faced extreme government-mandated conservatism. Publications like Scope were routinely banned for pushing boundaries. Following the democratic transition, —a local subsidiary of Larry Flynt’s American Hustler empire—saw an opening in the market.
: Directly mocking old conservative institutions. loslyf magazine
In the mid-1990s, South Africa was a nation in the throes of radical change. As the old structures of apartheid and strict state censorship began to crumble, a new wave of democratic expression emerged. At the forefront of this cultural shift was , the first Afrikaans-language men's magazine, launched in 1995. More Than Just a Magazine
Loslyf's provocative nature inevitably led to legal trouble. In 2006, the former editor of the magazine was ordered by the Pretoria High Court to pay celebrity R180,000 in damages over an article published in the December 2004 issue. The court found that references made to Vittone's breasts in the magazine constituted defamation.
Loslyf printed it as the centerfold. No title. No explanation.
While English-language adult magazines like Scope had existed in various restricted formats during the apartheid years, Loslyf was revolutionary because it was written entirely in Afrikaans. By using the language traditionally associated with the conservative ruling establishment to discuss sex, erotica, and progressive social issues, the magazine delivered a direct shock to the cultural system. More Than Erotica: Editorial Depth and Social Commentary : It provided a glimpse into the desires
The series' producer and narrator, Rian van Heerden, expressed the same motivations that had driven Ryk Hattingh in 1995: the lack of conversation on topics of sex in Afrikaans and a desire to create content in which people could "call a spade a spade" . As one commentator observed, "How is it that nearly 30 years after the first issue of Loslyf was published, associating the Afrikaans language with topics on sex and sexuality is still seen as a transgression and a ground-breaking boundary to push?"
: Under various editors, the magazine maintained a cheeky, irreverent tone that often satirized the very establishment that tried to suppress it.
A standard issue or digital content plan for Loslyf might include the following sections: Lifestyle & Adventure Travel Guides
In a paradoxical twist for an online magazine, LosLyf frequently tells its readers to log off. Their tech section, "The Digital Detox," reviews gadgets, apps, and setups (digital audio players, e-ink tablets, analog cameras) that encourage focus rather than distraction. They recently ran a controversial cover story titled "Your Phone is Your Landlord," examining how subscription fatigue and screen addiction have eroded personal freedom. His vision for Loslyf went far beyond titillation—he
: Its most famous early spread, "Dina at the Monument," featured a topless model at the Voortrekker Monument
: Marital advice or humorous takes on modern dating and sexuality. Pictorials
In his very first editorial letter, Hattingh explicitly outlined the magazine's rebellious ethos:
remains a landmark in South African history—a publication that used shock value to help dismantle centuries of censorship. Whether viewed as a pioneer of sexual liberation or a controversial tabloid, its impact on the South African media landscape is undeniable.
is a valuable resource for Afrikaans-speaking South Africans seeking frank, accessible information about sex and relationships. It has successfully transitioned from a controversial lad mag to a responsible sexual wellness brand. While not suitable for minors, it offers adults a safe, culturally aware space to learn and explore.
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