Any time a new console is released, a global countdown begins until the first intrepid hacker breaks its armor and gains control over its internal hardware and features. The race is now on to crack the recently-released PlayStation Vita, and at least one hacker has shown that code can be executed on the handheld by printing "hello world" and displaying some festive lights on the screen — but that doesn't mean the Vita has been compromised. That's because these exploits aren't actually accessing the Vita's native hardware, but rather running inside the PSP emulator that allows users to play downloadable PSP games. It's hard to say if there's any way to break through the walls of that sandbox to get at the Vita from within. Still, the hack goes to show that the community is working on it, and Sony's sure to be tested as hackers inch closer to the handheld's secrets.