iPhone Dev Team successfully boots Linux on iPhone

[AppleInsider]

A milestone has been reached in iPhone firmware modification on Friday with the first alternative operating system for the hardware, Linux, now running on the device.

The first build created by Dev Team is now running on iPhone, iPhone 3G, and the original iPod touch in what's considered a "draft" version.

The software primarily includes the main Linux 2.6 kernel as well as rudimentary graphics, serial, and other functional drivers that are just enough to get a command line running when input is sent over the USB interface; the accelerometer, audio, networking and even the touchscreen have yet to receive any kind of software support.

Developers have also made a basic multi-boot front end known as OpeniBoot that lets users toggle between Apple's own operating system and an alternative platform.

While only just beginning, the project is the first known instance of a non-OS X operating system running on Apple's touchscreen devices where previous modifications have so far been limited to jailbreaking and unlocking handsets.

It also promises to expand in the future: the Dev Team is hoping to run Google's equally Linux-based but more complete Android mobile operating system on the iPhone and is searching for programmers to help with the project.

[ALPICH]

So I can't have stereo bluetooth or sent my contact details vial bluetooth on my iPhone but I might be able to with my iPhone loaded with Android. Might be a reason to change. Don't want to. Just don't like the limitation.

We could start up a petition. Get a mass of iPhone users and petition Apple for features that Android has. If they don't we all then change our iPhones to iDriods, send videos to Apple. We could be like virtual terrorists holding our iPhone hostage to other software. Wonder if we could get "Achmed the dead terrorist"s as our spokes person. If you don't know who that is just type it into youtube.

[bbwi]

This article is incorrect. Windows Mobile has been ported to the iPhone for some time now... maybe

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/13/w...hone-we-think/

[paxman]

These people should get out more. Why on earth would you want to spend all that time messing with the iPhone. If it's Android you want, just get one. I can't think of anything less useful, to be quite honest.

[K.C.]

Geekdom rolls on.

[VinitaBoy]

ALPICH, why do you even bother with the iPhone. Clearly, CLEARLY, it is not good enough for you, so why not just jump into the Android/WinMob camp and be done with it? Or are you just one of those guys that isn't happy until he has everything precisely HIS way? (Even if that means Frankensteining everything you own.)

[ALPICH]

Originally Posted by VinitaBoy

ALPICH, why do you even bother with the iPhone. Clearly, CLEARLY, it is not good enough for you, so why not just jump into the Android/WinMob camp and be done with it? Or are you just one of those guys that isn't happy until he has everything precisely HIS way? (Even if that means Frankensteining everything you own.)

You are a funny guy. Not happy until I have everything precisely my way? That is just funny. Of course I am not happy until I have everything the way I want it. Are you telling me that you don't mind it when things are not the way you want it. I can see you at McDonalds. "Can I have a Big Mac"."Yes Sir two cheese burgers coming your way". "Thankyou". lol

But back to the iPhone. It is a good product. But even good products can be improved on. Since the iPhone has bluetooth built in I just want my Bluetooth un-crippled.

Maybe I threaten your status quo life. Sorry for that.

[ALPICH]

Originally Posted by bbwi

This article is incorrect. Windows Mobile has been ported to the iPhone for some time now... maybe

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/13/w...hone-we-think/

That was a hoax. Check out the way he starts it. He taps the screen. That is no way to start an iPhone, Windows of iPhone OS,

[anotherperson]

Why would anyone want to run linux on an iPhone? What an unbelievable waste of time and effort.

[Oh Blah Dee Blah Dah]

Running Linux on an iPhone is like buying a brand new Ferrari, removing the engine, and installing a Yugo engine.

It will work, it will give satisfaction of being able to do it, but it won't impress that many people.

Your time is better spent developing iPhone applications. The APP store will distribute them worldwide.

You're putting Linux on the iPhone? Don't quit your day-job.

[sflocal]

Originally Posted by anotherperson

Why would anyone want to run linux on an iPhone? What an unbelievable waste of time and effort.

Just because you think it is a waste of time should not negate the effort of other people trying.

A lot of people criticize folks for doing things they themselves would never do. Whether anything comes out of it is to be determined however we should be grateful that the garage-tinkerers do things just out of curiosity.

Better for folks to have tried and failed than to have never tried. I applaud them and am curious what will happen next.

I myself own an iPhone and have no desire to run linux on it. I also think that it is a rather expensive way to run Linux in the US since to get an iPhone means you also have to be on a 2-year contract to basically get the hardware. But nonetheless, kudos to those guys for trying it just because they can.

It's easy for you to sit on your high-chair and criticize the effort of other people.

[floccus]

Originally Posted by ALPICH

Of course I am not happy until I have everything the way I want it. Are you telling me that you don't mind it when things are not the way you want it.
Maybe I threaten your status quo life. Sorry for that.

Man, I pity whoever you end up getting married to, although with an attitude like that odd are good it will never happen.

As for the "news"... so, they loaded a linux kernel and now have an iPhone running linux that is completely useless since none of the control inputs have working drivers. I commend the technical achievement of getting the kernel on, but this doesn't mean there is a second useable OS. And since Android isn't multi-touch (yet, as far as I know) you'd still be losing a lot of functionality.

[bbwi]

Originally Posted by ALPICH

That was a hoax. Check out the way he starts it. He taps the screen. That is no way to start an iPhone, Windows of iPhone OS,

Maybe the modified boot code they have works that way, but maybe it's a hoax.

It looked pretty real though. Guess we'll find out for sure when/if they release it.

[mklos]

Originally Posted by sflocal

Just because you think it is a waste of time should not negate the effort of other people trying.

A lot of people criticize folks for doing things they themselves would never do. Whether anything comes out of it is to be determined however we should be grateful that the garage-tinkerers do things just out of curiosity.

Better for folks to have tried and failed than to have never tried. I applaud them and am curious what will happen next.

I myself own an iPhone and have no desire to run linux on it. I also think that it is a rather expensive way to run Linux in the US since to get an iPhone means you also have to be on a 2-year contract to basically get the hardware. But nonetheless, kudos to those guys for trying it just because they can.

It's easy for you to sit on your high-chair and criticize the effort of other people.

I think some people just get offended when people take an Apple device such as an iPhone and make it do what it wasn't designed to do. I personally think its fun to fool around to see if things that aren't supposed to do something, actually do it. Its how people learn.

Yes, its probably something that very few will do. But if it takes off, it could potentially be more sales for Apple. The phone will have to come from Apple. So they're not using the apps store, or the iPhone OS. Big deal! Its still money in Apple's pocket for the purchase of the phone. Like I said, out of the 10 Million iPhones sold, I seriously doubt a large portion of current and even future iPhone owners would even remotely try to get it running. Even if they got Andriod working on it, honestly if people wanted an Andriod phone most would just go buy a phone with Andriod on it. General people want an out of the box solution, not something they gotta screw around with for hours on end to get working out of the box. If they wanted that, they'd get a phone with Windows Mobile.

[mklos]

Originally Posted by ALPICH

So I can't have stereo bluetooth or sent my contact details vial bluetooth on my iPhone but I might be able to with my iPhone loaded with Android. Might be a reason to change. Don't want to. Just don't like the limitation.

We could start up a petition. Get a mass of iPhone users and petition Apple for features that Android has. If they don't we all then change our iPhones to iDriods, send videos to Apple. We could be like virtual terrorists holding our iPhone hostage to other software. Wonder if we could get "Achmed the dead terrorist"s as our spokes person. If you don't know who that is just type it into youtube.

Well it goes both ways...There are things you can do on the iPhone that you can't with Android. So maybe Andriod users should start a petition to get Google to put iPhone capabilities in their OS. *end sarcasm*

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Does Android have copy & paste?

[ktappe]

Maybe they should get their Pwnage and QuickPwn tools working well under 2.2 first. Neither one leads to a stable phone OS; the former disables cell service and the latter won't let the Phone.app run. And both lead to crashy apps (yes, even more than Apple's unmodified OS). So I'm a lot more interested in seeing stable Jailbreaks of the existing OS than a whole new OS...

[hittrj01]

Originally Posted by ktappe

Maybe they should get their Pwnage and QuickPwn tools working well under 2.2 first. Neither one leads to a stable phone OS; the former disables cell service and the latter won't let the Phone.app run. And both lead to crashy apps (yes, even more than Apple's unmodified OS). So I'm a lot more interested in seeing stable Jailbreaks of the existing OS than a whole new OS...

Shocking, Apple may have just put added security features into their OS in order for jailbreaking to be that much harder. Go figure.

[sandau]

i won't be satisfied until beos is running on the iPhone.

lol

[ALPICH]

Originally Posted by floccus

Man, I pity whoever you end up getting married to, although with an attitude like that odd are good it will never happen.

hehe. I pity my wife too. But just coz she is stuck with me. Not because I want her to be something she is not. All people are imperfect (sadly including me). I was really referring to purchased things. I do think I should be able to purchase things and expect certain things.

[ALPICH]

Originally Posted by mklos

Well it goes both ways...There are things you can do on the iPhone that you can't with Android. So maybe Andriod users should start a petition to get Google to put iPhone capabilities in their OS. *end sarcasm*

Very cool idea. Anyone able to take the iPhone OS and put it on other devices. I have a DoPod 838pro doing nothing at the moment.

[wizard69]

Originally Posted by paxman

These people should get out more. Why on earth would you want to spend all that time messing with the iPhone. If it's Android you want, just get one. I can't think of anything less useful, to be quite honest.

Doesn't that depend a bit on what you see iPhone as. If it is nothing more than a phone than certainly it could be left as is from the factory, that includes downloadable and installable apps. However if you see iPhone as a micro computer that also has a cell phone built in then you take is a bit different.

The big problem with iPhone OS is that either Apple is having trouble evolving it to what it should be or has a very narrow view of what the device should be able to do. To be honest i think iPhones current software suite is a result of both issues. To put it mildly Apple hasn't been able to meet their own developmental goals on the device. Further it is also obvious that people at Apple have this concept in their minds as to what iPhone should do, a vision that obviously doesn't jive with what many users would want form the device.

From the standpoint of somebody trying to exploit the platform hardware there simply aren't a lot of good choices out there. Linux quickly rises to the top of the heap. Oh and by the way I doubt a real hacker is going to get too excited about Android. Ideally what we would see on an iPhone version of Linux is a complete replacement for X optimized in a way similar to what is currently done on the iPhone. That is a very light weight and speedy screen drive that doesn't have the overhead of X. Of course that amy be looking at the problem through graying glasses, some don't consider X to be a big problem. User space is but there are several options there.

Dave

[wizard69]

Originally Posted by VinitaBoy

ALPICH, why do you even bother with the iPhone. Clearly, CLEARLY, it is not good enough for you, so why not just jump into the Android/WinMob camp and be done with it? Or are you just one of those guys that isn't happy until he has everything precisely HIS way? (Even if that means Frankensteining everything you own.)

First off people bother with iPhone because it strikes a cord with them on some level. Most of that revolves around the user interface. That doesn't mean however that missing features are not noticed.

Take the BluTooth stack for example, it is far from done if you have any desire at all to support new devices on the platform. There are many components to the BluTooth stack that would make for a better micro compute. AlPICH pointed out one in the lack of support for advanced audible communications protocols, which is real funny on a music device. There are other parts of the stack missing too, these often being referred to as profiles. The more support for BluTooth the more programs can exploit that and thus increasing the value of the iPhone.

As to the jump to Android well that is possible but frankly it is locked down pretty tight by the hardware/service providers. So you would still end up hacking to get your functionality. It is just that Android is delivering more system functionality right now than Apple has in its little machine. At least at the OS level, there is a good question as to the utility of the Android users space.

The killer here is that the iPhone Mobile OS has the capability to deliver the feature requests with out huge bloat. Don't get me wrong I know from Apples point of view the less you have to support the less problems you will have. But that has to be balanced against growth of the platform. In other words Apple has to show that the platform is going to grow and mature.


As a side note I us to have a Mac Plus years ago. In just about every way the iphone is a better computer than the old Mac Plus. It is faster, has color and more storage. The only thing it is short physically on is RAM. What it does have now though is a limitation with respect to software or support in the OS for BluTooth and the like. In many ways Blutooth is the ideal communications tech for this device but the artificial limitations are glaring if you have ideas for development. It is like being sold a car with the transmission missing. You are really limited in where you can go with it until those parts are installed. This is iPhones biggest issue right now, it has artificial limits that limit where you can go with it.

Dave

[Marvin]

I can understand running Linux on an old ipod as it improves on the cut down OS it has but mobile OS X is a more advanced system and simply jail-breaking gives you the development freedom you need. Why go to so much trouble to downgrade it? They don't have the Cocoa Touch API or a remote debugger so some developments will be difficult.

[iVlad]

Originally Posted by ALPICH

You are a funny guy. Not happy until I have everything precisely my way? That is just funny. Of course I am not happy until I have everything the way I want it. Are you telling me that you don't mind it when things are not the way you want it. I can see you at McDonalds. "Can I have a Big Mac"."Yes Sir two cheese burgers coming your way". "Thankyou". lol

But back to the iPhone. It is a good product. But even good products can be improved on. Since the iPhone has bluetooth built in I just want my Bluetooth un-crippled.

Maybe I threaten your status quo life. Sorry for that.

Grow up, people!

[zunx]

THE IMPORTANT THING is NOT to run the awkward Linux on the iPhone and iPod touch, but the real McCoy: the full Aqua-based Mac OS X 10.5 inside the iPhone and iPod touch.

What for? To do this with native and full blown Apple Keynote and Microsoft Powerpoint presentations right from the iPhone and iPod touch:

Project from a Handheld!
Impatica ShowMate
Simply attach the ShowMate to the VGA port of any projector or monitor and your handheld delivers your PowerPoint presentation wirelessly using Bluetooth technology. You can now roam the stage and interact with the audience to deliver a more engaging presentation, without being tethered to a laptop. In fact, you can now travel laptop free!
http://www.impatica.com/showmate/

We need thousands for our University. Or else something like this from Apple with the full Mac OS X 10.5 inside:

Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09...ooks-and-games

Meanwhile we are just using the OQO (just 454 g weight, being a full computer and pocketable):

OQO model 02
OQO model e2
http://www.oqo.com
http://www.oqo.com/intl/products/mod...fications.html

with Mac OS X 10.5 inside:

Now OQO is the smallest MAC in the World
http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php/topic,2672.0.html

Because even the MacBook Air is too large and heavy for us.

[Marvin]

Originally Posted by zunx

THE IMPORTANT THING is NOT to run the awkward Linux on the iPhone and iPod touch, but the real McCoy: the full Aqua-based Mac OS X 10.5 inside the iPhone and iPod touch.

That would be amazing. Here is a video of it in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJM4r4PVuY

The thing is though, the OQO isn't a phone. Apple would have to make a Newton-like device and the market might be too small. I think the market is big for a tablet (doctors etc) but what size is right?

The iphone is a great device and popular because it's a phone. It needs to be simple and reliable. Leopard would need a fair bit of storage too.

With the new video-out stuff, we may see presentation capability. That would be pretty cool for university professors who don't want to lug laptops round all the time.

[ALPICH]

Originally Posted by iVlad

Grow up, people!

Sorry dad.

[bloggerblog]

Originally Posted by zunx

...Meanwhile we are just using the OQO (just 454 g weight):

OQO model 02
OQO model e2
http://www.oqo.com
http://www.oqo.com/intl/products/mod...fications.html

WOW! I wish it wasn't $1,500 though

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by VinitaBoy

ALPICH, why do you even bother with the iPhone. Clearly, CLEARLY, it is not good enough for you, so why not just jump into the Android/WinMob camp and be done with it? Or are you just one of those guys that isn't happy until he has everything precisely HIS way? (Even if that means Frankensteining everything you own.)

Originally Posted by iVlad

Grow up, people!

Pot. Kettle. Black. Is that really a "grown up" response to those wanting wireless stereo? Easily tangled headphone cables isn't really what I would consider ideal, I would like to see Apple allowed us to use it as a neater system.

Right now, the only way to add wireless stereo is to add an awkward dongle to the bottom of the phone, the one I saw a few days ago was $60 or so, and I would worry about breaking the dock connector. The iPhone has the hardware, and Apple does have the know-how to make the software. I wouldn't even mind paying a small fee for the feature.

That said, I'm not going to be installing Linux on it, I think they would have to clone most of the existing services to make it useful to me.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by zunx

THE IMPORTANT THING is NOT to run the awkward Linux on the iPhone and iPod touch, but the real McCoy: the full Aqua-based Mac OS X 10.5 inside the iPhone and iPod touch.

What for? To do this with native and full blown Apple Keynote and Microsoft Powerpoint presentations right from the iPhone and iPod touch:

That just isn't going to happen with this project, and probably not as a result of this project. Aqua & all that is proprietary to Apple, and iPhone runs ARM. They haven't released Leopard for ARM.

[zunx]

Originally Posted by bloggerblog

WOW! I wish it wasn't $1,500 though

You can get if for half the price until Monday 1st December 2008!!!

OQO model 02 Holiday Weekend Offer
http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php/topic,3274.0.html

[lilgto64]

there seems to be some pretty harsh criticism of code that is still in development.

Seems to me that a good potential future use of this might be for your old iPhone - for example I still have the original iPhone (not 3G) and will likely get a 3G model sometime next year - what to do with the old iPhone? the wife does not need the power of an iPhone - the kid is too young to need a cell phone at all. perhaps an iPhone running Linux will serve some entirely different purpose than being a phone. not really sure just what yet - but without possibilities and options being created how interesting would the future be.

And aren't there examples in the past of Apple responding to competition with something even better? or even examples of third party products that Apple ended up buying and folding into their products?

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by sandau

i won't be satisfied until beos is running on the iPhone.

lol

Good one I still have my BeOS CDs around here somewhere. Where is Jean-Louis Gassée these days anyway?

Meanwhile the folks doing this probably already have their 8 Core Mac Pros stripped of any sign of OS X running Solaris just for the hell of it. Hey, I am all for having fun with software. The good news is they can revert their iPhones back to the correct set up easily enough once the novelty of it being unable to do much wears off.

[Dorotea]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

The software primarily includes the main Linux 2.6 kernel as well as rudimentary graphics, serial, and other functional drivers that are just enough to get a command line running when input is sent over the USB interface; the accelerometer, audio, networking and even the touchscreen have yet to receive any kind of software support.

Why announce a phone os that won't allow you to make a phone call. Wait until you can do something!!!

[the cool gut]

Seriously, the entire iPhone Dev Team needs to go out and get f*cking laid. I'm not even joking.

[iphonebootcampnyc.com]

Now that on October 1 Apple*dropped the restrictive non-disclosure agreement that prohibited the teaching the SDK *a few New York City developers are offering classes in iPhone application development around the country and abroad.

Taking the lead a group of New York iPhone developers who formed the iPhone Bootcamp in New York created a*meetup*in New York City for iPhone developers. In mid-November they offered their first workshop in basic iPhone development, taught by leading NYC iphone developer Alex Cone, CEO of CodeFab and Chief Engineer at Medialets, a creative ad network for native mobile applications.

On December 13th and 14th two more workshops are scheduled for both basic and advanced iPHone Development. The goal is to train developers in iPhone Development and then spin a company off the training so the developers can work full time on the apps.
Currently the IPhone Bootcamp NYC is offering a discounted Early-bird rate.
To learn more go to the iPhone Boot Camp meetup site:
http://www.meetup.com/The-New-York-iPhone-BootCamp/

[bloggerblog]

Originally Posted by zunx

You can get if for half the price until Monday 1st December 2008!!!

OQO model 02 Holiday Weekend Offer
http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php/topic,3274.0.html

I only see $200 off of the 1.5Ghz till December 1 st

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by the cool gut

Seriously, the entire iPhone Dev Team needs to go out and get f*cking laid. I'm not even joking.

Still, that's pretty harsh. What are your hobbies? At least the people on that project are open about that, it takes guts to do that. It doesn't take any guts to criticize or judge.

Besides, a lot of innovations, careers and businesses happen as a result of a person's hobbies. A lot of those hobbies are often dismissed by their contemporaries.

[zunx]

Originally Posted by bloggerblog

I only see $200 off of the 1.5Ghz till December 1 st

Check out my link above, and the 1.6 GHz model on Expansys (select your country, search for OQO and sort for pricing):

http://www.expansys.com

You will see that such a model is 50% off on one line.