You don't? Well then, lets see you do it.
It is a big deal. You have to stand before you can walk, and this is clearly Linux standing on an iPhone.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Linux running on iPhone
- Thread starter NightLord
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You don't? Well then, lets see you do it.
It is a big deal. You have to stand before you can walk, and this is clearly Linux standing on an iPhone.
It'll be interesting to see... in several years, iPodLinux didn't really go anywhere after it was initially put together. But the iPhone and iPod touch are much more tempting targets than earlier iPods.
Between OpenMoko and Google Android, there are some compelling alternatives that could possibly run on the iPhone (and cough, I guess, for that matter, WM also can be made to run on it).
It may also spur development that extends to benefits in Linux software development outside the iPhone. Certainly, if this generates good multi-touch codebase for the Linux community, that in itself will be a major investment in Linux's future on consumer devices.
As iTunes protected music is one aspect of the iPhone I appreciate, and my core important feature set (trouble-free syncing of PIM functions, for instance, and simple, highly functional, but elegant interfacing / HIG) has never been a priority to the Linux community, I somehow doubt I would actually run Linux on my iPhone (even though I am typing from Linux right now).
But I still think it's a good development, and they deserve a round of cheers for what they've been able to do.
I think its got a lot of potential. Sure, it is going to take a fairly long time before anyone really gets this thing moving with an major gusto, but the devices will also be changing during this time. The dynamic element is obviously another hurdle, but by the time we do have a nice codebase for multi-touch and the like (which I hope comes out of this) things like the iPhone will be able to do one heck of a lot with it.
But then again I am just a lowly code junkie who likes to mess with stuff just to mess with stuff, so I'd like it either way.
Linux running on iPhone
A while ago I found this super post: the iPhone Dev team has running Linux successfully on the iPhone and iPod Touch. This is the original article ... http://applediario.com/en/
A while ago I found this super post: the iPhone Dev team has running Linux successfully on the iPhone and iPod Touch. This is the original article ... http://applediario.com/en/
It already appeared. There is no touch, sound, GSM or Wi-Fi support, but the kernel is working.
All we need now is a more user friendly Shell with a good GUI.
iPhone Dev Team member planetbeing has been able to even upload a set of instructions and a video of an iPhone running Linux kernel
It's good for you that you're happy with the one or two things the completely closed down OS X iPhone let's you do. Others are not happy with it, and I'm very happy that they managed to get the Linux kernel running on the iPod Touch; now there's a chance that this thing can be put to more use than just playing mp3 files and videos.
With Linux, the iPod Touch has the chance of becoming what Apple denies it to be: A real PDA.
I don't know much about Linux, and my bet is not very many people who browse these boards do either. That being said please provide a specific list of things you could do on the iPhone running Linux that is above and beyond current jailbroken capabilities. I'm not looking for generalities like "a real PDA"..that doesn't tell me anything. I'm looking for specifics.
Gee Whiz factor? Just like a new theme, everyone wants it because it's new?
The lack of response isn't very convincing.
The lack of response isn't very convincing.
Honestly.
If you don't like technological advances, then leave. And Linux on the iPhone is definitely an technological advance.
If you couldn't care less about Linux on the iPhone, then why post in a thread about Linux on the iPhone?
iPhone Linux is a big deal. More than what most of you could accomplish. Could you even begin to reverse engineer Apple's hardware drivers? Doubt it.
So stop ruining the success of others, because you're not fond of what they accomplished.
If you don't like technological advances, then leave. And Linux on the iPhone is definitely an technological advance.
If you couldn't care less about Linux on the iPhone, then why post in a thread about Linux on the iPhone?
iPhone Linux is a big deal. More than what most of you could accomplish. Could you even begin to reverse engineer Apple's hardware drivers? Doubt it.
So stop ruining the success of others, because you're not fond of what they accomplished.
I love technological advances. I am asking for specifics since I don't know much about Linux. So far I have not heard anything. Tell me specifically why it is a big deal.
well it only makes sense you would attempt to discredit it, seeing as you have little idea what you are talking about, but no problem. firstly, The majority of the functions are missing because the hardware is not only completely unique to the iphone (and ipod touch) but also there is no documentation for it, (apple's attempt to discourage tinkering). the hardest part, reverse engineering and bypassing firmware security measures then booting the unsigned code, is over; now the dev team can focus on writing device drivers for all the missing features. secondly, why linux on the iphone? because with linux, developers are allowed the freedom to do anything and everything with the iphone, no restrictions plus since its linux, linux-based apps are a port away, and who says linux is marginalized? if you like it great, if you dont there's two major companies you can choose from, MS or apple, take your pick. as for linux, its versatility is boundless; kernals have been compiled for desktops, laptops, servers, phones, security hardware, and even watches! and because of its reliability it really excels on the server front, as of august 2008, of the top 500 servers in the world, 423 (84.6%) use linux. 8/10 of the most reliable net hosting companies use linux. whatever marginalization you are talking about, linux isn't feeling it.
'Paltry' user base? hmm.. you may be right.
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
some people can come across a bit too defensive before they listen, but i will most certainly oblige you. On the public side of things, linux on the iphone is just more ammunition in favor of the argument that is telling the world ''linux can be run on anything even remotely resembling circuitry, and no measure you take to secure your hardware will stop us.'' the iphone was massively secured, the hardware was totally unique and no information describing how the stuff inside the iphone went about doings was ever officially published (AKA, hardware documentation.) which means they had to:
1) figure how the iphone harware functioned
2) compile a Linux kernel designed run on that hardware
3) bypass the firmware security, access restrictions, code authorization etc in order actually boot into linux (on the iphone, of course)
now with the hardest part over they have to create device drivers for all the features (GPS, accelerometer, wifi, touchscreen etc) to get them working and then bascially they can make it do anything they want. the have full access to the device and its features. before you did not have full access and now you do with linux installed. for example, the normal iphone's bluetooth can only connected to headsets, but with linux on it and no security protecting the blue tooth device inside the iphone from executing external code you can now make that blue tooth hookup to anything.
so bascially you can do anything you want when its linux (because linux is open source). and its says to apple they can't stop linux. of course neither can any other company on the planet.
want to hear the project leader's reason for hacking the iphone?
http://linuxoniphone.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-iphone-linux.html