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Linux successfully ported to the iPhone, iPod touch

updated 04:20 pm EST, Mon December 1, 2008

Linux on iPhone


Devteam member planetbeing has successfully reverse-engineered the iPhone and iPod touch platforms to run the open-source Linux 2.6 kernel. The port is still in the beginning stages of development, with limited functionality that lacks support for the touchscreen, sound, accelerometer, baseband and wireless networking. When the device is powered-on, OpeniBoot gives the choice of booting the iPhone operating system or a separate mode for the Linux kernel.

So far, the system works with the first and second-generation iPhones and the first-generation iPod touch. Users can dabble with the operating system by connecting another device for input via USB cable.


by MacNN Staff

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TAGS :

 iPhone, iPod touch, developer, Linux, hacks

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Comments

  1. boris_cleto

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2002

    -2
    12/01, 06:47pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Why?

    I'm pretty sure my toaster oven can boot linux. The question is why?

  1. jpellino

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

    -1
    12/01, 07:25pm | report spam | Reply |

    Great.

    A linux-powered flashlight.

  1. Flying Meat

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2007

    -1
    12/01, 07:46pm | report spam | Reply |

    It's early yet.

    It's interesting, if currently useless.

  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    -5
    12/01, 08:28pm | report spam | Reply |

    stupid people...

    This is just the beginning of something revolutionary. Yet, stupid, ignorant people always gotta knock down competing formats. Then if only one company did all the success, then you will cry it's a monopoly, if you even had brains at that point you realized this.

    F*K Apple I say.... they are increasingly a dictatorship under Steve Jobs. Once he passes away, things will be much better, just like the economy... Holding on to something selfishly increases the culture to exposure of greed. THIS IS BAD FOR ALL ETHHICS OF LOVE & MAN.

    Reform the entire human species!... stop watching tv and get your arse up and start looking!

    READ A BOOK!!

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +1
    12/02, 09:41am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: Why?

    I'm pretty sure my toaster oven can boot linux. The question is why?


    That's what you all asked when they ported Linux to the iPod! And now look at it. You can get an iPod that runs Linux! That's why!

    The fact is that there are many Linux fan-boys out there that are a lot like Mac fanboys, who like to do what they can to 'promote' Linux on everything.

    Just imagine the excitement in some of the Apple faithful if you got OS X to run on your toaster! Or, even better, if Apple came out with an iToaster (it glows to tell you that is off).

  1. DeezNutts

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    0
    12/02, 11:46am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: Why?


    Because it is there.

  1. ggirton

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    -3
    12/02, 12:27pm | report spam | Reply |

    lacks support for all

    the things that make an iPhone an iPhone.

    "lacks support for the touchscreen, sound, accelerometer, baseband and wireless networking."

    they forgot to mention making phone calls.

    Just another example of intellectual parasitism. Take the linux kernel and put it on someone else's designed device, live a short life and then die.

    Let them design their own linux-run device, like Chumby! Which by the way is totally open! And it already runs Linux! And it supports the Chumby touch screen! And sound! And Flash! And WiFi! Go Chumby Go!

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