[AppleChic]

iPhone Linux Demonstration Video from planetbeing on Vimeo.

The Dev Team has reached a new milestone today, as the first alternative operating system for the hardware, Linux, is now successfully running on the iPhone.

The first build is considered a draft version and is working on the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and the original iPod touch. The software mostly includes the Linux 2.6 kernel and some basic graphics, serial and functional drivers that are just enough to get a command line running when input is sent over the USB interface. However, the accelerometer, audio, networking and not even the touchscreen have received any software support as of yet.

The Dev Team has also created OpeniBoot , a basic multi-boot front end, that lets users toggle between an alternative platform and Apple's own OS.

Although the project is still limited it is nonetheless the first known instance of a non-OS X operating system working on Apple's touchscreen devices. Jailbreaking and unlocking handsets were the only previous modifications that have been successful.

Furthermore, the Dev team has outlined its new goals and is searching for programmers to help with the project; the next step they say is to hopefully run Google's equally Linux-based but more elaborate Android mobile operating system on the iPhone.

Source: AppleInsider | iPhone Dev Team successfully boots Linux on iPhone

[nmejunkie]

It's a start for everyone who's been waiting forever.

[jmano0o]

so what does this mean for all of us?

[rdwalsh]

Originally Posted by jmano0o

so what does this mean for all of us?

It means we are closer to be able to support multiple os's on our Apple Devices, with a more open ability to do more with the device itself

[z3r01]

it means another OS running on the iphone and once it gets fine tuned, expect options, also android shouldn't be far from

[enigma222]

Amazing work

[ihawk0789]

when they said linux i thought they meant a linux distro like slax able to work on the iphone

[elr0y7]

Sweet, taking my linux class next semester so maybe I can utilize this.

[volcanomike]

Originally Posted by ihawk0789

when they said linux i thought they meant a linux distro like slax able to work on the iphone

Linux is a kernel.

[A.T]

Really hope Android works on the iPhone!!! If it does I'll never go back to Apple's firmwares.

[hondakorn]

bad ***!! this is the kind of stuff worth donating for!!

[scottjl]

bleh. why would anyone care? lol. it will never be as refined and polished as apple's existing OS on the interface.. don't get me wrong, i like linux, run ubuntu, but there isn't any practical value to this..

[Dizz]

Originally Posted by scottjl

bleh. why would anyone care? lol. it will never be as refined and polished as apple's existing OS on the interface.. don't get me wrong, i like linux, run ubuntu, but there isn't any practical value to this..

There's plenty of practical value. Bye bye apple restrictions. This will open doors to more modding capability. The list of possibilities is so long I have no idea where to begin listing all the benefits we we see from this. Finally, we will be able to use the iPhone to it's fullest capability!!

[reeko]

dual booting between android and mobile os x, can you imagine that?!

question: with the new bootloader, would it be possible to partition the iphones hard drive and multi boot possibly 2 versions of mobile os x? i.e. 1 for business with exchange on, 1 for personal. this would be very handy if it would be possible?

i hate getting my work email at 9pm when im chillaxin at home

[CaptainChaos]

This is very cool. I used to run linux on my ipod photo before the screen died on me and loved it. I can't wait to see it in action on my phone.