It was bound to happen – a developer manages to run Linux on Apple’s iPhone.
The press and development community point to the potential of Google’s Android operating system eventually running on the iPhone as well. Doing so would provide developers an open platform while utilizing a sexier, and arguably superior, piece of hardware. Ultimately, though… so what?
The desire run an operating system on hardware that it was never intended for is the holy grail of hackers and hardcore developers. In many ways simply accomplishing the task is about a sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment. To say you can do it and you managed to be the first to do it. Another aspect is the “scientific” knowledge one can obtain from attempting such a task. This knowledge can then be applied to other tasks and goals.
Apple is fiercely protective of their hardware and will never allow another OS on the device that ensures a lock solid foothold in the mobile device market and music distribution space, so this will not be a commercial adventure. From a practical perspective, I cannot see how this will move beyond a small core set of individuals who can impress their friends with Linux on the iPhone.
Maybe that is what this is about – bragging rights.
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