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We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

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Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#51

Post by bee_rider »

perfobotto wrote: post #41

Am I the only one not understanding what’s the point of all these efforts to try to run Linux on completely closed with no documentation devices (like iPhones and even mace for that matter). Seems like a lot of effort, for a crappy solution that maybe 0.0001% is going to use before realizing it is crap. Even only effort to keep up with the yearly hw updates that apple does and the complete disregard for backward comp…

It excites skilled hackers, which is good for the health of the overall community. Every platform has some poorly documented nooks and crannies and doesn't want to be fully opened up. This is practicing those skills in the most hostile environment.

Plus, it gives us backup plans, if Intel and AMD are hit by meteors.

And maybe they'll keep a couple iPads out of the landfills.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#52

Post by lm28469 »

perfobotto wrote: post #41

Am I the only one not understanding what’s the point of all these efforts to try to run Linux on completely closed with no documentation devices (like iPhones and even mace for that matter). Seems like a lot of effort, for a crappy solution that maybe 0.0001% is going to use before realizing it is crap. Even only effort to keep up with the yearly hw updates that apple does and the complete disregard for backward comp…

Isn't that one of the "true" mantras of hacking ("hacker news") ?

Doing hard things just for the sake of it

> A hacker is a person skilled in information technology who uses their technical knowledge to achieve a goal or overcome an obstacle, within a computerized system by non-standard means.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#53

Post by umtksa »

usrn wrote: post #9
vocram wrote: post #7

How could we benefit from having Linux on old iDevices? Would I be able to repurpose a device to do something useful I can’t do with iOS?

Yeah, it would actually be a useful computer.

I'm using one of my old android phone to run node-red and display a dashboard on it.

I want to use my old iphone 4 like this

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#54

Post by jraph »

captn3m0 wrote: post #50
jraph wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The iPad 2 is a perfect example. It is good some people still find use for it. However, it is a device that would be perfectly capable of being used to surf the web… but Apple stopped releasing updates for Safari and forbids alternative browser engines for iOS. The web is essentially broken on it, and I'm not even talking about the security issues that it probably has as a consequence.. I'd say it is exactly the exam…

I won it as a prize, and considering how it's still being used a decade later - it's certainly not a waste yet. I'm hoping to get Postmarket running on it, if this Linux port works out.

To be clear, I find it pleasant to read your comments about still finding use for such devices and I was not specifically writing to you personally. That was a you for the random reader of my comment. Actually, you specifically are not even in the target of my comment, since you still use your old device.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#55

Post by ben174 »

robin_reala wrote: post #37
fartcannon wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They were sued and lost for exactly this reason. https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936268845/apple-agrees-to-pay...

The technical explanation was that CPU speed scaling spikes would exceed the old battery’s ability to supply power, causing the phone to reset. Apple’s decision was that a slower phone was a better user experience than a phone that randomly reset when you tried to do something that required a high CPU frequency. The upshot of that is that, yes, your phone got slower as it aged due to a software update. The battery li…

And any way you look at it, it's clear that Apple wasn't just trying to cripple old phones in an attempt to sell the newer models. They were doing their best to prolong the life and/or maintain a decent experience for the phones that had become outdated.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#56

Post by hatware »

perfobotto wrote: post #41

Am I the only one not understanding what’s the point of all these efforts to try to run Linux on completely closed with no documentation devices (like iPhones and even mace for that matter). Seems like a lot of effort, for a crappy solution that maybe 0.0001% is going to use before realizing it is crap. Even only effort to keep up with the yearly hw updates that apple does and the complete disregard for backward comp…

The point is that people in their free time, can break into systems that cost millions in design to keep those people out.

For me, the homebrew community is the reason why I have a career in technology in the first place. Breaking into things you're not supposed to is fun, and teaches a lot of practical knowledge.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#57

Post by MisterTea »

perfobotto wrote: post #41

Am I the only one not understanding what’s the point of all these efforts to try to run Linux on completely closed with no documentation devices (like iPhones and even mace for that matter). Seems like a lot of effort, for a crappy solution that maybe 0.0001% is going to use before realizing it is crap. Even only effort to keep up with the yearly hw updates that apple does and the complete disregard for backward comp…

I understand your gripe but think of it like this: manufactures like apple make locked down devices which are now able to be unlocked. This reduces e-waste while showing manufactures that we want more freedom and will do as we please with OUR hardware.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#58

Post by jasonlotito »

fartcannon wrote: post #27
sgjohnson wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Batteries are consumable, and there's not a shred of evidence that Apple is purposefully downgrading battery life with updates.

Quoted post unavailable.

This is only half true. There were sued for this, but you can sue anyone for anything so that hardly matters.

The assertion you are making has not been proven, and the link in your article backs this up. Quite the opposite. Your claim is false.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#59

Post by alistairSH »

rtpg wrote: post #40
alistairSH wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's kind of weird, since phones are generally on all the time when being actively used. I guess it depends on what active/sleep "modes" are available - ie can Linux on Apple run processes with the screen asleep or whatever. As long as it's plugged in, it should be workable, maybe. But, in my mind, you wouldn't try to build a server farm out of 5+ year old iPads. Instead, you'd continue to use them as consumption d…

I believe what people have said is that the components can’t handle continuous use (instead of basically idling on user input). Even when being in use for the most part these machines just are rendering some textures onto the screen and the cpu is not doing much

That wouldn't surprise me. Could still be fun for tinkering and light consumption.

Re: We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices

#60

Post by _ea1k »

Gigachad wrote: post #12
vocram wrote: post #7

How could we benefit from having Linux on old iDevices? Would I be able to repurpose a device to do something useful I can’t do with iOS?

A somewhat newish iPhone would be more powerful than the raspberry pi. And I have got good use out of the pi for hosting game servers for small numbers of users. You can also get old apple devices way cheaper than new equivalent single board computers.

I've thought of using older Pixel phones for something like this. One annoying downside is that the Pixel devices do not tend to have an easy way to enable hdmi out.
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