We got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other idevices • Hacker News Board

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

#71

Post by JustinGarrison » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:37 PM UTC

brk wrote: post #66

simion314 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>How could we benefit from having Linux on old iDevices? On old devices that do not get updates your internet will stop working because of old browser, missing SSL certificates or old libraries. With Linux you might get an updated browser and you could use the device to browse things and you can do whatever your mind can imagine like maybe write a simple bash/python script to automate something.

Technically yes, but when? I just retired an iPhone5 that we were using as a "house controller", streaming Pandora, home automation app, etc. I retired it not because the software stopped working but because the battery won't last more than 30 minutes off the charger, and I had an iPhone8 sitting around doing nothing. IMO an iPhone with linux is going to be less of "do whatever your mind can imagine" and more of "spe…

Not everything has to be useful. Many years of “useless” hacking has given me a lot of experience and a great career.

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

#72

Post by bogwog » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:42 PM UTC

unsafecast wrote: post #68

nerdponx wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder about the implications of running them in an "always-on" configuration. Would it be possible to remove the battery and run them entirely on AC power? If you could do that, you might be able to have some pretty nice low-power home servers.

If you just want a server, you can use an android phone already. Either pick one that works with postmarketOS, or termux could work fine (I don't know the overhead of that though). No point in using an iPhone here.

What should I do with my old iPhones then?

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

#73

Post by soared » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:42 PM UTC

fareesh wrote: post #20

I remember being in an IRC regularly 10-12 years ago where there was a community that was semi-active about a project to port android to the iPhone created by David Wang (planetbeing). There were a few builds going around at the time which I tried out. This video had gone somewhat viral at the time which is what sparked my interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJj0kHQgC9w . It seems like that project eventually b…

Around the same time there were projects to put Nintendo (game boy?) games on ipods as well.

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

#74

Post by steeve » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:47 PM UTC

fareesh wrote: post #20

I remember being in an IRC regularly 10-12 years ago where there was a community that was semi-active about a project to port android to the iPhone created by David Wang (planetbeing). There were a few builds going around at the time which I tried out. This video had gone somewhat viral at the time which is what sparked my interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJj0kHQgC9w . It seems like that project eventually b…

David Wang is actually the cofounder of Corellium !

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

#75

Post by schwartzworld » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:53 PM UTC

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?

> Would I be able to repurpose a device to do something useful I can’t do with iOS?

How about doing anything at all? I have an iPad 2 and an iPad mini sitting around that aren't useful at all. Just sitting there, collecting dust because I don't have the heart to chuck them.

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

#76

Post by stuntkite » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:56 PM UTC

I am so stoked on these recent developments. I have piles of useless iPhones and I know people that have huge stashes. I can't wait to waste months trying to get the lidar working on something. It really disgusts me that old phones are bricked. Getting a high powered SBC with an actual 5G modem alone is amazing.

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

#77

Post by captainkrtek » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 3:57 PM UTC

fareesh wrote: post #20

I remember being in an IRC regularly 10-12 years ago where there was a community that was semi-active about a project to port android to the iPhone created by David Wang (planetbeing). There were a few builds going around at the time which I tried out. This video had gone somewhat viral at the time which is what sparked my interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJj0kHQgC9w . It seems like that project eventually b…

Have similar memories on IRC rooting Android devices, lots of fun times and great memories

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

#78

Post by quakeguy » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 4:03 PM UTC

schwartzworld wrote: post #75

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?

> Would I be able to repurpose a device to do something useful I can’t do with iOS? How about doing anything at all? I have an iPad 2 and an iPad mini sitting around that aren't useful at all. Just sitting there, collecting dust because I don't have the heart to chuck them.

This, and the overall build-quality of the devices makes it hard to just discard them. Even their batteries are still mostly good. I’d love to repurpose them, have several here aswell lying around.

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

#79

Post by CommanderData » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 4:05 PM UTC

I'm so excited. I want to use an old Ipad that has a failing battery as a home automation screen.

Poor iOS APIs mean developers can't create good kiosk apps to do simple things like control system settings, lock screen and so many more things that I resorted to an Android tablet.

This is finally going to make it possible and turn junk into gold.

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

#80

Post by Klonoar » Thu, Jun 09, 2022, 4:09 PM UTC

MisterTea wrote: post #57

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.

This doesn’t meaningfully reduce e-Waste. The average iPhone user is conditioned to trade in their phone with already decent recycling programs being their destination.