Tux makes home on the iPhone

Linux means never having to ask why

Posted in Mobile, 1st December 2008 15:11 GMT

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The iPhone DevTeam has managed to get a Linux image to boot up on an iPhone, at least to console level, though they've resolutely failed to explain why one would want to do such a thing.

It's hard to imagine there are many iPhone users out there who love the hardware but are unhappy with the OS and interface, but that's never stopped the Linux crowd before. They won't be happy until the little penguin has been replicated everywhere, and today it's the turn of the iPhone to feel the touch of rebel code.

Some details are missing: the port won't support writing to the storage memory, networking or the touchscreen. It can't make noises or phone calls, but it can take console commands sent over the USB connection, and that alone is pretty damned impressive.

iPhone Linux Demonstration Video from planetbeing on Vimeo.

The developers are keen for anyone with experience porting Linux to aid the effort, and are in particular looking for anyone with experience of Google's Android OS, which presents an unlikely but entertaining scenario.

But why? Planetbeing, as the developer identifies himself, makes some attempt to explain on his blog, but really there's no need. Just like the chap who wrote a ZX81 emulator for the ZX80 about 2 years ago, hacking projects like this don't need a reason for being. Simply proving the unnecessary can be done should be an end in itself. ®

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