[MLB-WIRELESS] Linux porting question

[Michael Vale]

Ivy Jane Gardiner wrote:
> On 20/12/2009 1:12 PM, peter berrett wrote:
>   
>> Hi all
>>
>> I am awaiting delivery of a mobile phone - a F003 Chinese Iphone knock off.
>> I am rather intrigued with these phones and woul like to unlock their
>> potential and that of course means getting Linux to run on them.
>>
>> I have only used Ubuntu so I am by no leans a Linux expert. I know that
>> these phones run on a 200 mhz ARM-9 compatible processor and I believe
>> Lemonix can run on ARM processors.
>>
>> Has anyone here ported a version of Linux to such a phone and any thoughts
>> on how difficult or otherwise it might be to do so?
>>
>> The phone in question is here
>>
>> http://cgi.ebay.com.au/P168-WIFI-TV-DUAL-SIM-Cell-phone-JAVA-F030-F035-i9-f003_W0QQitemZ260521268713QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCell_Phones?hash=item3ca84715e9
>>
>> It seems to me that with Linux running the phone could do some cool things
>> eg run Skype. A linux blingphone!
>>
>> Thanks Peter
>>    
>>     
>
> Hi Peter,
>
> There are a few versions of linux that do run on the ARM processor, my 
> fav been Maemo, which runs on the Nokia internet tablets (n770 n800 and 
> n810) and on their new phone the N900.
>
> I think with this iPhone knockoff, how easy it would be to port linux to 
> it, as I would hazard a guess that there is little info available on 
> this iPhone Knockoff.  The issue with out the hardware specs it's going 
> to be rather difficult to port a distribution to the phone.
>
> Just looking at the device, does it even run the iPhone OS? as just 
> looking at the screen, some things just look a little odd that's all.
>
> I'm currently playing round with development on the iPod Touch 
> (basically the iPhone without a phone.) and there isn't any publically 
> available hooks to be able to install your own OS.
>
> There are "jail broken" version of the iPhone OS around, but I don't 
> think there is enough information available to be able to port linux to 
> the device.
>
> Personally if you were looking at a "hackable" ARM/OMAP based device, 
> I'd really recomend having a look at the n810 which I still think can be 
> bought retail in the states and here.
>
> The n810 runs a version of debian, and is really quite nice. I've had a 
> lot of fun hacking it.
>
> Take Care
>
> Ivy Jane Gardiner
> VK3IVY
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>
>   

True.  There is an iPhone Linux port, but as mentioned, writing drivers 
for undocumented parts is not easy.

There is also the Openmoko Freerunner that runs an embedded linux distro.

You're best to start out by finding out what exactly the device 
comprises of.  It may already run a *nix OS.

Re,

MV.