[MLB-WIRELESS] Linux porting question

[Ivy Jane Gardiner]

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