Blogger Kiyoshi Saruwatari claims that Nintendo's upcoming Wii console runs on the open source Linux operating system. According to Saruwatari, who claims to be a Nintendo insider, the company reduced development costs by leveraging open source software and incorporating a Linux kernel into the Wii software platform. A wide variety of additional features like web browsing, video playback, file management, and emulation all run on Nintendo's custom Linux operating system, which uses a proprietary interface. Unlike the other specialized software components, the actual games will not run under the Linux platform, and can be played without booting Linux if the user holds down the "A" button while the Wii is starting up.
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Member since:2005-09-06
They say it can only read signed code, this would have to be embedded into the kernel. Most likely they will also have video drivers that would have to be closed source that will be inserted into the kernel(that could violate the gpl). My bet out of all of this is that they are going to be a bunch of dicks, and lock down everthing unless you pay them big money. I hope a lawsuit comes out of this if they are indeed locking down the kernel, if it is linux(if it is a bsd, i feel sorry for who ever they are leaching off of).
Member since:2005-07-06
Most likely they will also have video drivers that would have to be closed source that will be inserted into the kernel(that could violate the gpl).
Since the games don't run in Linux, even according to the "insider", the drivers only need to provide a basic level of functionality (640x480 unaccelerated 2D graphics).
if it is a bsd, i feel sorry for who ever they are leaching off of
It's not "leaching" if the authors explicitly give permission to use the code anymore than reading articles here is leeching off of OSnews.
Member since:2005-09-01
Member since:
2006-01-10
Lets assume this story is true (which I personally doubt)
1. Being GPL, Nintendo MUST provide a copy of the source code for the kernel. Chances are though, they will make tiny changes that are ultimately not very interesting. In particular, note that using the linux kernel does NOT mean they need to provide the source code for any other software.
2. This does not in any way mean that the Wii will be an open platform. Nintendo are well within their rights to construct the Wii such that it will only boot a signed kernel, and you can be certain they would do so. GPLv2 permits this and the Linux kernel developers have explicitly supported such usage of their code.
So to summarise, if this story is true it would simply mean Nintendo would have to provide the source code for the kernel, 99% of which would be identical to what you can download from kernel.org . For us as potential users of the Wii, it means nothing.
Edited 2006-10-09 22:08