Some more information about the Apple iPhone is keep hitting the web: the ARM CPU is apparently made by Samsung, applications will only be developed by third party companies that have a license agreement with Apple and make sure they follow specific guidelines (and possibly the apps will only be available by iTunes) while other sources say that the iPhone indeed runs a modified version of Darwin with a few OSX components (incorrectly reported by Slashdot today that it's not). Desktop OSX apps won't run on the iPhone of course. David Pogue also has two FAQs on the product (1,2).
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-07-04
So let me get this straight. It doesn't have the same core as OSX, or the same interface, and doesn't run OSX apps? Well next time someone tries to tell me my OpenBSD box is behind OSX, I'll just say it IS OSX. The core is different, the interface is different, and it doesn't run OSX apps but apparently that doesn't apply to the imposter running on the iPhone either.
Yep, you're right, just like the imposter sitting on my desk at school that purports to run Windows XP. I'm unable to install applications on this desktop, so it is clearly an imposter. Oh, and FIY, Linksys wireless routers didn't run Linux either by your logic, since you can't install KDE on it.
And again I ask, who says it doesn't have the same core? There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that proves that Darwin isn't running on the iPhone. None. Nada. Zip.
As for a different interface.....friggin duh! Look at the screen size man. You're delusional if you think a 3.5" screen on a cell phone would run the same interface I'm using on my 20" widescreen. Linux on the Linksys router doesn't run the same interface as most desktop Linux installs either.
As for the apps, this has nothing to do with what OS it is running. Steve Jobs could release an iMac running OS X with no ability to install apps if he pleased. This is a licensing and contract issue and has absolutely nothing to do with the operating system. The same restriction could be applied to a Palm or Windows Mobile handset.
Member since:2006-09-24
You are almost entirely correct with your points, however, it doesn't change what I said or make me wrong. Steve Jobs said point blank "The iPhone runs a full version of OSX." Five seconds of common sense will lead you to call bullshit on good old Steve.
FIY, Linksys wireless routers didn't run Linux either by your logic, since you can't install KDE on it.
Sorry I have to call you out directly on this one. Complete BS. OSX would be different if you couldn't install apps on it and it came with a different interface (which is the case), Linux would not. Why? Because OSX as a complete OS includes Aqua. Linux is a command line OS using GNU tools. There is absolutely no reason you would ever have to install X, KDE, GNOME, or anything graphical for it to qualify as Linux.
Member since:2006-01-25
The point is its claimed as the full version of OS X, when it clearly isn't. Its a severely cut back and redeveloped version, even if it is based on the OS X kernel.
Its different from the Linksys routers saying they are running Linux because Linux is a kernel. If the someone says that their Linksys router is running the full Ubuntu on it, even if they have the Ubuntu kernel running on their router, they aren't running the full Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a full software stack, starting from the kernel going to a set of default applications, just like Windows is the same, and the same with OS X as well.
Member since:
2006-09-24
So let me get this straight. It doesn't have the same core as OSX, or the same interface, and doesn't run OSX apps? Well next time someone tries to tell me my OpenBSD box is behind OSX, I'll just say it IS OSX. The core is different, the interface is different, and it doesn't run OSX apps but apparently that doesn't apply to the imposter running on the iPhone either.