Chrome OS Arrives On the iPad — No, Seriously! 325
Thinkcloud writes "A user named Hexxeh has posted a video online of the iPad running Google's upcoming Chrome OS. Hexxeh was able to put Chrome OS on an iPad because the open source code for the operating system is available in its Chromium state, but it's not necessarily true that Apple will allow iPads to run other operating systems going forward. That's typically not a level of openness found in the Apple playbook. Nevertheless, it's worth considering what it might mean to have a robust OS like Apple's on the same tablet as one that runs a cutting-edge operating system like Chrome OS. Why wouldn't users love that?"
Music? (Score:4, Insightful)
Why do the creators of these tech videos always add annoying music where silence or narration would be better?
Re: (Score:2)
I liked the music. You can silence it easy enough if you don't. Narration might have been useful, as would a better angle of the camera or an actual description on the video. I guess it's part of the mystery in revealing this. I'm wondering though -- is this an iPad running Chromium or an iPad running Chrome OS as TFA/TFS claims? It seems as if the former would be far easier to pull off (jailbreak it and get a chromium build running). And even if you buy into the whole the-browser-is-the-OS thing, surely it
go direct to the source luke (Score:3, Informative)
mod parent up (Score:3, Informative)
Parent is pointing to the original author's blog, no idea why this is moderated as troll ..
Going forward? (Score:2)
Idiotic Summary (Score:2, Insightful)
it's not necessarily true that Apple will allow iPads to run other operating systems going forward. That's typically not a level of openness found in the Apple playbook.
You can run Windows or linux on Mac computers and Apple has done nothing to hinder that. Apple for a time shipped trusted computing modules in their machines and haters went crazy about how Apple was locking them down. The end result, Apple didn't use it at all for locking anything down and simply made it available to developers doing encryption. There's been a working version of Android in the iPhone since April and Apple has done nothing about it. Why then would anyone claim Apple is going to try to stop
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
You can run Windows or linux on Mac computers
The iPad is not a computer, it's a device. Apple has a much different attitude about their devices than their computers.
There's been a working version of Android in the iPhone since April and Apple has done nothing about it.
You are aware of what the term jailbreak refers to, yes? How about the long running battles to keep alternative OSes off of iPods or keeping iTunes as the dominant force for managing them?
iPad instead of netbook (Score:2)
The iPad is not a computer, it's a device.
As I and apparently several other Slashdot users understand it, Apple's iPad is an appliance intended to replace a computer. Consider that Apple has chosen not make a MacBook smaller than 13"; instead of a netbook, it makes an appliance.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
If you have to use an exploit to install your alternative OS, that means the vendor is not receptive to you doing so. And do you have a 6th generation iPod running Rockbox or the like?
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
There is a difference between "actively attempts to prevent" and "does not provide the means to".
Re: (Score:2)
There is a difference between "actively attempts to prevent" and "does not provide the means to".
There is. And exploits are workarounds to the former.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Their "long-running battles" extend only to voiding the warranties of jailbroken devices.
No it hasn't. Apple has repeatedly blocked jailbreaks. [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Yes it has. Apple has repeatedly patched security flaws in their OS. [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store (www.itunes.com), later this week. Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone's warranty.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
...Yet you trust a company which basically says "Hey, we might brick your phone just to spite you"
The alternative is, "Whatever weird-ass system level shit you put on your phone, without telling us about it, often using temporary internal API structures, we absolutely guarantee that our firmware and OS upgrades won't break a thing, and if they do, bring it to us and we'll get it all fixed up for you for free."
Now does that sound like a sustainable business process to you?
Re:Idiotic Summary (Score:5, Insightful)
No, the alternative is, "You bought it, it's yours, do with it what you want. If it doesn't work, don't blame us".
There's a lot of room between that "try anything funny and we'll brick your phone".
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Which is basically what Apple does. The ONE incident where jailbroken phones were bricked involved not just a jailbreak but some extra "weird-ass system level shit" (as the GP put it), and Apple said ahead of time that the update might brick some jailbroken phones. If you a) updated and b) didn't bother to restore your phone to factory settings before you did, you kind of deserved it.
Oh, and by "brick" they meant "temporarily disable until you went into a store and we fixed it for you for free."
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
No, the alternative is, "You bought it, it's yours, do with it what you want. If it doesn't work, don't blame us".
How is that not what they're saying? You buy the phone, jailbreak it, do whatever you want with it. It'll work like that for the foreseeable future. If you choose to "update" your phone with their OS again, of course it could stop your jailbreak from working since the jailbreak was written specifically for the previous OS. It's like writing an application for Ubuntu that works on a very spec
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Come on, that's outright dishonest. They have outright threatened to cripple devices that were unlocked in the past (see, for example, here [gizmodo.com]), AND they have refused to replace or service obviously broken hardware simply because the software was jailbroken or the phone unlocked and running on an unapproved carrier. Go to some of the iPhone forums, you'll read plenty of threads of users restoring their software to stock state so that they can bring a broken piece of hardware to the store to get serviced with
Re:Idiotic Summary (Score:5, Informative)
Come on, that's outright dishonest. They have outright threatened to cripple devices that were unlocked in the past (see, for example, here),
Wait wait, now THAT's outright dishonest.
Specifically, Apple didn't threaten to cripple devices.
Apple posted a warning that they found out that the baseband update code is broken on unlocked devices and doesn't function correctly.
In other words, Apple didn't cripple your device, the unlockers screwed up.
Says who? Says people who worked on the unlocks in the first place.
http://code.google.com/p/iphone-elite/wiki/iPhoneBrick [google.com]
Re:Idiotic Summary (Score:4, Informative)
...Yet you trust a company which basically says "Hey, we might brick your phone just to spite you"
Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store (www.itunes.com), later this week. Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone's warranty.
You read it that way, I read it as "hey, if you're going to install new firmware and then also install our firmware updater, we aren't responsible if it screws something up. I mean, we haven't even seen your code... how can we possibly know ahead of time if our updater won't wipe some important part of the memory of your homebrew firmware? Look, if you're going to modify the guts of your phone, it's all your responsibility if it fails. Don't come crying to us."
At a basic level, if you jailbroke your phone, then why would you also install an iOS update? That'd be like installing OSX on a computer and then running a Win7 security update. It could do nothing, or it could wipe out the kernel.
Update iOS to access iTunes Store and Wii Shop (Score:2)
At a basic level, if you jailbroke your phone, then why would you also install an iOS update?
To retain access to the iTunes Store. Consider the case of another appliance maker that also calls its appliances' operating system IOS: whenever Nintendo releases a Wii Menu update to close the hole that allows installation of the current version of Homebrew Channel, it also updates Wii Shop Channel and blocks access from older versions of Wii Shop Channel.
Re: (Score:2)
At a basic level, if you jailbroke your phone, then why would you also install an iOS update?
To retain access to the iTunes Store. Consider the case of another appliance maker that also calls its appliances' operating system IOS: whenever Nintendo releases a Wii Menu update to close the hole that allows installation of the current version of Homebrew Channel, it also updates Wii Shop Channel and blocks access from older versions of Wii Shop Channel.
... and? This is like saying you hackintoshed a Dell to put OSX on it, but still want access to Windows System Updates. I mean, sure, you can want that, but it's neither Apple, Microsoft, nor Dell's responsibility to make sure you can have it.
Dual boot (Score:3, Insightful)
This is like saying you hackintoshed a Dell to put OSX on it, but still want access to Windows System Updates.
Of course someone who installs a dual boot between Windows 7 and Mac OS X will want updates for Windows 7. That's all the Homebrew Channel on Wii is: a dual boot environment. If Microsoft denied updates to Windows 7 users who have multiple operating systems installed, several countries' competition regulators would step in.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Idiotic Summary (Score:5, Insightful)
On the PC, I can see what you're saying. On the phones, not so much. In fact, they're rather famous for not allowing you to do what you want with your phone. It took new rules to allow unlocking, for instance. You might argue that the locking had more to do with contracts with ATT than anything else... Maybe you have a point here.
But ... How about Project Gutenberg? The Kama Sutra? I think Apple has rightfully earned their reputation as a nanny mothership. They may allow alternate OSes. We'll see on that, but they definitely don't want you running non-approved apps on devices where they control the app store. This particular alternate OS will allow people to run non-approved apps. Apple is not going to allow that.
If they haven't done something to stop Android on the iPhone it's either a) the new unlocking rules or b) it's not very popular so they don't care (yet).
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
We'll see on that, but they definitely don't want you running non-approved apps on devices where they control the app store. This particular alternate OS will allow people to run non-approved apps. Apple is not going to allow that.
See, that's just not true. You can write and install your own non-approved apps, and you can even distribute them using the ad hoc distribution method. The only thing Apple is refusing to do is provide storage, distribution, and payment systems for apps they don't approve of. Complaining about this is like complaining that you can't walk into Best Buy and put your own software on their shelves without their approval. They're under no obligation to provide you with shelf space and payment at their registers.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:2, Flamebait)
As I'm sure you well know, you cannot run non-Apple approved apps (unless you're trying to claim that web apps are an acceptable replacement for native iOS apps) without first jailbreaking your phone.
Go back to my earlier post. Notice how I used an odd phrase, "ad hoc distribution"? That was on purpose. You can most certainly run non-Apple approved apps that aren't web apps without jailbreaking your phone. It also doesn't void your license agreement with Apple.
The rest of your post is moot in view of the above and therefore invalid.
Re:Idiotic Summary (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm a registered iOS developer, but even I have to agree with the principle of your parent post. Ad Hoc is a way to get betas out to testers before submitting your app to Apple. It is not a way to get your app to a random and/or unlimited number of users.
Re:Idiotic Summary (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Do you mean the bit that says "You may obtain development-related digital certificates from Apple, subject to a maximum number as reasonably determined by Apple, that will allow Your Application to be installed and tested on Authorized Test Devices. You may also obtain, during the Term, one or more production digital certificates from Apple, subject to a maximum number as reasonably determined by
Re: (Score:2)
See, that's just not true. You can write and install your own non-approved apps
Being able to do something after jailbreaking your phone doesn't mean apple allows it.
And a number of things are just allowed by Apple because there are laws against them not allowing it.
Re: (Score:2)
You can run Windows or linux on Mac computers and Apple has done nothing to hinder that.
On the contrary, it's providing Boot Camp and (at least for windows) hardware drivers exactly for that purpose.
Nevertheless, the iPad and iPhone are locked-down devices, so in their particular cases, I think the submitter is still right.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
What about the encrypted firmware on iPods? Now you can't run Rockbox...
Yeah, they added a hardware hash to the database, but that doesn't actually stop you from installing a different OS on the device, you just have to give up using iTunes for it or break the encryption (potentially illegal depending upon jurisdiction).
False dichotomy (Score:2)
Robust *is* cutting-edge.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Yeah, say that after running the experimental branch of any operating system.
Re: (Score:2)
Wrong way around. I never said cutting-edge was always robust.
I Don't Get Chrome OS (Score:5, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2)
I don't know. Though my tone was definitely different several years ago, its come to a point now where I can't think of anything more useless than a computer with no internet connection. Yes, I know, you can do a lot of stuff without it. I been using computers for nearly 25 years, since long before networked connections were common. Still, today, even doing those tasks I find myself constantly needing to access something online.
Everyone wont' share this opinion, but there is some merit to the fact that
Re: (Score:2)
The main downside I see to "web-apps" and such is the constant possibility that specific companies will go out of business. With offline apps you can keep using software long after the developer folds
True, but almost infinitely more likely is the dev upgrades the app from version 4 to version 5. Ooops, you have version 5. I guess you need to pay, again.
How many times has my wife bought "discus" the (otherwise excellent) dvd label editor? How many times has she had to buy "garage sale"? Thats the business model to avoid at all costs.
Re: (Score:2)
True, but almost infinitely more likely is the dev upgrades the app from version 4 to version 5. Ooops, you have version 5. I guess you need to pay, again.
Why? Does the software expire? Or do the upgrades happen at the same time as major Windows upgrades (such as 98 to XP, or XP to 7)?
Re: (Score:2)
I honestly can't think of anything more useless than an OS that will not work if you don't have an internet connection.
Humorously, you posted that in an article about the ipad, since its arrival mine has never been out of range of my wifi router. Apple also sells a 3G model that is always "in range" of the internet.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I get ChromeOS. I don't get it on a tablet. It's obviously focused towards netbooks and pc's where you want an "instant on" option. It's designed to be used like a desktop browser...with a mouse or track pad. Tablets should have a mobile OS designed around touch screens.
Re: (Score:2)
I get ChromeOS. I don't get it on a tablet. It's obviously focused towards netbooks and pc's where you want an "instant on" option. It's designed to be used like a desktop browser...with a mouse or track pad. Tablets should have a mobile OS designed around touch screens.
I agree with this, and had kind of assumed that ChromeOS would have a tablet flavour with those kind of features -- multitouch zoom and drag, a good onscreen keyboard etc. The Wikipedia page on Chrome doesn't mention any of this -- but I would be very surprised if it was missing from the first official Google release of ChromeOS.
Re: (Score:2)
Can't think of anything more useless than a computer that doesn't have internet connection.
Re: (Score:2)
You've clearly never owned a Tandy.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
there's plenty of environments where internet connectivity is a given.
And there's plenty of shit that "happens": from small stuff like a broken router or cable modem or check that got lost in the mail, to big stuff like a back hoe accidentally cutting a cable.
Re: (Score:2)
It's 2010. You fall back on mobile broadband until your main service gets fixed.
Not every household has $110 per month to spend on redundant Internet connections ($50/mo cable + $60/mo MiFi) plus overages should your operating system vendor happen to release a major service pack while your wired service happens to be broken.
Re: (Score:2)
Seriously, there's plenty of environments where internet connectivity is a given. For example, if I had a tablet (iPad, Android, ChromeOS, whatever) it would probably seldom leave the house.
I take it you either A. drive to work, B. bike to work, or C. telecommute. Some people commute to work on a bus or train.
If you pay for it, you can get effectively uncapped mobile broadband
Some people don't have $1,440 for a two-year subscription to MiFi service in addition to what they're already paying for Internet access at home.
Wait? What? (Score:5, Insightful)
A dual booting iPad with Chrome OS would essentially give you ... a second browser.
I'm not sure what there is to get excited about. The iPad one is pretty damn good, also uses WebKit and you get a bunch of other functionality thrown in for free - some of which is rather useful - without having to be permanently connected to the internet.
In response to a probably screwy summery (Score:4, Insightful)
Nevertheless, it's worth considering what it might mean to have a robust OS like Apple's on the same tablet as one that runs a cutting-edge operating system like Chrome OS. Why wouldn't users love that?
Apple isn't going for cutting edge as much as they are going for reliable. iPad users don't want to spend time configuring their product, they want it to work, quickly and beautifully, out of the box.
In short, iPad Market != Slashdot.
Re: (Score:2)
Depends on what you mean by "configure". If you mean downloading apps, and re-arranging my icons? Lots of time spent so far. If you mean almost any other form of "configure", you're absolutely correct -- not something I want to do on that device.
Not all of Slashdot, but the number of iPad users from Slashdot is also not zero.
And, I have to say ... kudos to this guy for getting something else running on an iPad,
Some work needed (Score:2)
The article states that it "reacts flawlessly to user inputs", but it's still doing mouse emulation for the clicks and it looks like he has some trouble clicking on some buttons.
It's also very sluggish looking (despite the hyper music) which isn't too promising for something that's suppose to be a light weight operating system. Looks more like he just made a Chrome app for the iPad.
Apple "allows"? (Score:2)
not necessarily true that Apple will allow iPads to run other operating systems going forward. That's typically not a level of openness found in the Apple playbook.
Since when did Apple disallow other OSes from running on its hardware? Back in the day, I recall Windows NT 4 running natively, and I've since seen XP and Linux running on Apple hardware with no modifications to the machine.
Re: (Score:2)
NT never ran native on Apple hardware.. there where 3 flavors
x86
Alpha
PPC
some people belived the PPC would work on Apple hardware but it wouldn't due to Apple using it's own implemntation.
while MacOS supported PReP and later CHRP - the apple hardware didn't.. meaning that you could have in theory installed MacOS on the same IBM PPC box that NT would go on.. but you would not have been able to install NT or AIX on the Apple PPC box.
are are reports of some apple hardware being CHRP compliant but you would be v
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Jailbreaking to put an alternate OS on the phone is no big deal. Replacing parts of your current OS and then expecting Apple to support it is the problem (and considering that a large portion of the l33t folk who jailbreak their phone have no idea what they're doing or even why they're doing it, that's a sizable number of folk). Part of Apple's success is that they sell Solutions, not Products, and they support the entire Solution instead of passing the buck around. This changes that model.
Not in Apple's playbook? (Score:3, Insightful)
Sorry. I'm as anti-Apple and the next Linux fanboi, but that's just simply not true. Apple made the MacBook Pro famous by running Windows XP/Vista/7 better than most PCs "designed for Windows." What's more, they encourage dual booting with their bootcamp.
Now while it would be unexpected for Apple to endorse alternate OSes for iPad, it's not fair to say it's not in their playbook. This would be especially true if, for some reason, Win7 based tablets began to catch on. (I seriously doubt they will, but still!)
Re:Not in Apple's playbook? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Not in Apple's playbook? (Score:4, Insightful)
You think that a company which basically said "Jailbreak your phone and we will come up with a software update to brick it" really is concerned about letting people decide what they can run on their iPad?
Technically, what they said was "if you replace the firmware on your phone and then be an idiot and install our firmware updater which assumes certain files are in certain places, then don't come crying to us if it doesn't work."
There is a reason the iPad doesn't run a full operating system, Apple doesn't -want- people to use it, they simply want them to consume.
Or it could be that a "full operating system" doesn't really work well with a touch-based UI.
there are reasons why you can't just sideload apps that aren't approved without jailbreaking.
Google "ad hoc distribution". What you meant was "there are reasons why Apple refuses to waste storage and bandwidth costs in their store for apps that they don't want to host."
Re: (Score:2)
Sorry. I'm as anti-Apple and the next Linux fanboi, but that's just simply not true. Apple made the MacBook Pro famous by running Windows XP/Vista/7 better than most PCs "designed for Windows."
Since when are poor performance and the lack of solid drivers signs of running "better?" The main high point of MacBooks, the very good battery life, is cut in half when running Windows, as Anandtech shows every few months.
Re: (Score:2)
Apple "allows" the iPad to run other OS's just as much as android device makers "allow" it on their devices. Meaning you can do it if you hack it on and people will laugh in your face if you bitch about bricking it and losing your warranty. No mainstream company actively encourages or makes it easy to install anything other than what the portable device came with. To single out Apple for scorn just shows an irrational pettiness.
end-user mostly dont care what OS is running (Score:2, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Let's get real -- this is a hacker demonstrating their own L33T SK1LLZ, and ChromiumOS's portability. Nobody in their right mind is suggesting that a typical end user would want to replace iOS with ChromeOS on an iPad.
What it does mean is that a hacker/developer who wants to try out ChromeOS on a touchscreen, and happens to own an iPad, can do so. If you want to develop for both platforms, well now you can test on both with less outlay on hardware.
Re:end-user mostly dont care what OS is running (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
While I myself think ChromeOS is a downgrade even for the pathetic excuse for an OS that is iOS
How the hell is iOS a pathetic excuse for an OS? Or, like most detractors who simply haven't developed for the platform, are you simply referring to the application launcher?
Re: (Score:2)
A) I can't run whatever I want on it, everything has to be "approved" by Apple
B) Applications essentially run in a "black-box" with Android I know what my apps have access to. If a soundboard wants to access the internet and my GPS location I'm not going to install it because it could track me and has no legitimate reason to.
C) Only one source for applications and no built-in ability to add in other repositories
D) Minimal customization out-of-box, to change something as basic a
Re: (Score:2)
A) I can't run whatever I want on it, everything has to be "approved" by Apple
OK, I'll give you that. But that is not really issue with iOS - it is more about the platform.
B) Applications essentially run in a "black-box" with Android I know what my apps have access to. If a soundboard wants to access the internet and my GPS location I'm not going to install it because it could track me and has no legitimate reason to.
Which is why iOS itself asks you to grant permission to an application that wants to use GPS, and indicates when the internet and GPS is being used. Wasn't there report recently about a spate of Android apps tracking users without consent?
C) Only one source for applications and no built-in ability to add in other repositories
Again, I'll give you that. Again, this is a platform issue and not iOS.
D) Minimal customization out-of-box, to change something as basic as icons you have to edit the direct image file itself, etc.
Hmm. You don't like the stock icons. Sorry.
On the other hand, if I was running something on Linux or Windows, I can run whatever I want on it, through things like packet sniffers and the like I can see what my applications are accessing, there are many sources for applications on both platforms and adding other repositories is as simple as typing into a dialog box. With both Windows and Linux you can customize to your desires. You can leave the stock OS how it is, or you can make it be radically different to suit your style.
iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are devices designed for end users wh
Just wondering... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
If anything, Chrome OS is a downgrade from iOS.
Re: (Score:2)
Because most people aren't old enough to remember terminal clients, which is what ChromeOS essentially is.
... and if you were to show those "most people" an old terminal app alongside a rich web app, they'd have no idea why you consider them to be "essentially" the same. ... and if you were to show those "most people" a native app alongside a rich web app, they'd be hard pushed to know which was which.
By "rich web app" I mean something like Google Docs.
It's all very well to shout "IT'S NO DIFFERENT TO A MAINFRAME" every time cloud computing is mentioned -- but in terms of user experience it's a world of differe
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Indeed, in terms of user experience it is a world of difference between the cirppled Google Docs word-processor interface and what OpenOffice Write can offer.
I hate webapps of today. They offer half of the functionality of real applications and the only "features" they have is that you have your data in an external server.
I think that's a fair statement. If you're using the advanced features of a local word processor, the current crop of web apps probably don't have them. As it happens, I have no use for those advanced features -- in fact they'd probably clutter up the UI without offering me anything I need -- but that's fine, different people have different needs.
I have Word and Excel installed on my laptop, but for personal use I prefer Google Docs word processor and spreadsheet. The features that are missing are features
Re: (Score:2)
Because it's incomplete & unreleased. Until it's released, we can dream of all the AWESOME features it's going to have, like free, on-demand hookers and a beer tap.
Then we'll actually see it and realize that, functionally, it's just another web browser. But single-use devices are *awesome* when they're open source. Not like those locked-down one-trick ponies Apple sells at all.
Re: (Score:2)
Because you can cut yourself if you use it.
Last week? (Score:2)
What's to love? (Score:2)
Why wouldn't users love that?
Probably because adding Chrome OS to the iPad doesn't add anything.
I'm all in favor of running something other than iOS on an iPad, but that's because I think it could be running a more robust OS (OS X, Linux, or Windows, to name a few). Running Chrome OS isn't much better than running iOS, and probably worse, because there aren't as many apps.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
1) iOS has a file manager. Complete with rm, cp, mv etc.
2) iOS can run whatever you want. It just has to be compiled for ARM. If you want a GUI, it has to use the included GUI toolkit, or OpenGL.
3) Has nothing to do with the OS.
4) Sure you can. ps is there, as is top, etc.
Your problem is that Apple doesn't want you to (trivially) access any of these things. That doesn't mean that iOS doesn't have them. They're easily available if you jailbreak. And you're going to have to do more than jailbreak to ru
the Wrath of Jobs (Score:2)
Thanks for the video but (Score:2)
what the fuck are you on about ?
users (Score:2)
Why wouldn't users love that?
Because (non-geek) users care mostly about being able to use the thing. Freedom, Free Software, "cutting edge" (aka "half of the stuff doesn't work yet) and other concerns like that take a distant second to turning it on and having whatever it is you need ready and waiting in front of you.
Geek people simply don't get what users want, and that's why "Linx on the desktop" won't happen for another 10 years. And that's why the iPhod, not the Nomad, is the #1 MP3 player. Why iPhones catch the headlines, not Andr
Like Liberace (Score:2)
looks a bit pokey (Score:2)
Nerds are not everybody (Score:2)
Chromium state? (Score:2)
Hexxeh was able to put Chrome OS on an iPad because the open source code for the operating system is available in its Chromium state
I am unfamiliar with the term "Chromium state". If more open source code was available in a Chromium state, could we install it on ipads? Is there something about this state that makes it easier to compile the source code for ipads?
Re: (Score:2)
Chrome OS. Not the Chrome Browser.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Flippin'....::slaps self::
Does it say if it runs better than the version of iOS that comes with the iPad?
Re: (Score:2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGECJP3phyY [youtube.com]
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
They are iPad owners.
Their souls have long since been eaten and shat out.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Are you implying Chrome OS eats shit? :p
Re: (Score:2)
It is at least eleventy-dozen times better than anything created in the next ten years, starting tomorrow.
Re: (Score:2)
Considering it's running on a computer without a keyboard or mouse, that sounds like a good fit.
Re: (Score:2)
Why not turn your iPod Touch into a web server?
Re: (Score:2)
Why not turn your iPod Touch into a web server?
I've been known to turn my Android phone into a web server. There's an app that lets you compose SMS messages in your desktop web browser.
I'm sure there's lots of other reasons you might want to contact your phone over HTTP.
Re: (Score:2)
Looks like somebody's confusing "robustness" with "huge set of infrequently-used features." :(
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Yea, cause printing is something you would never want to do from a computer. We should inform Apple that way they don't implement it in 4.2. They seem to be working on it for nothing.
Although you are right. A "feature" (LMAO at printing being a "feature") does fit into the "infrequently-used" category when it is not even present.
Re: (Score:2)
Robust: you keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.
Robust, adj. Sturdy in construction. Unlikely to break.
A hammer is robust. A Swiss Army Knife is not. A hammer does only one thing, but it doesn't break while doing it. A Swiss Army Knife can do lots of things, but it will break if you try to use it as a hammer, and honestly, it'll probably break if you try to use it seriously as a screwdriver, scissors, or knife too.
Say what you like about iOS's feature set, but it's pre