Android

Android Running On iPhone 3G

Sébastien Page ∙ May 7, 2010

A couple weeks ago, iPhone hacker and Dev Team member PlanetBeing made the headlines when he successfully ran Android on an iPhone 2G.

With the help of other developers, PlanetBeing is back at it, this time showing us Android running on an iPhone 3G. In an article published on PC World, he explains the hack has come a long way since its initial release.

Now you can use the Android OS to browse the web and run any application that does not require audio support, as well as send and receive SMS text messages over the cell phone radio. [...]

We've also made several other improvements to the original port in this version. Along with many under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes, the Wi-Fi driver has been fleshed out with all the Android-specific extensions, making it more stable and reliable. We've also added an Android icon to the boot menu to make it more easily accessible.

If you feel up to the task, instructions on how to do this yourself will be published soon.

While this is still very buggy, PlanetBeing hopes to be able to release a stable and "usable" version of Android for your iPhone 2G or 3G soon. Will keep you posted!

[via Linux on iPhone]

How to Install Android On iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

Last week I posted about iPhone hacker PlanetBeing who successfully installed Android on an iPhone 2G. For those of you who would like to replicate this hack, Android A Lot has written a very detailed tutorial on how to install Android on an iPhone 2G.

Installing Android on a jailbroken iPhone is not for the faint of heart. It involves quite a few steps and if you don't have basic technical knowledge, I suggest you stay away from it. If you think you're up to the task, then head over to Android A Lot to read the detailed tutorial.

Additionally, you might find this video guide to installing Android on iPhone pretty useful. Note that this hack is for iPhone 2G only. As usual when messing around hacks live this one, understand you're doing this at your own risks.

If you decide to install Android on your iPhone, please share the results with us in the comments.

Android On The iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

Dev Team member PlanetBeing successfully ported a debug version of Android to an iPhone 2G.

The iPhone is set up with a dual-boot configuration. At the beginning of the video, you can see it running iPhone OS, but then PlanetBeing successfully boots Linux of his iPhone. This video shows the full boot process and PlanetBeing using Android for Internet browsing, text messaging, etc...

On his blog, PlanetBeing says:

It should be pretty simple to port forward to the iPhone 3G. The 3GS will take more work. Hopefully with all this groundwork laid out, we can make Android a real alternative or supplement for iPhone users. Maybe we can finally get Flash. ;)

Feel like having Android run on your iPhone too? You can download the pre-built images and sources here. I suggest you do not try this unless you really know what you're doing.

Anyone will give this a shot?

How does the first Google Android phone compare to the iPhone?

Sébastien Page ∙ October 8, 2008

There was a pretty good article yesterday on the NY Times about how Android will compare to the iPhone. The writer, Tim Haddock, actually compares the first Google Android phone, the G1, to the iPhone. Here are some interesting points about the G1 worth looking at:

touchscreen - just like the iPhone, except it doesn't support multi-touch trackball flip-out Qwerty keyboard - business users will like that removable batteries - I'm jealous 3-megapixel camera - I'm even more jealous 25% thicker and nearly 20% heavier than the iPhone 3G - that's big! no headset jack! - how am I supposed to listen to music with that? You'll need a special headphone adapter to connect to its proprietary design. maximum memory slot of 8GB - haha. no sync capability with iTunes or even desktop computer at all! apps available via Android Market - much better than the highly restricted App Store.

The G1 launches on October 22 and will cover only 22 markets in the US, due to T-Mobile 3G poor 3G coverage. This is supposed to improve with time. For information, AT&T's 3G network covers more than 275 markets.

Although I am very excited about Google Android, I will not be rushing to buy the new G1. I will wait a few months (years?) until Android is available on other phones and offers more to me than these poor features.

You may read the full article here.