I’m pleased to announce that the Linux 2.6 kernel has been ported to Apple’s iPhone platform, with support for the first and second generation iPhones as well as the first generation iPod touch. This is a rough first draft of the port, and many drivers are still missing, but it’s enough that a real alternative operating system is running on the iPhone.

“Planetbeing” of iPhone devteam member, the person who is responsible for porting Linux over to iPhone.

This version of Linux on iPhone has:
1. Framebuffer driver
2. Serial driver
3. Serial over USB driver
4. Interrupts, MMU, clock, etc.

What is not present:
1. Write support for the NAND
2. Wireless networking
3. Touchscreen
4. Sound
5. Accelerometer
6. Baseband support

Finally, an alternative operating system for iPhone. Though still in its nascent stage, this looks promising. What’s more, true to the spirit of free software, you can also contribute in creating this alternative OS for iPhone. Go here if you want to help Planetbeingand his team:

Some other key links:

Instructions for porting.
Download
See a video demonstration of how this works here.

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Should this be ported to G1 also? Tell us what you think.

Update: Android on iPhone? Seems so. Given that the Android OS is based on the Linux kernel itself. What’s more is that Planebeing himself seems to be interested in working with people experienced in the Android OS.